84 Rab: How to get to Thermostat Housing (air conditioning compressor in way)

[livinginthepast]

Hi there,

I'm trying to remove the thermostat housing on my 84 Rabbit. The air conditioning is in the way of the bottom bolt and I'll be damned if I can figure out how to get the air conditioning pump out of the way.

Can someone suggest the easiest way of getting at the thermostat?

Thank you.

[boschmann]

If you want to remove the main housing from the engine block the A/C must come off. I will assume you have the factory installed round compressor. The compressor has two 8mm hex bolts at the pivot points nearest the engine. They are a bit of a pain to get to.

[gotchills]

I was just reading about that very thing in the Chilton repair Manual that I checked out of the local library (although you can read it while you are there, too.)

I was trying to understand the workings of the cooling system at the time so I could figure out how to wire a switch that is there. If I 'd known it would be useful information at the time, I would have made an effort to retain the information.... but who knew?????

It was very specific. Hope this helps.
I gotchills.

[1badwgn]

Originally Posted by boschmann

If you want to remove the main housing from the engine block the A/C must come off. I will assume you have the factory installed round compressor. The compressor has two 8mm hex bolts at the pivot points nearest the engine. They are a bit of a pain to get to.

To elaborate: If your 83 - 84 Rabbit was made in the U.S. (square headlights), it will most almost certainly have a York compressor on-board. These were trash and a very big pain for any type of work except changing your oil. The York's are the standup square models. If that is the type you have, you will have to remove the entire unit and bracket. The compressor is bolted to the plate underneath. Remove those, then your alternator and then the bracket. Good luck.