68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

[Frederick W.]

I am in the process of replacing my factory AC on my 68 vert 327 car. I am interested in the configuration of components under the hood, and in particular I don't have a bracket for the idle stop solenoid.
I have a repro solenoid, but no bracket to attach to the quadrajet.

If anyone can post a pic of this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

I am in the process of replacing my factory AC on my 68 vert 327 car. I am interested in the configuration of components under the hood, and in particular I don't have a bracket for the idle stop solenoid.
I have a repro solenoid, but no bracket to attach to the quadrajet.

If anyone can post a pic of this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
Fred

Fred------


The solenoids are pretty easy to find. The brackets, not so easy.

The solenoid mount is actually a 2 piece affair. There is a lower bracket, GM #3940915, and and upper clamp, GM #3940917.

Other Chevrolet cars used the solenoid. However, the above-referenced bracket and clamp were Corvette-only. That greatly reduces the field of donor cars.

I think some fellow that advertises in the Driveline is reproducing the even rarer bracket and clamp for the 3X2 pieces. However, I don't know if he's also doing the bracket and clamp for Rochester Q-Jet applications.

You could probably get a good used bracket and clamp from Pacific Corvette but I'd expect to pay a pretty dear price IF they have them.

[Frederick W.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Thanks Joe,

sounds like finding the bracket may take some time. I wonder how difficult it would be to fab?

I've also seen in the archives that the solenoid itself is a hard to find number 1114418 vs. and easier to find 1114421. And then some disagreement about whether the solenoid was installed at all on a 68. My car is a 327 ac with TH400.

I'll check out Driveline and Pacific Corvette, but paying through the nose for a bracket will be hard to swallow.

Still would love to see some pics if anyone actually has one of these brackets/solenoids on their car.

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

No information from a 68 air conditioned SB with turbo 400. I have a 70 SB with factory air and turbo 400. My 70 came with a QJ and did not come from the factory with the solenoid you are asking about.

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Turn your copy of MF Dobbins' 68-72 Corvette Fact Book to page 88 for a glimpse of the QJet solenoid & bracket...

I've been looking for one an original bracket/clamp for YEARS now as nobody is reproducing them that I've been able to find. The Holley tri-power bracket is being reproduced (be prepared to bend over) as Joe said.

And, I've had several of the Bay City carb bracket/clamp assys in my paws (I think the solenoid clamp is the same as QJet). But, I've never caught up with a real McCoy bracket/clamp assy for either the QJet or Holley single 4-Bbl carb systems...

At the carb shops, the older guys know WELL what this part is but they don't have 'em. Why?

Well, the QJet bracket mounted beneath the front RH side QJet carb to manifold mounting bolt. To get the carb off the car (scrap yard supply sources), the bracket and solenoid went swinging in the breeze when the carb was pulled to walk out of the yard...

You have to find an untouched '68-69 that's just come into the scrap yard with its carb & solenoid setup intact--FAT CHANCE!!!

There are aftermarket solenoids & brackets available, but they don't visually resemble the factory original setup at all...

[Jimmy B.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

I got one off a Chevelle 4 bbl and took it along wth my AIM drawing to a good shop here. With a little cutting and welding they made it work (I also took them an intake manifold with my carb bolted to it for mock up purposes) and it has the clamp that goes around the solenoid on it. I doubt a judge will know the difference unless he/she really know what to look for.

With the air cleaner on I dare you to see the difference! And it works!

Jim

[Frederick W.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Great idea. Do you know what cars came with the bracket you used as a base to modify?
Any pics?

thanks!
Fred

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Fred,
Your profile shows you have a 327/300 '68. Are you sure you need the solenoid? On page 18 of Dobbins book is a picture of your engine w/air has no solenoid. My '69 with the same configuration has no solenoid. I would argue that the 300 hp didn't get this but the 350 hp did. I would check further before you go nuts trying to find one. My Dobbins (third edition) book has a good look at the bracket/solenoid on page 71 but this is for a '69 350 hp car, not 300.
Jeff

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Fred,
Your profile shows you have a 327/300 '68. Are you sure you need the solenoid? On page 18 of Dobbins book is a picture of your engine w/air has no solenoid. My '69 with the same configuration has no solenoid. I would argue that the 300 hp didn't get this but the 350 hp did. I would check further before you go nuts trying to find one. My Dobbins (third edition) book has a good look at the bracket/solenoid on page 71 but this is for a '69 350 hp car, not 300.
Jeff

Jeff------

The 1969 350 hp used the same bracket and clamp as the 300 hp.

[Frederick W.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Not entirely sure I need it for my 68 327/300 w/TH400 and ac.
Seems to be different opinions on the subject.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Joe,
I may be going out on a limb here but I know that the 300 hp did not use the solenoid/bracket. My '69 had neither the hardware or the wire going to it. Page C7 of the C60 section of the '69 AIM shows the parts on models "19000 (RPO L36-L46 & L68 W/RPO M20-M21". It shows an additional wire coming from the compressor to the solenoid which mine does not have. I would bet tat the '68 was the same.
Jeff

[Dale C.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Fred
Is that the setup you are looking for? This is from my 68 BB with A/C. I think that bolt in the front of the picture should be a Phillips head screw.
Dale

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

Also see page C60, C5 and C6 for model numbers application. Again, I'm looking at the '69 AIM so look at the '68 AIM to compare.
Jeff

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

If you found an original from a Chevelle, why would you have to have it modified? Methinks the setup was the same for all QJet equipped Chevy cars that were optioned to require the idle-stop solenoid...

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 A/C configuration- Idle Stop Solenoid

That's the bracket/clamp, but the solenoid looks 'odd'... I remember originals NOT having the circular guard/extension around the plunger shaft AND having a rubber cover over the electrical terminal with the terminal extending at right angle to the body of the solenoid.