If you can’t find one, you could just roll down the windows......
The custom bracket would be worth more than the car.
Do you think you would have a similar sourcing problem if it were an American made (Ford, GM, Chrysler) 1988 vehicle...probable not.
If you have a compressor, go and talk with a local welding/fab shop.
I’d say you will have to possible options. Either the manufacturer of the after market compressor will have a bracket or you are going to need to find a fab shop that will make you one. In any case, parts for a 1988 car are going to be scarce. I’ve had good luck finding parts for my old Taco at Rockauto.com.
The faster you go the better they work.
; Also on line to various pick and pull companies.
Finally...a good workshop can make you a bracket.
Google your question with car model....I am sure someone already solved the problem and posted a U-Tube video about it.
Good luck.
Junk Yard. Find one that looks “right”. Then find a Machinist / machine shop to help you make it fit.
Of course in 2016 America, finding the machine shop will probably be harder than finding the elusive part.
In my America (circa 1960) half the people I knew had a lathe, mill and welding torches in their basement or garage.
To replace the OEM AC with something from a different vehicle, you would need to find one that will run with your current components. Anything designed to the same specs, including the electrical connections, will essentially be the same compressor.
If you insist on putting a non-oem framed compressor in there, then buy some aluminum and make your own plates and brackets. McMaster.com will have everything you need. Don’t be surprised when you have to replace the condenser, lines, expansion valve, evaporator, dryer, electrical connectors and belts while you’re at it.
If you think all the remans are junk, it’s probably because the first and second reman you put in wasn’t done properly. There may have been debris or other contaminants in the system that were then re-introduced to your reman compressors and those were scrapped in short order.
If you are having repeated AC failures, take it to a Honda service place and it will be done properly with a warranty. Yes, it’s going to be painful but it’ll be done right and if it fails, they have to eat it. Chances are it’ll run for at least 50k miles without any issue.
By a couple of junk stock brackets and start cutting. And perhaps welding.
In my day I fabricated many car modifications like you spoke of.
Age has stopped me from doing things like that now.
Can’t help you here, but I do miss my 1987 Honda Prelude SI.
What a great car that was, had it for 14 years.
300K miles.
I'd stick to Honda lineage / their AC vendors if you can't find a 88' part. Look for relatively similar houses and or sensor locations etc. The bracket, you may get lucky or...
You will end up with a hybrid bracket, one that melds the new AC brackets mounting holes with your old brackets design intent to attach the entire assembly to the engine block.
Depending upon the materials, you might be able to cobble these two brackets together to form one that works ( Cut, machine, weld etc ) or you may want to try a plywood mock-up, try it, and then have it made or make it yourself.
I have made brackets etc out of cardboard mockups back in the day for other applications, but cardboard won't hold anything in place while your mocking things up in this application.
Good luck!
Any competent machine/sheet metal shop in your are could make one, I’m sure.
Have you checked all the Honda forums on the InterWebs?
How about some good old Yankee Engineering? Can you bend and cut metal? It seems that you could possibly Reverse Engineer one, give the right dimensions and a lot of practice.
If this is a common problem, perhaps there is a AC compressor that you can get that actually fits that spot without any modifications...........................
Trade it in.
Rebuild the original, especially since you’re restoring it. Don’t buy a cheap rebuild—get a good one. This will be far better than trying to make an alternate compressor fit.
90 Honda Prelude SI 4WS A/C AC Air Conditioning Tensioner Pulley Bracket Mount
Forty bucks.
I’m Celerity.
If you’re on the Honda forums, you may have seen me before, or heard of me.
I’m no joke when it comes to Hondas.
Your factory A/C compressor should be cooling that car the same as my GMC does to it.
If it’s compressing at all, and it all works - then what you’re looking for is a change or alteration in your refrigerant.
Because that compressor should be doing the trick.
The B20a3 uses the same bracket as just about all of them, and the B20 is of course the CRV. If you’re not happy with the old stuff, perhaps you can just upgrade ?