MarkC

I have the Old Air system in my 66 convertible with the original GM compressor converted to the 134 freon. The front seal on the compressor is bad. Old Air offers a rebuilt GM for $225 plus I need a new drier. The tech at Old Air recommended a new Sanden which would require new hoses and a new bracket. The Sanden does not have a front seal and he says they are trouble free. They are much lighter and only pull 3 to 4 hp. They GM pulls 12 hp. They offer them in black, aluminum, polished alum and chrome. The black and the alum are $195 new.

I can't decide which way to go. I like the idea of having a more efficient, lighter trouble free compressor but I don't want to give up the original look. If I go with the Sanden, I like the idea of polished aluminum. The GM is less money and much easier to install but my real concern is the looks. I would probably use it more with the Sanden as you don't notice the drag on the engine as much. I guess I am leaning toward the Sanden but wanted some opinions on the choice. BTW, my car has R & P steering, 5 speed and many other non original goodies. Thanks

dplotkin

If we were talking about a daily driver that saw 5,000+ miles a year I would agree that the lighter, more efficient Sanden would be compelling. Consider how often you use the car with the A/C on before you go to all the adaptation trouble and aesthetic compromise.

Someone makes a modern compressor in a dimensionaly equivalent case that will match the original A6 fittings and mountings. It isn't exact but once sprayed black it will not stand out like a sore thumb.

All A6 front shafts sling some oil, or will after some time following seal replacement. I have many of these on many cars. The oil slinging is what keeps the seal wet. If it were my car I'd stay with the A6 & add a sling shield to protect the hood.

Dan

Tampa Jerry

I have a 66 and a 68. On my 68 factory A/C system I use a Sanden compressor with R-12. I updated the drier and fan and you could hang meat in my cabin. On the 66 I have a Vintage Air system with a Sanden which uses R-134. Both systems work very well. I have a 70 SS Chevelle with a A-6 compressor, updated valve and a crossflow condencer. The 70 works OK, but it is clearly not as cold or efficient as the Sanden set up. I am too old to be uncomfortable for the look of a stock compressor. I guess I will be changing the A-6 out in the Chevelle soon . Jerry

Mike Geary

I'll second Dan's comment about the new axial compressor that's a direct bolt-in replacement for the A6. Called the Pro6TEN.

Check out Old Air Products, Fort Worth. They have it for $345, which is not bad considering you don't have to change brackets.

I don't run one myself, but one of these days I'm going to get tired of messing with A6's and get one.

Just remember that if you're using R12, you'll probably need to drain the as-delivered oil out of the Pro6TEN since I expect it comes with ester oil for R134.

dplotkin

Not as efficient, yes, not as cold, absolutely false. There is more disinformation and lore out there about compressor, condenser and refrigerants than there is about gluten free foods. And I don't mean to be confrontational or argumentative, just an admirer of facts.


A healthy A6 in an otherwise properly evacuated and charged stock system, with correct airflow over the condenser and evaporator will produce meat locker cold using R12 OR 134-A. I have the cars & thermometers to prove it. A modern compressor will not make your car colder. The transfer of heat and removal of water from air, which is all the system can accomplish, is a function of pumping ability of the compressor through an air free/leak free/moisture free circuit between the two heat exchangers in the system, along with properly operating expansion valve and controls, whether STV, POA cycling t-stat or Orifice tube.


If your system is not as cold as another, it's because the system has a fault or faults and not because of the era of its design. GM was very aware of how much cooling was necessary to be effective in a car and the original A6 systems were quite up to the task.


Was the A6 heavy? Yes. Did it take up a lot of space? Yes. Do they make a mess with oil spray? Yes. Are they ugly? yes. Are they harder to find and/or fix nowadays? Yes.


I agree with you those are sufficient reasons to change to a modern unit. Does an A6 cool with the best of them? Absolutely!


Sorry for the rant. I have a lot of time, money & study invested in my understanding of antique automotive air conditioning systems.


Dan

MarkC

Thanks for the responses, I have put 12000 miles on this car since I got it 3 1/2 years ago. I use the car on a regular basis all year long. I talked to Old Air last summer and the other compressor mentioned was not offered. My A6 is on the 134 gas so switching to another compressor is not a problem. I am going to call them back in the next several days. Thanks

MarkC

I talked to Old Air and the PRO6TEN is the way to go. I can go with a plain alum finish, polished alum or chrome. Another question, are the fridgedare decals available? Thanks again for the suggestions.

Powershift

LICS has them. Probably CC, Zip, Paragon also.

Larry

MarkC

Thanks

MarkC

I received the PRO6TEN compressor and a new drier. I got the natural finish and plan to paint it black. I don't know if I am going to bother with the decal as there is a ridge where the decal goes. If anyone has a picture of the compressor with the decal, please post it. I am hoping to have it on the car by the end of January.

Question, any suggestions on a primer for aluminum and should I go with satin or flat black. Once I get it on the car, I'll post some pictures and give an opinion on the performance. I appreciate the suggestions and Merry Christmas.

Mike Geary

I would just clean it with acetone, scuff it with a gray scotchbrite pad and give it 2 light coats of Krylon 1613 semi-flat black.

dplotkin

Exactly. Skip the decal, in my opinion. Brings nothing to the party.


Merry Christmas/Happy New Year


Dan

MarkC

I got the new PRO6TEN installed yesterday. here is a picture.

kingwoodvette

Looks like a good decision to me! Great job.

Powershift

Very nice……..

Thanks for the feedback.

Larry

C2Racer

That looks great and as this is next on my list please tell us why you picked this compressor? Does this unit not have a front seal to start leaking? Also, who made the hoses for it and I am assuming you are using 134? Lastly how does it work? Thanks

Steve

MarkC

Old Air now offers three choices for a compressor. My system is over 10 years old and the front seal on the rebuilt GM compressor started leaking. I could have gotten another rebuilt GM, a Sanden or this one. Old Air says this compressor is trouble free and requires 3-4 hp. The GM pulls 12hp. This compressor fit in my old brackets and uses the same hoses where the Sanden required new hoses and brackets. It really cools well however I have a vent hose leak that I need to get fixed on the driver's side. It works great and yes it is 134 gas. If I was putting in a new system I would probably go with the Sanden.

Powershift

Another option is a NEW a-6 compressor. There is a company that is making them again with a few improvements over the original design. Company name is ALMA Products Company in Michigan.

Larry

Rustman

Mark

So its been about a year since you installed your PRO6TEN compressor and I was wondering how it worked out and if given the chance, would you do it again?

MarkC

I took a nice ride last Sunday and ran it for the last 30 minutes. It works great and I have had no issues. This is the first time since last year I have used the a/c. If I was installing a/c on a car I would go with the Sanden as it is smaller. Since it hooked up to my hoses and used the same bracket, I went with the Pro6ten. No regrets.