A/C compressors
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
A/C compressors
Ok, so when I was down at the swap meet on Saturday, I saw a few cars down there with A/C on them, and I noticed that quite a few cars with A/C had a short compressor, much shorter than the Frigidaire compressor that came on my '74.
What I'm curious to know is, has anyone tried to swap out their A/C Compressor to one of the shorter style A/C compressors with any results (good or bad)? We might end up changing ours out to give us clearance with different heads and taller valve covers; I don't relish giving up A/C here in California if we make that change.
What I'm curious to know is, has anyone tried to swap out their A/C Compressor to one of the shorter style A/C compressors with any results (good or bad)? We might end up changing ours out to give us clearance with different heads and taller valve covers; I don't relish giving up A/C here in California if we make that change.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Area Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
That's the Harrison R4...it was introduced to the Corvette line in '77. It uses less HP than the old A6, but it is supposedly somewhat less powerful.
the old style A6(long) was built to cool and very rebuildable, the newer style R4 (short)was kind of like the bic lighter made to throw away when bad, but lighter and as said uses less hp.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Yes, you could change the long heavy A6 to the rotary R4 which is about 15 lbs. w/ brackets. A new R4 is rec.
Most A6s are 12.6 c.i. except for Corvette & Corvair which used 10.8 c.i. models. R4 is about 10 c.i. & was also used in El Dorados, etc.
I replaced the R4 with a ND 6P (8.2 C.I. & similiar to Sanden 508) which uses less HP. Note how the A/C lines go off to the side & then straight forward & back.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77ACs.JPG
Most A6s are 12.6 c.i. except for Corvette & Corvair which used 10.8 c.i. models. R4 is about 10 c.i. & was also used in El Dorados, etc.
I replaced the R4 with a ND 6P (8.2 C.I. & similiar to Sanden 508) which uses less HP. Note how the A/C lines go off to the side & then straight forward & back.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77ACs.JPG
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Excellent...
After doing a little bit of reading on Vintage Air's website, I might just go with a Sanden compressor versus the huge Frigidaire that I've got in there now. I'm just hoping I don't have to go through and replace the condensor or evaporator when I make the change over...
Thanks all who have replied, as A/C is something I've basically been told not to touch and have someone else do it due to the R12 issues...
After doing a little bit of reading on Vintage Air's website, I might just go with a Sanden compressor versus the huge Frigidaire that I've got in there now. I'm just hoping I don't have to go through and replace the condensor or evaporator when I make the change over...
Thanks all who have replied, as A/C is something I've basically been told not to touch and have someone else do it due to the R12 issues...
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Vintage Air makes brackets to mount Sanden A/C Compressors, since they primarily use Sanden compressors in their kits. I'd start with them.
There may be others out there; I'm not entirely certain of them, since this is kind of my first venture into the world of automotive air conditioning.
There may be others out there; I'm not entirely certain of them, since this is kind of my first venture into the world of automotive air conditioning.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by Sprzout
Excellent...
... I'm just hoping I don't have to go through and replace the condensor or evaporator when I make the change over...
Thanks all who have replied, ...
... I'm just hoping I don't have to go through and replace the condensor or evaporator when I make the change over...
Thanks all who have replied, ...
& Max.A/C speed modified to allow all blower speeds & low changed to off. I need to avoid starting sentences w/ the only mods!
Mark OHSIXX w/a 72 was the only one on the forum I noticed w/ a Sanden before I did mine & he was happy w/ his.
Now there are others who could post.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
I am going to use an R4 in my car because of clearance (as mentioned above) and also am converting to serpentine belt. I have a rebuilt R4 compressor from a 94 Tahoe. I have read on this forum and others that the R4 cannot be reliably rebuilt. Is this truly a disposable as suggested? I have also heard that the failure mode for these compressors causes contamination of the system and replacement of condenser, evaporator and hoses.
Is this true and is my option to buy a new GM unit? My car is not complete and I would like to do this correctly the first time. Thanks.
Is this true and is my option to buy a new GM unit? My car is not complete and I would like to do this correctly the first time. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
BBShark
C3 R4
A new R4 can last 10+ years w/ very hard use, i.e. high power engine, vibs., very hard driver, etc.
When the R4 fails it normally does not damage the system. The orifice tube should be checked (sort of like a filter).
No comment on 94 Tahoe!
There are some compressors that do damage everything- look into Black Death. 94 Tahoe may not have the R4, but a similiar unit. If it contains teflon ...
The R4 is not easily rebuildable so some say a rebuilt might be noisy.
Some A/C experts are saying many R4 fail from a freon leak & therefore a lack of oil.
C3 R4
A new R4 can last 10+ years w/ very hard use, i.e. high power engine, vibs., very hard driver, etc.
When the R4 fails it normally does not damage the system. The orifice tube should be checked (sort of like a filter).
No comment on 94 Tahoe!
There are some compressors that do damage everything- look into Black Death. 94 Tahoe may not have the R4, but a similiar unit. If it contains teflon ...
The R4 is not easily rebuildable so some say a rebuilt might be noisy.
Some A/C experts are saying many R4 fail from a freon leak & therefore a lack of oil.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,422
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Compared to the R4 and later air conditioner compressors, the R6 is a little heavy. However, I think it is really the most substantial and powerful compressor. It was a 6 cylinder wobble plate compressor configuration. My understanding is that the compressor was of very good quality and reliability. It was made by Frigidaire, the GM subsidiary that had a reputation for excellent quality. The R6's were used by Mercedes Benz.
Because the Frigidaire line of products had a reputation for quality,reliabiltiy, and extended lifetime, GM decided to dismember this product line. In the US, the word Frigidaire was the word most people used for the word refrigerator. Getting ride of Frigidaire was in keeping with their long term plans to head GM towards bankruptcy.
Because the Frigidaire line of products had a reputation for quality,reliabiltiy, and extended lifetime, GM decided to dismember this product line. In the US, the word Frigidaire was the word most people used for the word refrigerator. Getting ride of Frigidaire was in keeping with their long term plans to head GM towards bankruptcy.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Here is a pic of my Sanden 508.
Last edited by OHSIXX; Mar 1, 2006 at 07:46 AM.
