A/C with Radial 3 compressor
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
A/C with Radial 3 compressor
Hey vetters
I am curious if using the A/C and high freeway speeds
70+ mph damages the late model C3 Radial compressors.
I know the old Axial 4 compressors are fine.
Any real world experiences?
I am curious if using the A/C and high freeway speeds
70+ mph damages the late model C3 Radial compressors.
I know the old Axial 4 compressors are fine.
Any real world experiences?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
About the only issue I've heard of with the R4 compressor is that as the miles pile up as well as age, it tends to sling lubricating oil from the front seal. There are shields made to keep the oil confined you can buy from Corvette Central, Eckler's, etc., but that doesn't solve that issue...only covers it up.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,013
Likes: 2,253
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
They do fine..just noisy suckers!!
And they did slobber a little.
Must be a good reason why they don't use them anymore!
JIM
And they did slobber a little.
Must be a good reason why they don't use them anymore!
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I thought 1 of the reasons that a/c was not avialable on some of the highest performance cars of the late 60s was the fact that the A6 compressor could not stand high rpm use? The R4 is probably OK at speed, however most of the cars it came on had overdrive transmissions and/or high axle ratios.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
The LT-1 was initially not avail. w/ A/C because the factory was "afraid the high winding LT-1 would spin the belt off." That's close if not verbatim.
The A6 was designed to leak at little at the front for shaft lube according to a/c experts.
The A6 was designed to leak at little at the front for shaft lube according to a/c experts.
