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Hi guys, I have a '76 corvette and I'm trying to figure out if I have the correct compressor. I bought the car with everything for the A/C installed except no compressor. Upon further research there's 2 choices depending on build date? Does anyone know what my car needs? The VIN is 1Z37L6S436668. To further the confusion, I attached a pic of the ends of the hoses on my car that are supposed to attach to the compressor. Aren't those ends supposed to be connected to each other? I bought a compressor from a guy who sells used parts, but now I'm wondering if I bought the correct one. I'm 80% sure I bought an A6. Also, my car still has the original VIR if that helps at all... Thanks for your help!
As far as your question about the hose assembly, yes, normally those two fittings are connected by a center piece, creating a sort of manifold. The center connector has a hole in it, that a bolt goes through to attach the hose assemble to the compressor.
Somebody's done some work on that hose assembly. Besides missing the center connector, the hoses are attached using hose clamps. Originally, the hoses were attached using a swage type fitting. It's hard to say if that even is the OEM hose assembly.
Did the car come with any of the original compressor brackets, as the brackets are completely different for the 2 types of compressors. If you have the brackets, post a picture of them.
Based on how late your VIN is, I would guess that it came with the radial R4 compressor, but that's only a guess. Unfortunately, 76 was a year with a lot of running changes, and there doesn't seem to be much information available about when each change took place.
As far as your question about the hose assembly, yes, normally those two fittings are connected by a center piece, creating a sort of manifold. The center connector has a hole in it, that a bolt goes through to attach the hose assemble to the compressor.
Somebody's done some work on that hose assembly. Besides missing the center connector, the hoses are attached using hose clamps. Originally, the hoses were attached using a swage type fitting. It's hard to say if that even is the OEM hose assembly.
Did the car come with any of the original compressor brackets, as the brackets are completely different for the 2 types of compressors. If you have the brackets, post a picture of them.
Based on how late your VIN is, I would guess that it came with the radial R4 compressor, but that's only a guess. Unfortunately, 76 was a year with a lot of running changes, and there doesn't seem to be much information available about when each change took place.
Thanks for your info. I'll get pics of my compressor when I get a chance. The compressor came already mounted on brackets. My car came with no brackets of any sort. Regardless of what my car came with, would either compressor work so long as I have the correct brackets and belt? Because I don't really care about it being "correct" as long as it works.
Also, I bought that hose from the guy just in case I needed it. Perhaps I'll swap it out just to be sure. I was hoping to avoid that because getting to the recieve/drier looks like a PAIN.
Tom,
Google the part #'s and see what comes up? a while back (20 years) I walked into a dealer and he looked into inventory and had my brackets for a 74 Chevelle. Also someone here got me into the GM inventory, and they were more than happy to get things off their list. Just a shot in the dark.
1976 AC help.. R4 or A6 Compressor??
