[C2] Air Conditioning Option
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Arlington TX
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Air Conditioning Option
Most of you probably already know this but it just dawned on me. In the C2 series, you could only get air conditioning if the big block had hydraulic lifters. Is this true, and ,if so, why? And it may be true for small block also.
Race Director
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Larry
Burning Brakes
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From: Colorado Springs CO
As to the why. Availability was probably limited to hydraulic lifter engines after 1965 because of 1. low demand, 2. RPM range of hydraulic lifter engines. For instance in 64-65 the 327 365 horse solid lifter engine could be ordered with AC. I think fewer than 500 were ordered over that two year period. The compressor used on Corvette engines had a larger diameter pulley 6-3/8 vs the standard Corvette 5-5/8 to reduce the compressor RPM at higher engine RPM. Other GM divisions used smaller pulleys than the Corvette. At idle the solid lifter engine usually had a higher idle RPM so the bigger pulley RPM reduction was canceled out at idle. The hydraulic upper RPM range is around 5,500 vs solids at 6,200. Some agriculture applications used pulleys as large as 7 inches on the A6 compressor.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,003
Likes: 1,056
From: Arlington TX
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If it has to do with high RPM, then why are the small blocks excluded?
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Burning Brakes
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From: Colorado Springs CO
Not sure I understand the question as to the small blocks being excluded. They were not in 64-65 when solid lifter engines were produced having A/C with a larger pulley on the compressor. No Chevrolet factory small block was available with solid lifters after 65 until the late intro of the 67 Z28 302 which was not available with A/C. The 70-71 LT1 350 solid lifter was not available with A/C. It was 1972 before the LT1 350 could be ordered with A/C, the redline was reduced and the compressor pulley was the standard one. Throwing drive belts, grenading compressors, and low production numbers all contributed to Chevrolet not offering solid lifter engines with A/C. The hydraulic lifter L79 with A/C at high RPM could throw belts or grenade the compressor if the valves didn't float first. I'm sure warranty claims and the manufacturer wanting the user experience to be positive are part of the mix also.