What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

[Donald A.]

I posted about the extra parts I was trying to buy from seller that had a 1970 LS-5 parts engine.

Was as able to make a deal on the PS pump/pulley.

The other part I'm interested in is the original AC compressor.

Condition is unknown but the engine had only 7k miles when the parts were taken out of service.

Ive No idea what this is worth as a good core.

Education please

thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

I posted about the extra parts I was trying to buy from seller that had a 1970 LS-5 parts engine.

Was as able to make a deal on the PS pump/pulley.

The other part I'm interested in is the original AC compressor.

Condition is unknown but the engine had only 7k miles when the parts were taken out of service.

Ive No idea what this is worth as a good core.

Education please

thanks

Don-----


Does the compressor have an original Frigidaire foil label on it with the part number 5910740?

[Donald A.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Joe, See pics. Look forward to yours and others thoughts. Again I know nothing. My car is missing all AC parts in engine compartment

I don't have any plans to put AC back on right now but this opportunity popped up so wondering if I should collect the parts.

Regards

[Harry S.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Joe, See pics. Look forward to yours and others thoughts. Again I know nothing. My car is missing all AC parts in engine compartment

I don't have any plans to put AC back on right now but this opportunity popped up so wondering if I should collect the parts.

Regards

Don, others will chime in about the value but get the muffler, the old hoses, the clamps, etc Looking for those small items will be very expensive in the future. Also, is the compressor bracket unique?

I'm helping a buddy look for one clamp for his 63 A/C system (the green clamp that holds the expansion valve J-hook to the pipe) and we've been looking for years without luck.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Joe, See pics. Look forward to yours and others thoughts. Again I know nothing. My car is missing all AC parts in engine compartment

I don't have any plans to put AC back on right now but this opportunity popped up so wondering if I should collect the parts.

Regards

Don------


It's an original compressor for the 1970 big block application. If I were in need of such a part and wanted to maintain absolute originality, I'd be very tempted to pay a premium for it. I really don't know what that would be since I don't involve myself in the used A/C components market. However, if I were interested, I'd probably be willing to pay 100-200 bucks. The other components pictured would be a real bonus.

[Terry M.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Don,

You should have by now decided on your goals for the car. If judging is in y our future keep this in mind:
The date on that compressor label is March ?? of 1969 = Code: 03??91. That is too early for any 1970 Corvette. Not visible in the pictures will be a date on the high pressure hose going to the condenser. Those dates will cost some points during judging -- not a lot, but some. On the other hand, given the chances of finding correctly dated old parts, you might want to snag these while you can, but again that will depend on your goals for the car.

[Norm C.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Don,,, Terry is far more qualified than I am,,,, but as an original owner of a 72 with AC,,,, I think you will find that the hoses attached to the mounting block have been replaced.

The original clamps used at the factory were the Saginaw crimps,,, that is, the crimps ran with the hoses rather than around the hoses. Secondly, the correct hose mount block on the back of the compressor was with 90 degree corners,,, almost square on the end and about 3in long, similar to what you show in pic 2. Also due to the extreme pressure they also did not use hose clamps which you can see in pic 3. The after market hose mount looking at it from the back of the compressor was a figure eight look to it which it appears to be in pic 3 where you can see the blue cover appears to be round over each port. But with that in mind... totally agree with others,,, if you have future plans to have it judged, hold on to what you have or can get now. Original early C3 AC parts are very tough to come by!! Good luck!!! Norm

If anyone out there knows of any AC restoration shop using the Saginaw clamps.... please chime in!! ?????? Norm

[Terry M.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Don,,, Terry is far more qualified than I am,,,, but as an original owner of a 72 with AC,,,, I think you will find that the hoses attached to the mounting block have been replaced.

The original clamps used at the factory were the Saginaw crimps,,, that is, the crimps ran with the hoses rather than around the hoses. Secondly, the correct hose mount block on the back of the compressor was with 90 degree corners,,, almost square on the end and about 3in long, similar to what you show in pic 2. Also due to the extreme pressure they also did not use hose clamps which you can see in pic 3. The after market hose mount looking at it from the back of the compressor was a figure eight look to it which it appears to be in pic 3 where you can see the blue cover appears to be round over each port. But with that in mind... totally agree with others,,, if you have future plans to have it judged, hold on to what you have or can get now. Original early C3 AC parts are very tough to come by!! Good luck!!! Norm

If anyone out there knows of any AC restoration shop using the Saginaw clamps.... please chime in!! ?????? Norm

Good catch Norm. I was focusing on the date, and missed a lot of what you found. 1968 and early 1969 AC systems had the clamps you refer to, but by 1970 model year the hoses were all crimped. Good catch in the manifold blocks in photos two and three are different items, and the one shown in photo three is a later service replacement or aftermarket, as you mention. Looks like one of the pipes in photo two is kinked, and straightening that out will be problematic at best. Judging by the condition of the compressor one has to wonder about how it has been stored and if it is functional. If you can get it for a core price, and the date code doesn't bother you, then go for it, but those hoses are not worth going after IMO.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Good catch Norm. I was focusing on the date, and missed a lot of what you found. 1968 and early 1969 AC systems had the clamps you refer to, but by 1970 model year the hoses were all crimped. Good catch in the manifold blocks in photos two and three are different items, and the one shown in photo three is a later service replacement or aftermarket, as you mention. Looks like one of the pipes in photo two is kinked, and straightening that out will be problematic at best. Judging by the condition of the compressor one has to wonder about how it has been stored and if it is functional. If you can get it for a core price, and the date code doesn't bother you, then go for it, but those hoses are not worth going after IMO.

Terry------


I didn't pay any attention to the date. I'm much more of a configuration guy than a correct date guy. The fact that the compressor is the original part number for the application and was manufactured about the right time, ensures that its configuration is correct. That might not be the case with other cores, especially with respect to the clutch/pulley. I would never plan on using this compressor as-is. I would consider it just a core and it would have to be rebuilt.

[Terry M.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Terry------


I didn't pay any attention to the date. I'm much more of a configuration guy than a correct date guy. The fact that the compressor is the original part number for the application and was manufactured about the right time, ensures that its configuration is correct. That might not be the case with other cores, especially with respect to the clutch/pulley. I would never plan on using this compressor as-is. I would consider it just a core and it would have to be rebuilt.

Funny what catches our eyes is so different. A good reason to have so many eyes looking at it. Even approaching it from different perspectives we both see it as core value.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Funny what catches our eyes is so different. A good reason to have so many eyes looking at it. Even approaching it from different perspectives we both see it as core value.

Terry-------


Actually, if I were trying to restore an A/C system on a 1970 Corvette and exact configuration was not an issue, I'd go with a NEW A-4 compressor. Like new carburetors, there's nothing like a new A/C compressor. New A-4 compressors are still available.

[Donald A.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Thanks for all the information. Ok, so this is a core and worth about say $200. Would that be a fair price? Also, if I was starting from scratch are not all correct parts and components currently available to purchase new? Again. Trying to determine if I need to buy these original parts or not worry about it.

Regards

[Joe L.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Thanks for all the information. Ok, so this is a core and worth about say $200. Would that be a fair price? Also, if I was starting from scratch are not all correct parts and components currently available to purchase new? Again. Trying to determine if I need to buy these original parts or not worry about it.

Regards

Don------


I would say that $200 would be absolutely top dollar for this compressor. It's right at the extreme upper end of what it would be worth. And, its value is entirely based on maintaining exact original configuration. Given that the date on it doesn't work for your car, I'd say that relegates the value of it to you at the $100 end. Of course, if exact original configuration is not important to you (i.e. you have no judging in your future), then I think you'd be better off with a NEW compressor. These would differ from the original in minor ways but would be NEW.

All of the original components in their exact, original configuration and in new condition are definitely NOT currently available except if you find really old NOS. However, the vast majority, if not all, of the components are available in the replacement or reproduction market. They might not be 100% configurationally correct but they'll be 100% functional.

[Donald A.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Ok. I understand the date code on the compressor sticker. Why could I not just get a new sticker with correct date code?

[Terry M.]

Re: What is an original AC compressor worth? 70 BB LS-5

Ok. I understand the date code on the compressor sticker. Why could I not just get a new sticker with correct date code?

Don
The simple answer to your question is that the new "stickers" do not come with a date. If you can figure out how to put the date on so that it looks original you will have the start of a nice cottage business.