A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please help.

[Domenic T.]

First of all Thanks for the great words on a previous post, but what makes the system work are the experts out there that give good advice and do good work.
I have the easy part! one component. All has to go together, and our experts seem to get it right.
Anyway, talking with Gary Jaynes who gets the A/C working right, we have a member with a early 64 327/365 HP with a bogus compressor. Has metal tags on a late swaged case? Swaged cases came out mid 66, and metal tags were 63 and possibly 64.
So does any one know when the Vette compressors started using foil stickers? Now I know that the stock with metal was used up, then came the foil stickers.
I have a list that varies from 63 to 64 of metal plates welded on compressor cases.This guy wants it right and is Gary's customer. Any input here? He has a swaged case (which came out in mid 66) with metal tags which were used much earlier. Someone did some work to make it look like a 64. Pulley is right (6 3/8 ) and all else is wrong, including back plate, case, and teflon rings that came to use in 1976. Also has the clutch that was used mid 66 and on (3 openings, spokes), instead of the clutch that had 6 holes on the face used to mid 66.
SO who has a 63/64 A6 compressor with foil, and with metal welded tags. Model # on both (foil & metal) is 5910490.
Lets help this guy. Also 3.25 lbs.

Dom

[Dan H.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

My 64 Vin 8477 had foil tag on it, original untouched compressor in 1980. Had a black 'Caution' label also, and an ink stamp, but can't see it in my old pictures. This was a PG 300 HP car.
Dan

[Mike B.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

Moving this thing up for our good friend Dom!

I'm posting these six closeup compressor photos from an online vendor just to give a visual aspect to this conversation. I don't know the seller. From the little I know about 365 HP Corvette AC compressors, this unit sure looks original to me. It's been for sale for quite some time and is very expensive.

I spoke with Dom and he told me that the '64 owner's car featured in this thread has a December '63 build date? If that's correct then I would figure that owner's original compressor would closely resemble the one in these photos. The casting date on the back plate of this compressor is very close to his car. This one's got a casting date of A-22-4. A little marred, but I can make it out. January 22nd, 1964. It's advertised to have the 6-3/8" inch special pulley as well.

I know this doesn't answer Dom's original request about the '63 compressor metal plate info, but I think this earlier '64 could have a compressor like the one in these photos. Hope this helps the conversation. Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

Hey Dom, Check this out.

Maybe you can tell your friends searching for that earlier '64 model #5910490 365hp AC compressor this info. I dug through my archived compressor photos and found another #5910490 compressor. It's missing it's pulley, but it's got everything else. Hard to find shots of this model.

Based on the two separate Frigidaire labels between these two units, I've estimated an approximate serial number for the foil label they are searching for. Since his car was built December '63, I figure the original serial number code would be very close to 1000. The two compressors I'm comparing here have casting dates of Jan 22, 1964 and Mar 02, 1964. I ratio/proportioned between those two dates then counted backwards to a good date for an original label or one that might be reproduced.

Model No. Serial No. Casting Date

5910490 92NC10XX ?
5910490 92NC1178 JAN 22 1964
5910490 92NC1252 MAR 02 1964
(I've tried to edit this jammed up info but it won't let me. But I think it's still readable.)

Tell your friends that I also have good closeup shots of this Jan '64 model #5910490 compressor's bracket bolt head marks. Good to know info.
Take care, Mike

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

Mike,
I have a list of compressors I did with those strange codes. Can't make any sense out of them!

Dom

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

Mike & guys,
Found a 3rd style hub clutch used on the C2's. I will get pictures out as soon as I get back to the shop. It is a cross between the 3 spoke that came out in late 66 and the 6 hole that was used in 66. Has a hole (same size as 6 hole hub clutch) between each spoke of the 3 spoke hub clutch that replaced the 6 hole.
Maybe supports the fact that they used up what they had until gone. Looks like they ran the 6 hole hub plates thru the 3 spoke press and used all the older stampings. Was on a early 67. I will post pics in this thread.

Dom

[Mike B.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

Dom,

At least on the two Frigidaire labels in my last post, there sure appears to be sequential numbers on the 1964 model #5910490 serial numbers that parallel the compressor casting dates.

So I don't forget, I'll include 3 bolt head marks from the A-22-4 #5910490 compressor bracket that attaches to the front compressor lip. This is the thick stamped steel bracket that has the curved slot that allows the compressor to pivot for belt tightening.

The two grade 8 "S" bolts attach through the corners of this bracket and into the threads of the compressor lip. They are 5/16 - 24 x 3/4" long.

The single grade 8 "L8" bolt attaches between the two "S" bolts and is slightly longer. It passes through the bracket next to the curved slot then through the threads of the compressor lip. A thick metal loop is attached on the end of this longer bolt by a lock washer and nut. It holds hoses in place there. This "L8" bolt is 5/16 - 24 x 1" long. Maybe slightly longer? There probably were other head marks used at that time. I'm sharing what I see on this compressor that's very close to the build date of the featured car on this thread. Hope this helps. Mike

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 compressor! 1963/64, when did they start using foil stickers? Judges please he

Ok, here is the hub clutch from a October 67! Notice the holes between the 3 spokes. Looked at about 30 ( 3 ) spoke hub clutches and NONE had the hole in between the 3 spokes. Most likely using parts that were changed to denote year which was common. Even gaskets had a CODE! There was a colored thread in engine gaskets that the GM warranty checked. He would take a sledge hammer and break a block that could be fixed. Example was porus iron where oil would bleed thru the cast iron. Sealing with weld was not a option. But we weren't allowed to p[aint the bare cast iron block at the dealership I worked for. I was fired for checking out paint from the parts dept!
I'm sure all dealerships didn't do that but it was a pleasure to leave, having no comebacks. There are more things that are not known! The A6 is the LEAST known judged item on a car. Studied a bunch and, nope, no one that worked building the A6, which was on about all make and model cars, not to exclude foreign!

Dom