C2 Air Compressor

[William G.]

To buy or not to buy a new c2 air compressor
went to ac delco store to ask about a new a/c compressor for a
1965 They have a new one and a used one with a 5" pulley
also used one with a 5 3/4" My 65 has a 5 3/4 pulley. Did not buy
one.
Went to napa and they have a new one with a 5 3/4 pulley
that is guarantee for one year and a used one with a 2 year guarantee.
Napa compressor is made by 4 Seasons. They say it looks like original one.
Would rebuild my original one but everyone says they leak after rebuild.
QUESTION
When did they change the size of the pulley? Will the 5" work?
Has anyone purchased a 5 3/4 one from napa? If so does it look like the original? Has anyone had any luck with rebuilding there original one?
Thanks
BILL

[Ray G.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

To buy or not to buy a new c2 air compressor
went to ac delco store to ask about a new a/c compressor for a
1965 They have a new one and a used one with a 5" pulley
also used one with a 5 3/4" My 65 has a 5 3/4 pulley. Did not buy
one.
Went to napa and they have a new one with a 5 3/4 pulley
that is guarantee for one year and a used one with a 2 year guarantee.
Napa compressor is made by 4 Seasons. They say it looks like original one.
Would rebuild my original one but everyone says they leak after rebuild.
QUESTION
When did they change the size of the pulley? Will the 5" work?
Has anyone purchased a 5 3/4 one from napa? If so does it look like the original? Has anyone had any luck with rebuilding there original one?
Thanks
BILL

Hello William;
Suggest you check correct pulley size for the horsepower of your car.
Larger diameter pulleys are for higher horse engines. They can handle more engine RPM w/out overspinning the compressor.

Probably start by checking archives on this site.
If you run into a blank wall, email me.

Ray

[William G.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

RAY
The vette is a 327/300hp
The original pulley was a 5 3/4 on a dated 65 compressor that i
believed to be correct to the car.
BILL

[Jim T.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

What is the problem your current compressor?

[William G.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Jim
I dont know as the 65 has never been on the road since i brought it
in 1982. It was sitting in the dirt behind someones house and did not run.
I took it apart to do a frame off and never finish it.
I am now putting it back together now. I would restore the one that was on it but no one on the forum seems to have any luck with it not
leeking when rebuilt.I am going to drive it when finished.
It has a PG with air 300h/p. I dont know if it has the correct compressor. The date on it seem to be right and it has the 5 3/4 pulley
but the A/C DELCO parts store list two. One with 5" pulley and one with
a 5 3/4" pulley. What were they used on. Is the bigger pulley for higher h/p cars.
I am not opposed to having it rebuilt.
Do you have any suggestion.
Bill

[Gary N.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Bill,
I was just about to propose a similar question for my 66' (327 ci, 350 hp). I have tried by best to keep the original compressor and have tried to have it rebuilt three times with no luck. I sent it off to Florida (forget the name of the place, advertise in Hemmings) twice with no luck and had new seals put in just recently (by a local guy) when I had a clutch go out. It still sprays oil and I loose R-12. I've just about given up on getting the original one redone and I am considering buying a new one and hopefully be done with it. I also keep hearing that no one seems to have any luck with a rebuilt one. I have a friend who works on older vettes that got two bad new cpmpressors from Old Air in Fort Worth. I see they offer new compressors on E-bay. I don't know the pully size on mine, but will measure it tonight. Is that measurement a diameter or a circumference for the pulley. By the way what are they asking for a new one? It is frustrating and expensive.
Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Bill -- what ever you decide, KEEP the original, if that's what you have (swage; no crimp front barrel, clutch with small round holes, not the 3 rectangular cutouts [see pic, but ignore the upper pulley, it's only 5" dia.]; correct '302' cast # rear head with appropriate casting date).

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

If rebuilt properly, the A6 compressor will NOT leak!

They 'typical' place these compressor begin to leak refigerant & oil from is the front shaft bearing/seal. Factory originals from the era used a sintered metal bearing/seal while later era A6 compressors used ceramic based parts.

When the compressor is overhauled and the ceramic version of the bearing/seal is installed, they're almost bullet proof! But, there are those who don't know about this new/improved component substitution. And, there are those who don't know how to properly install these parts.

You have to do the job WITHOUT contamination and that means you NEVER touch the bearing/seal components with your hands/fingers... Dirt, oil, grease on the bearing surface is the enemy!

[Gary N.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Jack,
Could you recommend someone or someplace that you think can do the "correct" replacement and installation of the front seal? I have searched and thus far have not been able to come up with a reliable rebuild place. This is getting expensive from a rebuild and even a freon point of view.
Gary

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Search Vintage Air or Antique Air. I believe they can take care of your compressor for you

[Gary N.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Dick,
I live in the San Antonio area so I called Vintage Air and they are the ones who gave me the name of the person who put in the last seal and the clutch and the seal still spays leaks. I called Antique Auto Air out of the Dallas area and they said they can rebuild it, but I feel kind of snake bit on having it rebuilt again (three times already) so I thought I would try to get some expert advice or references from anyone who might have had some success with their A-6 compressor. So far it just seems to be a money pit. Has anyone heard of a double lipped seal?
Gary

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

Dick,
I live in the San Antonio area so I called Vintage Air and they are the ones who gave me the name of the person who put in the last seal and the clutch and the seal still spays leaks. I called Antique Auto Air out of the Dallas area and they said they can rebuild it, but I feel kind of snake bit on having it rebuilt again (three times already) so I thought I would try to get some expert advice or references from anyone who might have had some success with their A-6 compressor. So far it just seems to be a money pit. Has anyone heard of a double lipped seal?
Gary

Yes, I have heard about the double-lipped seal. It is for the compressor owners that have poor experience with everything else. There is a write-up about it (with part numbers) and how to install on the auto ac forum.

Go to www.autoacforum.com and then select Air Conditioning Procedures, Tips, and FAQ. Info should be there. If not, let me know and I can provide some of this information from my files.

If you remember back in the 1960's when these cars were new, the AC compressors would throw some oil and would generally require adding a can of R-12 every year. This is when they were new. Things generally get worse as they get older (I know I do).

The new A-6 compressors should work, but they are metric thread. Also rather expensive. The metric components should not be a big issue. Also, if you are not showing your car, I believe that Eckler's (or one of the Corvette suppliers) is selling a modern replacement A6 type compressor that will install like original and should be as reliable as a modern unit. Looks a little bit like an A-6 and a little bit like a Denso or Nippon compressor.....sort of a hybrid. I will try to find and post the part number(s).

My A-6 front seal leaks a bit of oil and freon, but I tolerate it at this time. However, I have purchased 3 new AC ceramic seals and all the tools to replace the seal or overhaul the compressor. Not sure what to tell you if Old Air Products (Dallas/Fort Worth area) or Classic Auto Air (Florida) rebuilds are not holding up. I would call them and try to find out the reasons for the problems. The only other alternative is to find an OLD A-6 repairman in your area or buy the tools and do it yourself.

Larry

EDIT: The hybrid commpressor I mentioned above is described on the website: www.dfwwebdesigns.net/s6. Provides description, uses, where to call for info, etc. I have not personally installed or used this compressor at this time, but it should be pretty good.

2ND EDIT: Cost for NEW A-6 compressor about $500-600 (compressor only, not installed)

3RD EDIT: Another A6 modern replacement compressor. http://www.hotrodhotline.com/pr/2009/09oldairjan/

[Mike G.]

New A6 Compressor - Four Seasons

Four Seasons p/n 57089 is a new A6 style compressor with 5" pulley and SAE threads.

Only negative (other than the price) is the positioning of the clutch connector. It's at 2 o'clock rather than 10. Repositioning it is rather a PITA, but it can be done. It's basically the procedure for R&R'ing the clutch coil.

[William G.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

which is the correct one for 65 300 h/p
Is it the 5" or the 5 3/4 pulley.
NAPA sells the 4 seasons compressor new 600.00 or used for 250.00

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Air Compressor

which is the correct one for 65 300 h/p
Is it the 5" or the 5 3/4 pulley.
NAPA sells the 4 seasons compressor new 600.00 or used for 250.00

Bill:

Not certain what the correct size is for your particular combination. Probably doesn't matter much.....if the current 5-3/4 inch works, I would continue to go with that size.

For my 1967 327/350 HP car, the size is 5 inch, but we also know that the 5-3/4 inch was used for many or all of the solid lifter SB engines. It might also have been used for some/all in 1965?? Don't know. I tried checking the early Chevrolet Parts Books and the AC Delco HVAC website, but 1965 comes up BLANK!!

I guess if you think all the other pulleys are correct, you could check your current AC belt length against the 1965 Assembly Manual/Service Manual AC belt length. If they are the same, then your 5-3/4 inch size is correct. If your current belt is longer than the OEM specified standard, then the smaller 5 inch clutch pulley may have been original to your car.

Can't offer any more help.....maybe Joe L can provide more info.

Larry