1965 ac compressor 365 HP

[Ralph A.]

How I understand it is that only a 65 corvette 365HP ac compressor "PULLEY", is 6 3/8" in diameter did any other cars have this or was the 1965 327 365 HP corvette the only one, because if this is true I think i need one so i can change mine thanks Ralph

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

How I understand it is that only a 65 corvette 365HP ac compressor "PULLEY", is 6 3/8" in diameter did any other cars have this or was the 1965 327 365 HP corvette the only one, because if this is true I think i need one so i can change mine .....

Ralph --- I think the '64 L76 with air conditioning also had this "m*u*t*h*a" pulley (as well as the '65 L76). I believe it is the one shown in pics below; ie Delco 15-223 / GM 6550482, although I can't find the latter # in any of my parts books. I suspect that it may not have been offered in service, due to low production numbers. My Delco A/C parts catalog (Jan '74) shows 15-223 as applicable for Cadillac, Chevrolet, Corvette and Opel , and under Corvette shows as '62-63 (???) w/H.Perf. The GM # shows in my 1980 global GM price book at $ 128 list.

I believe Long Island has a repro at @ $ 250.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

Cadillac did use this pulley, and I think that Olds also did. Not as rare as one would surmise

[William C.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

If you are chasing authenticity to that level, be aware that the case for the compressor was a '63-early '66 unit only due to the use of a swedged case construction near the front rather than the weld used later. Also the block with the schrader valves on the raer has the valves facing horizontally to the ground, one to the pass side and one to the driver's side. All small details unique to the early years A/C systems. Picture of original '65 compressor and outlets.

[Ralph A.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

Ralph --- I think the '64 L76 with air conditioning also had this "m*u*t*h*a" pulley (as well as the '65 L76). I believe it is the one shown in pics below; ie Delco 15-223 / GM 6550482, although I can't find the latter # in any of my parts books. I suspect that it may not have been offered in service, due to low production numbers. My Delco A/C parts catalog (Jan '74) shows 15-223 as applicable for Cadillac, Chevrolet, Corvette and Opel , and under Corvette shows as '62-63 (???) w/H.Perf. The GM # shows in my 1980 global GM price book at $ 128 list.

I believe Long Island has a repro at @ $ 250.

Hi Wayne thanks for the nice pics. The one I have is almost 7" across, but it looks just like the one you have and they it wrong is it possible to put a tape and check what yours is 6 3/8 or 7" so i can make sure for judging thanks Ralph if its possible.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

. .... The one I have is almost 7" across, but it looks just like the one you have and they it wrong is it possible to put a tape and check what yours is 6 3/8 or 7" so i can make sure for judging ? ......

OK -- mine measures 6.354" diameter (close enough to the 6_3/8" [6.375"] mentioned in the '65 TIM&JG).

Method used: draw straight line on paper lying on smooth flat surface, at least 25" long; mark a starting point and matching line on the rim of pulley; roll pulley along straight line until match line again joins the straight line on paper; mark this contact/end point on the straight line; measure between two marks (ie. circumference) and divide by "pi" (3.14159) to get diameter.

Here's a shot showing big pulley and smooth front swage on the front of the barrel, and the muffler assy. that Bill C. mentions.

[William C.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

Nice picture Wayne, also nicely shows the proper rear block and orientation of the fittings, along with the correct "acorn" caps!

[Loren L.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

FWIW, a 3/1/65 sheet amending an October 1964 parts book shows (in Gr 9.180 shows a single entry for 64-5 Corvette compressor pulley, part
#5914745.
Oct '67 Pts Bk, same group, calls the same # out as for all 64-8 Corvettes.

Production only for the HP cards??

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 ac compressor 365 HP

FWIW, a 3/1/65 sheet amending an October 1964 parts book shows (in Gr 9.180 shows a single entry for 64-5 Corvette compressor pulley, part #5914745.

Oct '67 Pts Bk, same group, calls the same # out as for all 64-8 Corvettes.

Production only for the HP cars ??

Loren -- here's what info I have on C2 up to '69 A/C compressor pulleys, as gleaned from the parts catalogs. The 5914745, a.k.a. Delco 15-216, is the pulley for '62 thru '68 Corvette, except '62-3 Hi perf D-223 '62 Corvette A/C ??? - per Delco catalog, anyway.

This 15-216 is the 5_3/4" dia. mentioned in the '65 judging guide (first and 3rd pics, below).

Then, in 1969 (to '71, per Delco) they went to the smaller pulley 6550750, a.k.a. Delco 15-224 (second and last pics). About 4.75" dia.

As to this (I'm surmise larger) hi-perf pulley D-223, the GM part # in the '62-69 era seems to be 5914724. I don't have the parts history that would confim if this changed to 6550482, post '69, nor whether the hi-perf pulley is the 6_3/8" one we see installed on '64 (?) and '65 L76 air cars.