A6 Compressor

[Paul K.]

Hello

Can someone tell me what year and appliaction this A6 compressor is for.
Plain head design, L 3 below this number 6555302, 1 08 above

Behind the pulleys is 555283 and B(or 8)179

Pulled of my 69 corvette 427/390, want to know if this would be correct.

Paul Klemetson

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 Compressor

Hello

Can someone tell me what year and appliaction this A6 compressor is for.
Plain head design, L 3 below this number 6555302, 1 08 above

Behind the pulleys is 555283 and B(or 8)179

Pulled of my 69 corvette 427/390, want to know if this would be correct.

Paul Klemetson

Paul,
When I get to my shop today l'll take a look , at some front plates for those #s. That would tell me Feb 17 1968 if on the back plate.

Do you have a 1 lug switch or a plug where one would go on the back plate?

I have found that when the compressors are rebuilt they mix parts and very seldom go into the inner case where the pistons and bearings are.
Usually you just get a seal replacement of the 2 large O-rings and the front seal.
Most are on a exchange basis and you get a generic bunch of parts, much like when you get a starter exchange.
I think one that I am rebuilding ihad a 69 back plate and I will check it out later today and let you know.

I usually se a date code on the earlier compressors that are as you found on your front plate.

Here are pics of a 1963 and 1965 back plate that were on ones that I finished.

K95, K being the Month, 9 the day and 5 the year. I have not as yet seen the I on a back plate so K would be the 10th Month on the picture.

B033 pic = Feb 03 1963 as you are familiar with on other parts you have.

DOM
Oct 9 1965.

[Wayne M.]

Re: A6 Compressor

....... I have not as yet seen the (letter) I on a back plate so K would be the 10th Month on the picture.....

Dom -- here's an early '65, dated I-15-4 (September 15th 1964). Haven't pulled the pulley/clutch assy. to read the front head. Note the 1st design relief valve with the "440 #" stamping.

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 Compressor

Wayne,
Thats a beauty and I'll bet there are a few looking for one dated like that.

There 's not a lot of guys looking for dated back plates. I thought the original back plates would be scattered all over the place by now.
Maybe the compressors on all the A/C cars were not exchanged when rebuilt.
I took this pic of one members compressor before it was assembled just to show the parts that were inside of the monster.

This is why I am skepticle as to what they really do or what they replace in the rebuilds out there for a few hundred bucks.
It takes the better part of a day to clean, inspect, measure , get everything spaced correctly and test. Then there is the price and availability of the CORRECT parts.
I am sure they use everything (rings. bearings, and front seal ceramic) over again as they are bullet proofe except for the O-rings.

DOM

[Jim T.]

Re: A6 Compressor

Dominic do you know when ceramic seals were first used in compressors?

I have owned a 78 Camaro compressor for 23 years that I removed from a friends Camaro. I have considered using this compressor on my 1970 Corvette. The front pulley bearing needs replacing. My 70's compressor is leaking oil and needs a new seal and I have not bought the tools to replace it.

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 Compressor

Dominic do you know when ceramic seals were first used in compressors?

I have owned a 78 Camaro compressor for 23 years that I removed from a friends Camaro. I have considered using this compressor on my 1970 Corvette. The front pulley bearing needs replacing. My 70's compressor is leaking oil and needs a new seal and I have not bought the tools to replace it.

Jim,
As far as I know they were used since day 1. I was sent some lip seals from a rebuilder that sealed the shaft directly and could wear a grove in it muchless fail in a short time.

There are some special tools needed to pull the seal with the shaft in place, (not easy on some design's and impossible on other design).

It is better to remove the inner case and replace the other 2 major O-rings.

One or the problems is damaging the 2 thrust washers you see in the picture and also moving the swash plate on the shaft. All the perts have to be pulled together without loading the thrust washers or swash plate.

If all you are going to do is change all the seals (recomended) you can leave the inner case together that requires more special tools and time.

With the inner case out you can strip the whole compressor and paint it after you assemble it again.

Changing seals only can be done in a few hours with the right tools.

DOM

[Wayne M.]

Re: A6 Compressor

... do you know when ceramic seals were first used in compressors? ....

Jim -- I have five various compressor seal kits; all have ceramic seats. The oldest one, in a turquoise/black/white box "Delco Aire" is (Delco #) 15-210. This box has # 6599114 (which I assume is the GM #). Can't find it in my '65 P&A catalog, though.

In GM catalogs, seal kits are under Gr 9.175. I have another box 15-2191 (replaces 6599114 and 9556695 printed on end tab), and the instructions, dated 1976, are for both ceramic and cast iron seals -- in fact a note says: "depending upon year and model, ... may be equipped with either a cast iron or ceramic seat, each requiring a different tool" ... etc.

IIRC around 1967 they added the foam sheet (sponge) to the kit to soak up minor fluid loss.

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 Compressor

Wayne,
That cast one you mention is the one in the picture and has the replacement ceramic that rides against it in the plastic package.
The special tool grabs the lip on the cast half of the seal and you can pull it out, the other is not no easy as you have to grip it in the shaft hole by expanding the tool inside the hole and pull.

The cast can be removed with shaft in because of the lip. I have never done it that way because it is almost as easy to remove the outer shell and do all the seals.

When I order these as ceramic seals today they come both ways and I am happy to get them either way. The lip seal that some rebuilders use are 1 piece lile you have used in other ares of your car.

DOM

DOM

[Domenic T.]

Re: A6 Compressor

Paul
Here are 2 pictures of a 1969 back plate and a front plate that is going on another compressor. The front plate is hard to read but the others I have were worse.
I don't know how much attention the front plate gets as it is not in hidden behind the pulley as you stated.
Hope this helps a bit.

DOM