A/C Compressor Tech
 

Ok. I have been wondering about this. I know older vehicles use axial compressors. Around my year they changed to radial compressors. Then newer trucks use axial compressors. Whey have they changed back & forth? Is it something to do with the R12 to R134a change? Are there pros and cons to each?

The old A6 axials worked great, lasted forever, & used countless horsepower to run. Radials were cheaper and were easier for little bitty weak smog motors to turn. They also didn't last terribly long. The new axials are more efficient, but I bet they won't last like an A6.

Can you still get a A6?

A6= the long heavy units right? I just got mine rebuilt for like $100.

Can I retro-fit my current system to use either the new or old axial compressors?

I don't see why not. Check www.vintageair.com They sell brackets & compressors, etc. Might be a good time to convert to R134a, also. The A6's are available new or rebuilt, but they will drag down a 305 drastically. Look into a WOT switch (cuts off compressor at wide-open-throttle).

A friend of mine (who used to work at Vintage Air designing their systems) replaced the compressor on his small block powered S-10 with a more efficient one used on late model cars. I don't know what model he used, but he said that the newer style compressors use a lot less horsepower and are more widely available as inexpensive, new units.

He used a bracket that is available for mounting compressors on street rods, and had new hoses made to fit it. He is very happy with how it works. I may eventually, with his help, go to such a system. He recommended that I do it because the rebuilds of the radial compressor used on my truck are typically junk, and a new replacement for it is several hundred dollars.

Slonaker

Well the problem is that I have the traditional V-belts so I can get a rather new one because of the serpintine belt issue. Sloaker - can you see what he used? I would greatly apperciate it!

I probably won't talk to him until next week. Send me an email if you don't hear anything.

Slonaker

I've heard about using tractor compressors since they're used for many hours at a time. Woner how that would work?

I talked to my friend on Friday. He said that he converted his S-10 over to a Sanden compressor. He said that it is what all of the street rod setups use, and what they used in their Vintage Air kits. He said he is happy with the way it works in his S-10 because it takes noticeably less horsepower to turn it.

A couple of points he made that you should know about... He said he never bothered to compare the specs on it to make sure that it is at least as efficient as the old compressor. He said that his expectation was that it would work well, and he was able to get a good deal on the compressor, so he did it. He says that the numbers should not be hard to find, but that he never bothered.

He also had to change the ends of the hoses to fit the new compressor. He said it should not cost much, but adds to the cost of the project. It wasn't an issue for him because he welded his own.

The cost of new hoses and new brackets is something to consider. I plan to keep my truck forever, so a little extra cost is not much of an issue if there is one. I figure I'll eventually recoup the extra cost, if there is one, on gas savings. If you are not planning to keep your truck long, it might not be worth it.

Slonaker

HHMMMMM Sanden is right down the road from me. Wonder if I can get a compressor that fell off one of their trucks undamaged :D