a/c question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kmaz · 09-19-2013, 07:46 AM

I have a 69 c10 with factory ac, the the compressor and brackets did not come with the truck. I put in a later model 350 small block and was wondering what the best way to hook back up my ac. Would I be able to install a more modern ac compressor? Would it have the same ac connections? Any freon conversions i would have to do? Or is my only option is finding the 67-72 compressor and all the brackets associated to mount the compressor. As you can probably tell I am a newby... any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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Bigdav160 · 09-19-2013, 08:28 AM

That will depend on the water pump and compressor style you are using.

From the factory your truck had a short water pump with the compressor on the passenger side of the engine. Later engines had longer water pumps and the compressor in the drivers side. The longer A/C hoses are a minor problem.

Some compressors, like the new aluminum A6 replacement require PAG46 oil. This oil is not compatible with older non barrier hoses. So the rubber parts will need to be replaced.

The old style A6 compressor is (apparently) fine with 100 weight Easter oil and hose replacement may not be necessary.

kmaz · 09-19-2013, 08:46 AM

I have a short water pump, the compressor will be mounted on the passenger side. Does the ac connection differ? The existing hoses are in pretty good shape so I would like to reuse them if possible??
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Andy4639 · 09-19-2013, 12:27 PM

I used a aftermarket compressor kit from Vintage air. Came with everything u needed to do the swap. I had them send me the hoses also with all kinds of fittings. Took it to a local AC shop and $40.00 they made up all the hoses for me.

MARKDTN · 09-19-2013, 04:42 PM

Some of the aftermarket truck places offer a hose for a R4 compressor in these trucks. Honestly your best bet is just to have a good parts store custom build hoses. Not a big deal to a good store. I would start with NAPA or CarQuest.

tlcrz1972 · 09-19-2013, 08:39 PM

My experience is get away from the A6 compressor, I tried many times to make one work with 134A, and it just never cooled correctly.

So after many different upgrades using the A6, with limited success. I finally went to the pancake style compressor, with everything the same as with the A6 and now it cools like it needs to.

My suggestion is upgrade to the orifice/accumulator type setup like '73 up with the smaller compressor. And a larger condenser.

It will save you a lot of time, money and cussing.

09-19-2013, 07:46 AM	#1
kmaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Billerica Ma Posts: 16	a/c question I have a 69 c10 with factory ac, the the compressor and brackets did not come with the truck. I put in a later model 350 small block and was wondering what the best way to hook back up my ac. Would I be able to install a more modern ac compressor? Would it have the same ac connections? Any freon conversions i would have to do? Or is my only option is finding the 67-72 compressor and all the brackets associated to mount the compressor. As you can probably tell I am a newby... any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Posted via Mobile Device

09-19-2013, 08:28 AM	#2
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: a/c question That will depend on the water pump and compressor style you are using. From the factory your truck had a short water pump with the compressor on the passenger side of the engine. Later engines had longer water pumps and the compressor in the drivers side. The longer A/C hoses are a minor problem. Some compressors, like the new aluminum A6 replacement require PAG46 oil. This oil is not compatible with older non barrier hoses. So the rubber parts will need to be replaced. The old style A6 compressor is (apparently) fine with 100 weight Easter oil and hose replacement may not be necessary. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

09-19-2013, 08:46 AM	#3
kmaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Billerica Ma Posts: 16	Re: a/c question I have a short water pump, the compressor will be mounted on the passenger side. Does the ac connection differ? The existing hoses are in pretty good shape so I would like to reuse them if possible?? Posted via Mobile Device

09-19-2013, 12:27 PM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: a/c question I used a aftermarket compressor kit from Vintage air. Came with everything u needed to do the swap. I had them send me the hoses also with all kinds of fittings. Took it to a local AC shop and $40.00 they made up all the hoses for me. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

09-19-2013, 04:42 PM	#5
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,159	Re: a/c question Some of the aftermarket truck places offer a hose for a R4 compressor in these trucks. Honestly your best bet is just to have a good parts store custom build hoses. Not a big deal to a good store. I would start with NAPA or CarQuest. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

09-19-2013, 08:39 PM	#6
tlcrz1972 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, TEXAS Posts: 658	Re: a/c question My experience is get away from the A6 compressor, I tried many times to make one work with 134A, and it just never cooled correctly. So after many different upgrades using the A6, with limited success. I finally went to the pancake style compressor, with everything the same as with the A6 and now it cools like it needs to. My suggestion is upgrade to the orifice/accumulator type setup like '73 up with the smaller compressor. And a larger condenser. It will save you a lot of time, money and cussing. __________________ 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne LB 1/2 ton finished restoration/rebuild 1995 350 throttle body FI, 4L6E (running on modified GM wiring harness) 3.08 posi rearend, factory A/C on 134A, p/s, p/b, late 70's power windows and locks and cruise, speakers in the dash + 6x9's behind the seat, factory tilt, 40 gallon fuel tank in the bed with integrated tool box, air assist bags on the rearend, sway bar up front and much more. 1972 chevrolet SNB finished 2002, 350 TB FI, TH400, factory A/C, p/b, p/s, (FOR SALE) 1969 Chevrolet 1 ton in work, home made PTO dump bed extended frame, 350 CI , 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 ton suburban future project 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 ton p/u maybe a project one day 1966 Toyota Landcruiser my playtoy

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