A/C compressor?

[rmneder]

I want to get the factory air working on my truck. I have all the original parts either still on the truck or in a box, but I have them. The only real problem I can foresee is I have headers and the compressor has a bracket that mounts from the stock manifolds. I've searched old threads and someone suggested there is a header bracket that replaces the one on the manifold. I've tried a couple from different manufactures and they don't seem to line up. My question is if I got one of those direct replacement aluminum compressors that use factory brackets but are about half the weight could I get away with not using the lower bracket that mounts on the manifold? Thanks for any help.

[Bigdav160]

IIRC, the lower bracket is the one carrying the weight and the compressor pivots on it.
It's the most important one.

[rmneder]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

IIRC, the lower bracket is the one carrying the weight and the compressor pivots on it.
It's the most important one.

Just my luck. I've seen a company called Original Air Group has a sanden compressor conversion kit. It comes with the compressor and brackets but uses the other original parts. Does anybody have experience with this or anything similar?

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Check with Vintage Air. They have brackets to fit many applications.
George

[demian5]

Originally Posted by rmneder

Just my luck. I've seen a company called Original Air Group has a sanden compressor conversion kit. It comes with the compressor and brackets but uses the other original parts. Does anybody have experience with this or anything similar?

This is the way to go. Updated compressor that mounts mostly on the front of the head.

[jradford]

Check with Summit or it may have been CarId but when I put headers on my truck last year I ordered a bracket from one of them that fits perfectly for a passenger side compressor mount. I think Hedman makes it so you might just check their web site as well.

[leddzepp]

You can “shave off” some of the lower bracket to fit with headers in place. Member Livrat posted a picture years ago when I encountered the same thing (I ended up going back to ram horn manifolds anyways). If you want to retain all factory connections and hoses, go with the aluminum a10 replacement like you were thinking. I did this on my 68 and it works perfectly. I don’t monkey with r134 conversions anymore and just use r12. Sanden compressors are nice too but they don’t bolt up to factory connections and you’ll need additional parts to make it work.

[BossHogg69]

Hedman Hedders makes the bracket you're talking about if its the A6 style compressor (factory Frigidaire/Harrison or Pro6Ten like Original Air sells). #20110 fits right or left side. I'm using it with the all factory front brackets and the Hedman mount on the headers. Mines on a '65 Bel Air, factory air with headers on a sbc 350.

https://www.hedman.com/product-detail/20110

[rmneder]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Hedman Hedders makes the bracket you're talking about if its the A6 style compressor (factory Frigidaire/Harrison or Pro6Ten like Original Air sells). #20110 fits right or left side. I'm using it with the all factory front brackets and the Hedman mount on the headers. Mines on a '65 Bel Air, factory air with headers on a sbc 350.

https://www.hedman.com/product-detail/20110

The bracket in the link is the one I have. It doesn't look like it will work for me. I haven't tried to put it entirely together, but with the stock bracket that bolts onto the two water pump bolts installed the new bracket doesn't line up. its too low. The compressor should bolt up between those two brackets right? Am I doing something wrong?

[BossHogg69]

Mine didn't bolt up right out of the package, I had to bend the ears a little bit to get it all to work out. My factory bracket (at the exh manifold) had shims installed behind the compressor to get it to line up, so I wasn't surprised the Hedman bracket needed a little persuasion. I don't have pictures up under the compressor where you can see everything, but I can get some if you need me to. Mind you, this is on a '65 Chevy Bel Air, not a truck.

[leddzepp]

Here is mine. I painted the aluminum compressor black so it would blend in and look factory. It bolted up to my factory brackets and hoses.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Here is mine. I painted the aluminum compressor black so it would blend in and look factory. It bolted up to my factory brackets and hoses.

How the compressor work? Looking to do that or start over with vintage air on the 68

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

How the compressor work? Looking to do that or start over with vintage air on the 68

That pic was taken in June of 2017, and it’s been working perfectly ever since. My 72 has factory air with the original a6. When it craps out I’m going to use the a10 replacement again. Less drag on the engine, way more efficient than the a6.