79' C10 A/C Setup: Rip This Out Or Leave It

[airspeed247]

Question for those with A/C.

This was an original 305 truck that had this 350 swapped in that was supposed to go into a Camaro. It doesn't line up with the belt (which shouldn't be a difficult issue) however the two hoses don't match up either. The one going to the front of the truck seems to be missing a return line and the one going to the cab has the incorrect connection.

Do you recommend just removing this and getting the more cylindrical compressor version with the correct hoses or is this easier to finish installing than I see?

I'm shipping this truck to Hawaii where we are PCS'ing and trying to decide if I want to take out this setup now and sell it or leave it in and figure out how to make it work. I don't think I'll need a/c much in Hawaii (I'm used to not having A/C) and am tired of seeing it just sit there as it is.

Rip it out and sell it or leave it and figure out how to make it work?

I appreciate any input


(Please excuse anything funky you see under the hood. Still cleaning it all up)

[Just call me Sean]

That whole bracket setup looks like a mess, and I can't even see the alternator but from what I can see it doesn't look right either. Looks like a short water pump but the compressor bracket is for a long water pump. The water pump pulley probably has been modified to fit, pretty sure it's from the car but it's missing a spot for a belt on the rear. With a long water pump the fan would be more into the shroud where it's supposed to be. The power steering setup is some combination of the truck and car.

[airspeed247]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

That whole bracket setup looks like a mess, and I can't even see the alternator but from what I can see it doesn't look right either. Looks like a short water pump but the compressor bracket is for a long water pump. The water pump pulley probably has been modified to fit, pretty sure it's from the car but it's missing a spot for a belt on the rear. With a long water pump the fan would be more into the shroud where it's supposed to be. The power steering setup is some combination of the truck and car.

Here's some better shots of the area that I took when I first picked up the truck. I didn't realize there was that much going on. Makes alot more sense in regards to the fan location within the shroud and the alignment of things.

So if I was going to clean this all up it sounds like the best advice would be to take the ac compressor and lines out, get the correct water pump and then the correct alternator bracket, then source the correct compressor and lines? I've seen a few setups now with what looks like this smaller compressor installed but the alternator is on the drivers side and compressor is on the passenger.

[Just call me Sean]

Pulleys and brackets are matched together, so you'll have to check everything. The harmonic balancer might even be different, I'm not familiar with the short water pump setup but with the car crank pulley down there it probably is thinner. If it was mine, I would switch to a serpentine setup but I already have a couple extra setups. Cars usually have smog pumps so I would stick with truck and van. 90-95 truck has the compressor on the passenger side with that style compressor, 96-99 has a newer style compressor but on the drivers side. Don't use 88-89, they're steel and prone to cracking. Vans have more options, compressor can be on either side and they also used that style compressor or a different style not used on the trucks. Not sure about the lines but you might have to have some made or check the threads to see if an 86 or 87 accumulator will work.

[airspeed247]

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Pulleys and brackets are matched together, so you'll have to check everything. The harmonic balancer might even be different, I'm not familiar with the short water pump setup but with the car crank pulley down there it probably is thinner. If it was mine, I would switch to a serpentine setup but I already have a couple extra setups. Cars usually have smog pumps so I would stick with truck and van. 90-95 truck has the compressor on the passenger side with that style compressor, 96-99 has a newer style compressor but on the drivers side. Don't use 88-89, they're steel and prone to cracking. Vans have more options, compressor can be on either side and they also used that style compressor or a different style not used on the trucks. Not sure about the lines but you might have to have some made or check the threads to see if an 86 or 87 accumulator will work.

I appreciate the details. We are moving to Hawaii and then I'm shipping this truck over so I'm trying to keep it as basic as possible. I'm trying not to run into more issues with lack of parts/etc.
Sounds like I am just going to take this setup out and run everything else like it is until I can get a solid plan for swapping everything at once to make it all work.

[Dead Parrot]

You are missing a high pressure hose. It runs from the bottom connection next to the radiator and over to the black tube that is visually next to the gas filter but in the background in pic 5 first posting. That hose also includes the high pressure cutoff switch and the expansion valve housing.

Might research a Sanden compressor swap since you have to make mods once you get moved and settled.

[Just call me Sean]

I don't know what they're called but these are the other two compressors of the three used in those setups I listed. First pic is the van compressor and second is the 96-99 truck.

[Bandit130]

If you decide to run OE AC, I recently had this Sanden kit installed on my 350 and am very satisfied with it. A lot better than the A6 I have had in the past. This is the thread I posted. Of course, all hoses, evaporator, drier, condenser, etc. will need to be replaced since it has been disconnected for a while. I have heard that the R4 pancake compressors has had it's share of issues also. The price may seem pricey, but for me worth the money.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=835891