67 GMC 1500 Project

[Corts60]

Got the rest of the a/c parts installed and started pulling a vacuum last night...I pulled down to 29 in. and let it sit for 20 min. Came back and the vacuum was at 10 in so...I have a leak. I'm probably going to buy some nitrogen and trace gas to charge the system with and find the leak.

But on the plus side: I found me some 8" rally wheels! Got to get these things cleaned up and buy some 275/60/15 meats to install. Super stoked about these. They're not turbine wheels, but these will do just fine for a few years until I can find a set.

[68Gold/white]

Check around the compressor carefully for leaks. Lots'a soapy water!!!

8" Rally wheels look great to me!!!

There's a thread here, about painting Rally wheels different colors, might interest you!
Someone painted their rally's gold. I really liked that one. Gave me an idea for my 68, which is a golden anniversary pickup...

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Check around the compressor carefully for leaks. Lots'a soapy water!!!

8" Rally wheels look great to me!!!

There's a thread here, about painting Rally wheels different colors, might interest you!
Someone painted their rally's gold. I really liked that one. Gave me an idea for my 68, which is a golden anniversary pickup...

Thanks for the tip! Yeah, I was just thinking about colors today. I'll look for it!

[Corts60]

So I performed a pressure test of the a/c system and...bad compressor shaft seal. I can't say I'm shocked my $132 o-reilly compressor failed out of the box. Haha. The good news all the other components and connections were solid!

I got a new 4 seasons aluminum A6 on the way. I'll be installing the condenser fan this weekend; wiring it to kick-on whenever the compressor is on. Should work nicely. I'll post some pics.

[chewychevy67]

I bought a "new" compressor from these guys. http://www.almaproducts.com/products/a. I hear they are better than the reman A6 units. I sure hope it fairs better than yours. Those compressors are notoriously leaking in the front though new or old I hear.

[Corts60]

Roger that, the one I just purchased is a brand new aluminum version (not a reman) so fingers crossed that the shaft seal will hold....

Well I got the new condenser fan installed last night. Going to finish wiring today. Since the hood latch support bracket splits right down the middle of the condenser, I went with a little 10" fan. I figured something is better than nothing when trying to get a/c at slow speeds or in traffic. I wired the fan through a relay that is controlled with the compressor switch.

I also installed a battery isolator with a removable key. During the power tour we will be parked out hotels and I'm not interested in just "giving" my truck to a thief, I want to make them work for it. Hahaha.

[68Gold/white]

Cort,
Before installing compressor...you are supposed put oil in compressor and stand compressor on clutch end to saturate seal in oil. New ones can leak. (If you didn't know...)
I'd rather have the modern version, anyway...I bought a new 77 Trans Am, was a senior in high school (yes, I still have it, restifying it...) it had te A6 compressor. stupid thing leaked oil from day one. I took it to the dealer, talked to the car salesman I bought it from. He told me the belt was slinging belt dressing. Horse hockey...??? I was young and naive, I believed him. had seal replaced twice (after warranty). Never quit leaking...

I'd like to see pictures and part numbers (purchase source). have seen one version of the lighter weight A6.

Is your condenser fan wired to come on with AC???
My ex owned a Mazda mini van, I inherited it in the divorce, it was used up by then... It had a condenser fan mounted in front of condenser also. The fan only covered about 1/4-1/3 of the condenser. It cam on with AC operation. that vehicle never overheated, and AC worked very well!!!

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Cort,
Before installing compressor...you are supposed put oil in compressor and stand compressor on clutch end to saturate seal in oil. New ones can leak. (If you didn't know...)
I'd rather have the modern version, anyway...I bought a new 77 Trans Am, was a senior in high school (yes, I still have it, restifying it...) it had te A6 compressor. stupid thing leaked oil from day one. I took it to the dealer, talked to the car salesman I bought it from. He told me the belt was slinging belt dressing. Horse hockey...??? I was young and naive, I believed him. had seal replaced twice (after warranty). Never quit leaking...

I'd like to see pictures and part numbers (purchase source). have seen one version of the lighter weight A6.

Is your condenser fan wired to come on with AC???
My ex owned a Mazda mini van, I inherited it in the divorce, it was used up by then... It had a condenser fan mounted in front of condenser also. The fan only covered about 1/4-1/3 of the condenser. It cam on with AC operation. that vehicle never overheated, and AC worked very well!!!

I actually did not know I needed to stand compressor on end to saturate seal! Thank you for that! How long should I leave it in that position for?

Yes, the relay right next to isolation switch is controlled by the compressor switch and that powers up the fan to come on whenever compressor is running.

I was worried fan would look junky through the grill, but its not too bad!

[68Gold/white]

I usually stand a compressor on end over night. I think the time is actually like 3 hours...Doesn't hurt to rotate the compressor a couple times while it is setting..(to move the location of the seal).

Can't tell that fan is there. Very good thing to have on AC'd vehicle.

[Corts60]

OK! Got the new Four Seasons compressor in today. Man, what a pleasure for my back to bolt in the aluminum guy vs. cast iron guy!

She is under vacuum now and I'm going to let it evacuate for the next several hours. System was opened up (even though I capped hoses) for awhile and I want to be sure to flash off all of the moisture that may have gotten in there.

After that, we'll charge her up and see what we get!

[Corts60]

And...SUCCESS!

Here is a pic of center vent temp while on a city street at a stop light. It gets down to 39 degrees at speeds above 30. Super happy with the results

[cornerstone]

Man that's so COOL!

Lame pun... I couldn't resist.

[Boog]

Hey Cort. It's looking like a whole different truck.
On your condenser, where did you get it and is it the updated crossflow unit or a stock replacement? And the drier is for R134? I read that the drier desiccant is different too. Also how did you go about testing and setting your poa valve?

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Boog

Hey Cort. It's looking like a whole different truck.
On your condenser, where did you get it and is it the updated crossflow unit or a stock replacement? And the drier is for R134? I read that the drier desiccant is different too. Also how did you go about testing and setting your poa valve?

Hey Boog,

The condenser is a stock unit from LMC. Basically a direct fit. The filter drier is from Rockauto P/N 33215 (FourSeasons) and is compatible with R12 and R134.

As for setting the POA, with the expansion valve removed, I injected air pressure into the evaporator at this fitting. I had the low pressure gauge hooked up to the low pressure port on the POA. I injected air and watched my gauge settle out at 29-30, which is the factory setting. You should hear the POA seat/unseat. I then loosened the locknut inside the POA (have to remove suction line from POA to get to this) and used, I think, a 7/32 socket to adjust the set screw. I believe I turned it counter clockwise, but I can't remember. Then I reset locknut and tested with air pressure. It's kind of tedious, but you have to keep fiddling with setting the locknut and also not move your new setting of 26 psi. Once you get her locked down at 26 psi, put her back together!

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Man that's so COOL!

Lame pun... I couldn't resist.

I'll take it. I actually do feel pretty cool driving around a classic with air conditioning. Almost feel fancy. Haha. I've never had a classic with working ac!

[Boog]

Thanks.
Your black truck will look good with some silver rallys and white letter tires. It reminds me of ESLL's truck.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by Boog

Thanks.
Your black truck will look good with some silver rallys and white letter tires. It reminds me of ESLL's truck.

Hell yeah! That's what I'm going for! I love that vintage look; that's what I grew up with.

[Corts60]

Got the towing wiring all set up and took the camper out for a trial on the freeway. I wanted to see how she did with a/c on and towing at 65. She did wonderful. Engine temp stayed right at 190/195.

So excited to go camping!

[chewychevy67]

That makes me want to add a hitch to my truck build now. That looks like fun!

[cornerstone]

That combo has stress relief written all over it. Get out and enjoy it for the rest of us man!!!

[Palf70Step]

Another sweet ride! Looking for more on this one as twiddle with it.

[Corts60]

Thanks Bill!

I've put her away for the winter so there won't be many updates in the near future. My wife and I are off to the hospital day after tomorrow to have our little girl! Can't wait to meet her!

[Low Elco]

Woot Woot! Good Luck!

[Corts60]

Finally got the rally's on the truck. The tires are not staying, they're just rollers for now.

I've got to get that rear end down! How much can I lower the rear without having to c-notch it?

[Corts60]

Forgot to update this thread earlier this year. I sold this little gem and she is off to a new owner. It was a fun truck, but I just needed to get back into a square body.