A/C Compressor Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jtminton · 03-18-2005, 06:26 PM

Hey all, nooby here. Anyway, I have a question about the A/C compressor on the truck I just got. It's a 72 C-20 with A/C, but no belt to the compressor. The person I got the truck from (my dad) said it froze up a number of years ago and he never fixed it, which is pretty rough here in TX.

I can turn the pulley with my hand, but there is a spot where it seems to catch. I would like to get the A/C up and running again, so does anybody know if I should:

A: Get a new compressor w/clutch ($80 from a local guy who said I would also need a new dryer $20).

B: Try to find a junk yard one (do they exist) or just a clutch? Is the clutch something that can be changed out (forgive me, but I've never done any A/C work before).

C: Get a new compressor and convert to R134? Would I need to modify anything else?

D: Just get a belt and see what happens?

Any advice or help is appreciated. I would consider myself a decent mechanic, but like I said, I have no experience with A/C, other than filling my old S-10 with more R12 a couple of times.

krue · 03-18-2005, 07:31 PM

If it were me, I would go with option C. Get a new dryer while you're at it. I don't know what all you need to do the conversion, but I am sure someone on here does.

krue · 03-18-2005, 07:31 PM

Btw welcome to the board from South Mississippi.

70 shorty · 03-18-2005, 10:11 PM

Welcome from Central VA, sorry I don't know what to tell you about your A/C

68xxx · 03-18-2005, 10:27 PM

The problem with old AC systems is that they get impurities in the circuit.

Moisture and crap lowers the eficiency and life of all components. If the system has been sealed then you may only need to fix or replace the compressor and filter/dryer but if it has been open to atmosphere then there could be corrosion in the evaporator and condensor coils.

The conversion can be done without too much retrofitting but you will find that most AC guys won't guarantee anything unless you replace everything.

Sounds like the compressor is probably toast.

I would go with a re-built compressor and new dryer and re-charge with old gas if available but make sure they vac out the system which ensures a proper system seal and sucks out any moisture and crap in the circuit.

Mark.

jtminton · 03-22-2005, 12:28 PM

Thanks

busterwivell · 03-22-2005, 02:14 PM

Someone posted a week or so ago that 134 is triple the price it was last year. It's almost as bad now as R12.

03-18-2005, 06:26 PM	#1
jtminton II Timothy 4:2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 361	A/C Compressor Questions Hey all, nooby here. Anyway, I have a question about the A/C compressor on the truck I just got. It's a 72 C-20 with A/C, but no belt to the compressor. The person I got the truck from (my dad) said it froze up a number of years ago and he never fixed it, which is pretty rough here in TX. I can turn the pulley with my hand, but there is a spot where it seems to catch. I would like to get the A/C up and running again, so does anybody know if I should: A: Get a new compressor w/clutch ($80 from a local guy who said I would also need a new dryer $20). B: Try to find a junk yard one (do they exist) or just a clutch? Is the clutch something that can be changed out (forgive me, but I've never done any A/C work before). C: Get a new compressor and convert to R134? Would I need to modify anything else? D: Just get a belt and see what happens? Any advice or help is appreciated. I would consider myself a decent mechanic, but like I said, I have no experience with A/C, other than filling my old S-10 with more R12 a couple of times. __________________ 72 C-20 2WD LWB Custom Camper Deluxe 350 4 Speed "Project Lazarus" MY TRUE PRIDE AND JOY "Dangit, Bobby, people will see that oil stain and think I'm a drunk."

03-18-2005, 07:31 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	If it were me, I would go with option C. Get a new dryer while you're at it. I don't know what all you need to do the conversion, but I am sure someone on here does. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-18-2005, 07:31 PM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Btw welcome to the board from South Mississippi. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-18-2005, 10:11 PM	#4
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	Welcome from Central VA, sorry I don't know what to tell you about your A/C __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

03-22-2005, 12:28 PM	#6
jtminton II Timothy 4:2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 361	Thanks __________________ 72 C-20 2WD LWB Custom Camper Deluxe 350 4 Speed "Project Lazarus" MY TRUE PRIDE AND JOY "Dangit, Bobby, people will see that oil stain and think I'm a drunk."

03-18-2005, 10:27 PM	#5
68xxx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gold Coast, East Coast of Australia Posts: 39	The problem with old AC systems is that they get impurities in the circuit. Moisture and crap lowers the eficiency and life of all components. If the system has been sealed then you may only need to fix or replace the compressor and filter/dryer but if it has been open to atmosphere then there could be corrosion in the evaporator and condensor coils. The conversion can be done without too much retrofitting but you will find that most AC guys won't guarantee anything unless you replace everything. Sounds like the compressor is probably toast. I would go with a re-built compressor and new dryer and re-charge with old gas if available but make sure they vac out the system which ensures a proper system seal and sucks out any moisture and crap in the circuit. Mark.

03-22-2005, 02:14 PM	#7
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	Someone posted a week or so ago that 134 is triple the price it was last year. It's almost as bad now as R12. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com



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