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

mtdave2 · 08-20-2002, 02:03 PM

the a/c shop that i have talked to (suposed to be the best in town, his brother owns vintage air). they are recomending an atco compressor. they claim that they are compleatley rebuilt, unlike the ones you get at napa ect.

anyone heard of this? the compressor is 200+ bucks. thats near double of the oones at napa. do they not make new ones anymore? these kind of things always bug me. if they are really better its worth the money, bbut usualy they are not....

Hutch · 08-20-2002, 05:24 PM

I suppose for twice the price they will also guarantee it twice as long.
I have not heard of that brand but when i bought a replacement a/6 they required that I also purchase a dryer and expansion valve all total $200 to get the warranty
They also require proof that the system had been evacuated or flushed in order to receive the warranty
If the compressor is really a better rebuild it might be worth it.
You also have to keep your a/c guy happy with what he is working on, those guys are getting scarce and expensive these days.

*Zkast* · 08-20-2002, 07:49 PM

There are only a handfull of rebuiders for compressors... Four Seasons is one of the main builders, most parts stores rebox these units as there own.

Either way you go its best to replace the drier/expansion valve and have the system flushed. If you simply had a leak at the compressor and want to replace it, atleast rep[lace the drier. If you had a compressor lockup or the system has been empty for a month or more... replace the drier/expansion valve and flush it.

Not replacing the drier is somewhat like changing your oil without changing the filter

Atco actually builds their own I believe but they arent availible everywhere. Its your call but I think for an old A-6 (which are virtually bulletproof) I'd go with the napa. If it were a HR6,VR5 or R4 I would recommend new but A-6 is not a complicated compressor to build and was a good design.

Dont scrimp on the drier/expansion valve(POA) though...

08-20-2002, 02:03 PM	#1
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	atco a/c compressors the a/c shop that i have talked to (suposed to be the best in town, his brother owns vintage air). they are recomending an atco compressor. they claim that they are compleatley rebuilt, unlike the ones you get at napa ect. anyone heard of this? the compressor is 200+ bucks. thats near double of the oones at napa. do they not make new ones anymore? these kind of things always bug me. if they are really better its worth the money, bbut usualy they are not.... __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-20-2002, 05:24 PM	#2
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	I suppose for twice the price they will also guarantee it twice as long. I have not heard of that brand but when i bought a replacement a/6 they required that I also purchase a dryer and expansion valve all total $200 to get the warranty They also require proof that the system had been evacuated or flushed in order to receive the warranty If the compressor is really a better rebuild it might be worth it. You also have to keep your a/c guy happy with what he is working on, those guys are getting scarce and expensive these days. __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

08-20-2002, 07:49 PM	#3
Zkast Account Suspended Join Date: May 2002 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 929	There are only a handfull of rebuiders for compressors... Four Seasons is one of the main builders, most parts stores rebox these units as there own. Either way you go its best to replace the drier/expansion valve and have the system flushed. If you simply had a leak at the compressor and want to replace it, atleast rep[lace the drier. If you had a compressor lockup or the system has been empty for a month or more... replace the drier/expansion valve and flush it. Not replacing the drier is somewhat like changing your oil without changing the filter Atco actually builds their own I believe but they arent availible everywhere. Its your call but I think for an old A-6 (which are virtually bulletproof) I'd go with the napa. If it were a HR6,VR5 or R4 I would recommend new but A-6 is not a complicated compressor to build and was a good design. Dont scrimp on the drier/expansion valve(POA) though...



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