Winter Project . Rebuilding My A6 twin pulley A/C Compresser

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello ,
   Now that the cooler weather is here i removed my Original A-6 twin A/C compresser ( Making a little noise  noise ) and replaced it with a Spare just so i can still drive the car if i need too . Time is on my side here . Can any body  recommend a good compresser rebuilder ? I would rather get my original compresser rebuilt . I have dealt with Original  Air in the past however they have a Huge Back log .  I am not totally against buying a new one but i would like a few good options and sources .

  Thank You ,
       Bill

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Bill,
Perhaps I am that one in a million but I have NEVER had an issue with Delco rebuilt compressors. Yes they are extremely tight when they get here but that is because the clearances have been reduced to original specs, and of course there is no oil on the bearing/wearing surfaces yet.
If you do the following, the compressors should last.
1. Open the drain plug and drain all the residual oil out.
2. Refill the compressor with 5 ounces of oil(I typically use Ester or mineral oil for R-12).
3. With the compressor in its upright, (as installed) position using the proper three pronged compressor clutch tool I rotate the compressor clockwise at least 25 or 30 times to get the oil into the oil pump and circulating through the oiling system.
4. Install the compressor, evacuate the system and add something like a pound of refrigerant (you can feed liquid) through the high side gage connection port.
5. THEN again 25 to 30 turns of the compressor will get oil to the seal.
6. Finish charging the system with refrigerant vapor through the low side connection. Liquid fed into the low side usually result in knocking out or at least bending the valves.

That is what I do, and my compressors have been happy.
Greg Surfas

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello Greg ,
     I really Value your advice. I was able to get through to original air rebuild service today. They are going to rebuild my Frigidaire  A 6 Compresser . What you have to do is call them and they add you to a list  and send you paperwork . Once  they're ready for your compressor you ship it in. To be honest with you I'm not really sure my compressor needs rebuilding.  It cooled  the car down fine during the summer but I thought it was a little noisy and when I mean noisy I don't mean coming from the pulley bearing . It  had  a sound  more like a mild rumble .  I can remember driving  my 1970 in the mid seventies and and you could not here a sound just the flow of cool fresh  air coming through the vents . I had the original air group rebuild my POA a year ago . I feel very fortunate my AC system works perfectly. I will copy and paste your advice and probably make a Spanner wrench   for that clutch and do exactly what you recommend. We are moving to Florida this spring and I think this is time to get the
Compressor serviced.  Thank you again for your advice .

    Bill

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Hello ,
   Now that the cooler weather is here i removed my Original A-6 twin A/C compresser ( Making a little noise  noise ) and replaced it with a Spare just so i can still drive the car if i need too .        Thank You ,           Bill   

G'day Bill,

There is no need to reinstall a compressor so that the car can be driven as one can install a shorter belt that runs directly from the Crankshaft to the Power Steering Pump.

One of the things that Cadillac engineers took care of was to provide clearance for the shorter belt to be used when the AC wasn't used.

I have one on my '72 and if ever the AC develops a problem, I will still have Power Steering.

Bruce.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello Bruce ,
     That is a great idea .  Very simple I like that .  Now I have what will be a  Dummy Compresser.  That will have the Power supply disconnected  . This way I can still go to a few more shows before the season ends .
       Bruce do you run two belts or just one ?  I just looked at my motor and it looks like that would work just fine .
   Thank you for suggesting that .

       Bill
     

Code Select Expand

[glow=red,2,300][/glow]

[Moody]

A mild rumble probably means the internals are wearing out. Which means a simple rebuild will not fix it. It may need the actual internal compressor assembly replaced. Not to worry, there are loads of A6 compressor parts around. The typical rebuild kit, ( O rings and seals) for these is about $25, and with a couple of unique tools, this can be rebuilt at home.
Dave

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Bill,
The rumble is typically the sound when the system is low on oil. When adding refrigerant to a system that has lost part of its charge it is important to add refrigerant oil as well, since throughout th system the oil is carried by the refrigerant and when you loose refrigerant oil is lost as well.
Greg Surfas

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

       Bruce do you run two belts or just one ?  I just looked at my motor and it looks like that would work just fine .  Thank you for suggesting that . Bill 

Here is a couple of pictures of the two belts, and the Gates Part Numbers.

You can either run the two shorts to completely bypass the AC, or just a single short as most other GM cars running PS use one belt.

Bruce.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

This is the PS only (no AC) belt . It is 47 inches long.
Greg Surfas


https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2756248&cc=1025378&pt=8900&jsn=400

[dochawk]

or just a single short as most other GM cars running PS use one belt.

iirc, the manual for my '72 Eldorado says that there are two belts for AC, and only one without.