Eric,
I'd forget replacing the OEM A-6 compressor with another one. When new,
and for many years thereafter, it was the best automotive compressor made
-- high capacity, durable, and extremely reliable. But GM quit using them
after about 1985. New ones, if available (which I doubt) will be very
expensive; rebuilt ones don't seem to be anywhere near as good as the OEM
ones. Besides that, they do NOT fit well in the GMC -- the location and
the bracketry create a service nightmare. Many years ago, I bought a
Sanden (actually a clone, IIRC) from a junk yard, out of something like a
Volvo -- Sandens and quality clones were used in a LOT of different cars,
as OEM and aftermarket. I did not try to find the version which uses
GMC-compatible hose fittings (they ARE available) but had the Sanden's hose
fittings moved, by an air conditioning shop, onto my OEM hoses. Mounting
the compressor was trivially simple: there were 4 mounting lugs around the
front of the Sanden. The forward bracket on the GMC is a flat steel plate
with 4 holes within 1/16" of those on the Sanden; a rat-tail file made them
align almost immediately. For increased stability, I added a diagonal
brace from the rear of the Sanden to a cylinder head bolt (one with a
threaded stud on its top). Belt alignment was not a problem (I've since
moved all this to a Cad500 engine modified with serpentine belts).
Filled with Duracool (about 2-1/2 cans), that system has provided excellent
cooling for well over 10 years now, with never a moment's problem ('tho' my
son did just add some Duracool). Access the the right cylinder head is
greatly improved and the overall weight change, with loss of the OEM iron
brackets and the heavy compresssor, may approach 50 lbs!
While I did it as described above, there are complete kits available from
various sources, including Applied GMC. Quit beating your head against
that 40+ year old A6.
Ken H.
> Hello All,Reaching out to anyone who has experienced compressor issues
> with the stock AC system?We recently picked up our TZE here in Ontario and
> took it to Borrmann's Garage in Bluevale for some mechanical work and road
> safety certification. The initial repair for the cab AC was a few O-rings,
> evacuation and recharge. In the last few weeks of test drives, the
> compressor began to get noisy and we opted to have a rebuilt compressor put
> in. The first one installed would not build enough pressure, the second
> one was seized out of the box. A third one is going in tomorrow, and if
> that fails, we will address it in the Spring with an alternate rebuild or a
> updated
conversion.Any thoughts on the rebuilds or an updated system?Thank
> you,Eric
> Eric Roell, Aurora, Ontario76 Glenbrook "Safari" 76,000 miles,Alcoa,
> Continental Kit, Fender Flares, Stainless Exhaust, Macerator, Ragusa Step
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