A/C condenser

[tucsonjwt]

Does anyone know of an a parallel flow condenser that will be a direct replacement for the stock condenser in my 83 without modifying the mounting or hose routing? I need a new compressor and think I should replace condenser at the same time. Also, any thoughts on a replacement for my old A6 compressor?

[homemade87]

I tried to find one for my 82, but the hoses on my 82 was on the drivers side . I had OReillys order one for my year truck and connections were on the pass side . We ordered several more with no success .I think your connections are pass side . Most likley would work for your 83. I never did find one for my 82 . I dont know why 81 & 82 trucks were like this . I gave up and used my original tube and fin and flushed it out . Works great .

[DieselSJ]

http://www.ackits.com/index.php?rout...rch=CN+3642PFC

I used that one in my 87. I tried a couple different ones from local chain stores and none really fit. The unit from ACKits comes with new rubber mounts also. I have a 4 door and the AC will actually make the cab uncomfortably cold in August here in Phoenix.

[DieselSJ]

Most new "A6" replacements are going to be a H6, which is a great compressor. Has the exact dimensions of the A6 and same line connections. Again, I went through 3 rebuilt A6 units and they all seized when I was charging the system. Finally bought a new H6 and have been very happy with the results. I can't run the system on high full-time because the cab will get too cold. I get a 45-50 degree drop from ambient when the outside temps are over 100.

Also replace your receiver/dryer and flush the evaporator and all the lines.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by DieselSJ

Most new "A6" replacements are going to be a H6, which is a great compressor. Has the exact dimensions of the A6 and same line connections. Again, I went through 3 rebuilt A6 units and they all seized when I was charging the system. Finally bought a new H6 and have been very happy with the results. I can't run the system on high full-time because the cab will get too cold. I get a 45-50 degree drop from ambient when the outside temps are over 100.

Also replace your receiver/dryer and flush the evaporator and all the lines.

You should be able to get parallel flow condensers with inlet and outlets on either end. They won't just drop in you'll have to make up brackets to mount em.

Honestly, as long as it's not contaminated by black death, the original condenser is so big it's not necessary to get a parallel flow unit. Flush the old oil and crud out of all the hard lines, Evaporator, and condenser. Then replace the dryer/accumulator.

Too bad the A6 rebuilds are of such poor quality. It's such a huge compressor so it'll will freeze you right out of the cabin even on R134a.

One thing to keep in mind about replacement compressors is the oil it ships with will be of unknown pedigree and contaminated with water. I always dump it out and re-fill with fresh clean oil from an unopened container just before I close the system up and vac it down or sweep with MIG or TIG welding gas.

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by hatzie

You should be able to get parallel flow condensers with inlet and outlets on either end. They won't just drop in you'll have to make up brackets to mount em.

The one I linked to will drop in - it is a parallel flow design replacement.

Honestly, as long as it's not contaminated by black death, the original condenser is so big it's not necessary to get a parallel flow unit. Flush the old oil and crud out of all the hard lines, Evaporator, and condenser. Then replace the dryer/accumulator.

It is big, but those tube/fin units just aren't efficient enough.

One thing to keep in mind about replacement compressors is the oil it ships with will be of unknown pedigree and contaminated with water. I always dump it out and re-fill with fresh clean oil from an unopened container

Great advice

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by DieselSJ

It is big, but those tube/fin units just aren't efficient enough.

For a regular cab pickup they're many times overkill even using R134a.
Suburbans, Crew Cabs, and Blazers may be another story.

HFC152 & Hydrocarbon refrigerants will work very very well using the old tube and fin condenser with much lower head pressures than the R134a. I've used both.

If you have to replace the condenser then installing a parallel flow unit is just fine.

Whatever replacement refrigerant you run you can't just charge it by weight the first time. I've posted the JungleEddy method to charge with your favorite without overcharging the system. If you use a scale to weigh how much it takes to properly fill the system you can write the charge weight down to make subsequent re-charges easier.

I tend to lean toward Ester oil for retrofit refrigerant charges because, unlike PAG, it'll put up with any mineral oil you can't get flushed out of the system.

[tucsonjwt]

DieselSJ: Which H6 compressor did you use? It looks to me like the mounting, hose attachments, etc. are different than the A6. Is is a direct fit with no modifications required? Do you have a link to the one you used?

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

DieselSJ: Which H6 compressor did you use? It looks to me like the mounting, hose attachments, etc. are different than the A6. Is is a direct fit with no modifications required? Do you have a link to the one you used?

http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...13#tab-reviews

[tucsonjwt]

Thanks for the link. Did it require mods? Autozone shows "does not fit your 1983 C20."

[nm78bronco]

Last year, I bought a brand new A-6 compressor, (not reman). I bet it is still available.

[tucsonjwt]

Where did you get your new A6?

[nm78bronco]

The company that makes new A-6 compressors is called Alma Products. You can do an internet search on "Alma Products" to find out what they have to say about their product.

I bought this new A-6 compressor thru Arizona Mobile Air, Inc. (ackits.com).

[tucsonjwt]

I took my 83 into the A/C shop yesterday. The shop owner has an 84 C10 SB big block, so he knows my situation. The verdict is that the old A6 has a knock, but is still cooling. The system was evacuated and recharged and put out somewhat acceptably cool temperature but only with the higher engine rpms. My current carburetor does not have a fast idle solenoid, so I think I will just turn the throttle bracket set screw a little for the summer to bring up the RPMs. I drive the truck very little, and my gas mileage is already poor with a BB 4:10 anyway.

I was advised to see if I can tolerate the A/C as is prior to investing in major surgery. The recommended replacement compressor was a Sanden, which would require essentially rebuilding everything under the hood. They have sufficient, but significantly less, gross cooling output, but are more reliable.

I did some research on a new A6. I think Alma Products is the only one still making new A6 compressors (mostly for heavy equipment and farm equipment.) Their website states that they have improved the seal from a birdcage to double lipped design, improved the felt seal, and have newer styled better pistons. I don't know if this is advertising hype or is a real improvement. The also remanufacture A6 compressors, so my guess is these are the private branded reman compressors you see on Ebay, Amazon, etc.

Rock Auto has some "new" compressors, but they are all from "various suppliers" or Four Seasons. The only new Delco A6 is actually a rebadged S6, as far as we could tell from the pictures. ($385) I was told that the S6 compressors are Chinese made and of very poor quality. This shop would not install one.

I took apart the dash pad and removed all of the interior ductwork to make sure that all of the vacuum controls and associated doors are functioning properly and it all seems to work OK.

I was told that there was no obstruction (such as a rodent nest or leaf accumulation) in the heater box.

The evaporator was OK.

I will have to see if the truck cools ok in the 115 degree August monsoon heat.

BTW - They had a '36 Cadillac rat rod in the shop with a supercharged LS Cadillac engine (556 hp.) After a chopped top, sectioning, etc. there was not much left to that body. They said the owner wanted to keep it all "Cadillac." Not my cup of tea, but obviously a lot was invested in it. I am guessing that the owner was not too concerned about the cost of a custom A/C system.

[tucsonjwt]

I just got back an answer to an inquiry on a "new" A6 compressor listed on Ebay for $332.

Thank you for your inquiry, we appreciate you shopping with us!
This is a brand new compressor and it comes with a one year unlimited mileage warranty.
There's nothing in our tech notes on who the manufacture is.

[Cadillac Kid]

Originally Posted by hatzie

You should be able to get parallel flow condensers with inlet and outlets on either end. They won't just drop in you'll have to make up brackets to mount em.

Been looking for a parallel flow condenser with the inlet and outlet on different sides for my 1974 c10. I know I'll have to fab up some brackets, but I can't find one that ha the inlet and outlet on ether end. I guess once its time to get reinstate the a/c i'll ether use the original, or get the one like in the link and have a a/c shop add a line to re route on the the ports on the condenser to the other side of the core support.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Cadillac Kid

Been looking for a parallel flow condenser with the inlet and outlet on different sides for my 1974 c10. I know I'll have to fab up some brackets, but I can't find one that ha the inlet and outlet on ether end. I guess once its time to get reinstate the a/c i'll ether use the original, or get the one like in the link and have a a/c shop add a line to re route on the the ports on the condenser to the other side of the core support.

Route a hard line over the top or under the bottom. Clamp it to your brackets with nitrile covered P-Clamps so the additional hard line and the condenser become a solid unit. This minimizes vibration load on the fitting and tube at the condenser outlet/inlet.

[tucsonjwt]

The A/C shop I took my 83 C20 to (see above) said that AC Delco 15-6960 will be a direct fit on my truck. He has an 84 BB. I have no personal experience with this one.

Some customers seem unhappy with it:


https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-69.../dp/B000C9DGMI