AC Compressor with Vortec - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**truckster** · 07-04-2017, 01:44 AM

I'm getting ready to put a Vortec engine in my Blazer. The Blazer has factory air, and I plan on getting the AC working. I'm using the accessories from the Vortec with the serpentine drive, but the PO of the truck the Vortec came out of had removed the compressor. What would be the best compressor to use with these brackets and R134A? I realize I might need to have some AC line custom made.

weim55 · 07-04-2017, 11:03 AM

When you refer to Vortech, are you talking Gen one small block or LS?

Steve weim55 Colorado

**truckster** · 07-04-2017, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weim55

When you refer to Vortech, are you talking Gen one small block or LS?

Steve weim55 Colorado

L31 Vortec from a 98 Express van.

F.A.A.benny · 07-04-2017, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

L31 Vortec from a 98 Express van.

That's going to be a 2nd small block. 3rd gen started with the corvette ls1 in 1998. For that accessory setup you are going to run either an r4 like what would have came on it originally or a sanden. I personally would run a sanden. Those compressors are tried and true.

weim55 · 07-04-2017, 05:37 PM

I don't know if this is 100% across-the-board but I noticed if that engine is equipped with dealer installed/aftermarket AC it will use the sandon compressor and the appropriate bracket to go with the rest of the serpentine system. The Sandon unit has every available fitting you can think of available easily making swaps to other vehicles much easier. I found it's usually not too difficult to source the brackets through junkyards for cheap and just buy a new Sanden compressor. I'll bet a place like vintage air sells a bracket for the Sanden to mate with your system as well.

Steve weim55 Colorado

weim55 · 07-04-2017, 05:49 PM

Just out of curiosity, does the van engine use the MPI injection system that is under the top of the intake manifold or a throttlebody injection system?

Steve wei55 Colorado

57taskforce · 07-04-2017, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weim55

Just out of curiosity, does the van engine use the MPI injection system that is under the top of the intake manifold or a throttlebody injection system?

Steve wei55 Colorado

L31 uses a multi point system sorta. It's the vortec 350 from the 1996-00 ish old body style trucks.(yes they were still around in 00 in some 3/4-1 ton trucks).

**truckster** · 07-04-2017, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weim55

Just out of curiosity, does the van engine use the MPI injection system that is under the top of the intake manifold or a throttlebody injection system?

Steve wei55 Colorado

Yes, it's the MPI system, but mine is HEI/Quadrajet.

**Tom Vogel** · 07-05-2017, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

Yes, it's the MPI system, but mine is HEI/Quadrajet.

Just out of curiosity, how many miles on that motor? 22year old express van? For how cheap you can get a newer fuel injected ls3, just makes me wonder if it's worth it.

**CUSTOM/10** · 07-05-2017, 10:02 AM

If your using a stock GM serp set-up and your vortec heads have roller rockers & tall valve covers to clear the rockers you will probably have clearance issues with a sanden compressor. I did and had to make some mods for the compressor to clear the valve covers. Look at my pictures in this link :

Gary

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...259859&page=14

**truckster** · 07-05-2017, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Just out of curiosity, how many miles on that motor? 22year old express van? For how cheap you can get a newer fuel injected ls3, just makes me wonder if it's worth it.

Fresh out of the machine shop, so 0 miles on the motor. Other folks might want an LS engine; I wanted a Vortec. What can I say? I like the sound of a Quadrajet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

If your using a stock GM serp set-up and your vortec heads have roller rockers & tall valve covers to clear the rockers you will probably have clearance issues with a sanden compressor.

I'm using stamped rockers, so I don't need the tall valve covers. Thanks for the link and the pictures.

71meangreenc10 · 07-05-2017, 11:49 AM

I used the Sanden instead of the R4 on my V8. You need to get the adapter brackets for it to work. Here is an example. I used the serpentine system off a Vortec. Can take pics if needed.

https://www.dirtydingo.com/shop/page...Dpath=3&pID=42

Smitty

**truckster** · 07-07-2017, 01:25 AM

Did you use the SD7H15? As far as adapter brackets, is it just the spacer?

07-04-2017, 01:44 AM	#1
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,798	AC Compressor with Vortec I'm getting ready to put a Vortec engine in my Blazer. The Blazer has factory air, and I plan on getting the AC working. I'm using the accessories from the Vortec with the serpentine drive, but the PO of the truck the Vortec came out of had removed the compressor. What would be the best compressor to use with these brackets and R134A? I realize I might need to have some AC line custom made. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

07-04-2017, 11:03 AM	#2
weim55 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Larkspur, Colorado Posts: 904	Re: AC Compressor with Vortec When you refer to Vortech, are you talking Gen one small block or LS? Steve weim55 Colorado

07-04-2017, 05:37 PM	#5
weim55 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Larkspur, Colorado Posts: 904	Re: AC Compressor with Vortec I don't know if this is 100% across-the-board but I noticed if that engine is equipped with dealer installed/aftermarket AC it will use the sandon compressor and the appropriate bracket to go with the rest of the serpentine system. The Sandon unit has every available fitting you can think of available easily making swaps to other vehicles much easier. I found it's usually not too difficult to source the brackets through junkyards for cheap and just buy a new Sanden compressor. I'll bet a place like vintage air sells a bracket for the Sanden to mate with your system as well. Steve weim55 Colorado

07-04-2017, 05:49 PM	#6
weim55 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Larkspur, Colorado Posts: 904	Re: AC Compressor with Vortec Just out of curiosity, does the van engine use the MPI injection system that is under the top of the intake manifold or a throttlebody injection system? Steve wei55 Colorado

07-05-2017, 10:02 AM	#10
CUSTOM/10 Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sandown, NH Posts: 2,796	Re: AC Compressor with Vortec If your using a stock GM serp set-up and your vortec heads have roller rockers & tall valve covers to clear the rockers you will probably have clearance issues with a sanden compressor. I did and had to make some mods for the compressor to clear the valve covers. Look at my pictures in this link : Gary http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...259859&page=14 __________________ Gary 72 SWB 4x4 My 72 SWB Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259859

07-05-2017, 11:49 AM	#12
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,158	Re: AC Compressor with Vortec I used the Sanden instead of the R4 on my V8. You need to get the adapter brackets for it to work. Here is an example. I used the serpentine system off a Vortec. Can take pics if needed. https://www.dirtydingo.com/shop/page...Dpath=3&pID=42 Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time

07-07-2017, 01:25 AM	#13
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,798	Re: AC Compressor with Vortec Did you use the SD7H15? As far as adapter brackets, is it just the spacer? __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson



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