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Necoa #: 2080
Location: 7(AL,GA,TN)
Joined: Dec 31, 2003
Posts: 29
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 6:21 am Post subject: Relocating AC Compressor on 4th Generation
I have a 77 Elky and one of my grips is the AC Compressor is on the drivers side. Don't ask me why GM put it over there. Seems like they spent a lot of money for no reason.
What I would like to do is relocate it to the passenger side. This seems simple enough. I need a condensor with passenger side fittings, shorter hoses and brackets.
I've just finished putting a Serpentine system on my 76 that is about the only reliable way to re-locate the GM style compressor. A Condenser from a late 80's Camaro should suffice for that part then you need to do something with the combination Dryer/Accumulator /orifice. I got a accumulator for an 80 Elky it fit on the evaporator fine. The other hurdle is making a hose for the high-pressure side with an orifice tube. I ordered one from an auto parts store, generic orifice tube. I am making a line for the high side. AeroQuip now makes some fittings and braded hose that is designed for AC applications and allows you to do your own work. It even looks nice.
The other option is to purchase a whole setup from March or Zoops that have the compressor mount on the passenger side. Then you will still have to make hoses and get a sandon compressor, which is actually better than a stock GM compressor, keeps working up to 9000 RPM, and uses less energy off the engine to turn.
So there are two good ways to go. My serpentine system came off a 91 Chevy Pickup. If you go that route get the whole sa'-bang don't leave anything behind. The fan will rotate different and the water pump is rotating opposite, the Alternator is smaller and is a one wire set up not like the one that you now have plus its all using a different belt so nothing you have now will fit. Nothing! Either method.
Now that its all done and working I like it a lot better and I got rid of a vibration issue when that happened that I didn't realize was a result of the aftermarket pulleys I had installed (Polished Aluminum) _________________ Home Site: http://www.elcaminoplace.com
1972 El Camino Custom 400
1976 El Camino Classic
1980 El Camino Super Sport
E-Mail: engstrvr@sbcglobal.net
Necoa #: 2080
Location: 7(AL,GA,TN)
Joined: Dec 31, 2003
Posts: 29
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 8:44 pm Post subject:
I am hoping to keep the long Harrison compressor. I believe (but not sure) some of the older Chevys had the compressor on the passenger side. A friend of mine mentioned he thought Buicks had the compressor on the passenger side.
I am removing the newer center bolt engine (previous owner installed) and rebuilding an old style 4 bolt main engine this week. Next mod will be changing the trans from auto to manual.
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 11:39 pm Post subject:
Pontiac's have them on the passenger side too. AT least the 69 firebird's do as well as the GTO's I believe. _________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Necoa #: 1579
Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina
Joined: Oct 02, 2003
Posts: 59
Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 7:12 pm Post subject:
Some Buicks and Pontiacs did indeed have the compressors on the passenger side, but I don't think any of these brackets are going to bolt up to a small block (or big block) Chevy.
Necoa #: 302
Location: Southwest Virginia
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Posts: 33
Posted: Sat May 15, 2004 2:46 pm Post subject:
I have the serpetine belt on my elkie and I used the High pressure hose assy for a 1987 Caprice. It fits great. I also used the condensor from the 87 Caprice.
Necoa #: 2314
Location: 20(HI)
Joined: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 3653
Year: 1979
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 3:57 pm Post subject:
UH....I'm missing something here. Is there any reason why having the AC compressor or the right side of the engine is preferable to the left? _________________ 1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe
Corvettes have it on the right side- ideal since the evap. is on the right side. It could be set up like a Corvette w/ the lines running from the compressor forward to the condensor & back to the evap. w/o lines across the engine. A very clean setup. Have a Sanden type setup on the Corvette.
Older full size Chevys have it on the right side.
The Corvettes use a short water pump, so a spacer would be needed. _________________ Corvette Stingray 383
Necoa #: 3296
Location: Granite Bay, CA
Joined: Jun 04, 2004
Posts: 292
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Relocating AC Compressor on 4th Generation
daves77 wrote:
I have a 77 Elky and one of my grips is the AC Compressor is on the drivers side. Don't ask me why GM put it over there. Seems like they spent a lot of money for no reason.
What I would like to do is relocate it to the passenger side. This seems simple enough. I need a condensor with passenger side fittings, shorter hoses and brackets.
Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or I did its.
Thanks for any help.
Dave
From a purely bracket perspective I recommend checking out:
They might not be sexy but they have about the most diverse collection of brackets I've seen.
As to the other stuff... sounds like mostly a matter of making the right lines up.
I am putting A/C on a '68 and putting the Alt on DS and A/C on PS. Along with power steering, BB, and long water pump I did not see many brackets to get me there. But Grove has exactly what I needed as well as some really weird specialized stuff.
Steve _________________ Project: '68 El Camino SS 396 clone w/4spd
Daily driver: 2001 Mustang Bullitt
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