a/c conversion to Sanden Pro6ten
- Thread starter jksvet
- Start date
I used the Pro6ten compressor when I rebuilt my A/C system a couple of years ago.
I got the polished model.
Fit, finish and function are all good.
The only thing I don't like about the design is the shiny bolts sticking out of the clutch cover.
I may paint them black, someday.
It works very well for me.
I went with R12 because I already had a few cans.
Here's my thread on this project.
nastyz28.com
Hope it goes well for you!
I got the polished model.
Fit, finish and function are all good.
The only thing I don't like about the design is the shiny bolts sticking out of the clutch cover.
I may paint them black, someday.
It works very well for me.
I went with R12 because I already had a few cans.
Here's my thread on this project.
A/C System Replacement Project
I finally started this project. I've got a whole new "factory" type replacement system. I wasn't sure where to start as this is going to be a tedious, time consuming project. I decided to start with the condenser. Tip: The Condenser CAN be removed/installed without removing the radiator...
Hope it goes well for you!
Did you notice any difference from the Pro6tem from the old a6 style in regards to how the engine responds when its being used? This old a6 really is a drain on the motor. Had an ac guy tell me they take about 8-10 HP to operate them. At idle, it drops about 200 rpm.
I didn't notice a difference between the two compressors.
I have the A/C idle solenoid installed on my Q-Jet so the throttle lever gets a little bump when the compressor kicks in.
That solenoid keeps the idle speed very steady whether the A/C is on or off.
You can see the solenoid top/center in the pic I posted above.
I have the A/C idle solenoid installed on my Q-Jet so the throttle lever gets a little bump when the compressor kicks in.
That solenoid keeps the idle speed very steady whether the A/C is on or off.
You can see the solenoid top/center in the pic I posted above.
Mine is, and always has been, an automatic.
I never thought about it, but... a manual may not have that solenoid.
The transmission would normally either be in Neutral or the clutch depressed at idle speed.
It's just one wire coming off the harness. (At the point where power goes to the compressor.)
The solenoid grounds through the carb connection.
It wouldn't be difficult to splice in a wire for that purpose.
You could even run it off the plug for the compressor, rather than tracing it back to the main A/C harness.
I never thought about it, but... a manual may not have that solenoid.
The transmission would normally either be in Neutral or the clutch depressed at idle speed.
It's just one wire coming off the harness. (At the point where power goes to the compressor.)
The solenoid grounds through the carb connection.
It wouldn't be difficult to splice in a wire for that purpose.
You could even run it off the plug for the compressor, rather than tracing it back to the main A/C harness.
I went through your thread, and made a few phone calls. I think I got some bad info from Original Air, contacted Vintage Air, and they sent me to Old Air Products, who seemed to be pretty knowledgeable. I'm going to go your route with the Pro6Ten, takes similar HP to drive as the short Sanden unit. I've been looking at ac hose options, and none of them appear to look like the large insulated factory hose. You could make the argument that why would I care since I'm putting on a different looking compressor, but I am trying to keep that look. Do you know if the look of the hose is actually different or it could be the pictures on the internet not being applicable. From reading the thread, it appears that it should have a 5 1/2" pulley? is that what yours is? Mine is a 79 so I'm curious if I'm going to need the 80 belt. Lastly, I've seen on other threads where the Pro6Ten was metric, but you said yours bolted right up. Do you recall if yours had metric threads? Trying to be prepared once I tear into this. Thanks for all your guidance.
Yes... The Pro6Ten has metric thread mounting bolts. (So did the factory 80-81 compressors.)
The Pro6Ten should work fine with your brackets as I doubt the bolts are larger than the hole in the bracket.
Worse case... You may need to drill the three mounting holes in your bracket but I doubt that will be necessary. AND...There are no threads in the bracket holes to worry about.
Just be sure to
The external diameter of the clutch face on the Pro6Ten is 5-1/4" inches. (Just measured)
You should be able to use the factory size belt but I can't guarantee that.
I'm using the factory spec belt for my 80 with no issues.
I apparently had the wrong one on there before I started the retro fit.
(My brackets are the originals to the car, which was built with a V6. I doubt that matters for the A/C system but my power steering bracket and pump IS a bit different.
The only hose which is noticeably different is the high pressure line from the condenser to the evaporator. The replacement is larger diameter and doesn't have the hard plastic casing like the factory hose.
It still fit into the clip to the fan shroud and doesn't look out of place unless you are comparing it to a factory A/C system.
That was the hose I had to add the copper spacer on the end for it to seal properly in the evaporator coupling.
That spacer has caused no issues.
My research found a different evaporator number for the 80-81 Camaro so you may not encounter that issue with the coupling.
Like you mentioned... the Pro6Ten compressor looks nothing like the factory compressor so I wasn't worried about the one hose looking a different.
You may be able to reuse your hoses if everything comes apart nicely and they are in good condition. Just flush them and replace the O rings before you reassemble everything.
My hose had frozen couplings and my evaporator had a leak.
I opted to replace everything... Just to be sure.
That also saved me having to flush any of it since the whole system was comprised of new components.
Hope this helps!
The Pro6Ten should work fine with your brackets as I doubt the bolts are larger than the hole in the bracket.
Worse case... You may need to drill the three mounting holes in your bracket but I doubt that will be necessary. AND...There are no threads in the bracket holes to worry about.
Just be sure to
The external diameter of the clutch face on the Pro6Ten is 5-1/4" inches. (Just measured)
You should be able to use the factory size belt but I can't guarantee that.
I'm using the factory spec belt for my 80 with no issues.
I apparently had the wrong one on there before I started the retro fit.
(My brackets are the originals to the car, which was built with a V6. I doubt that matters for the A/C system but my power steering bracket and pump IS a bit different.
The only hose which is noticeably different is the high pressure line from the condenser to the evaporator. The replacement is larger diameter and doesn't have the hard plastic casing like the factory hose.
It still fit into the clip to the fan shroud and doesn't look out of place unless you are comparing it to a factory A/C system.
That was the hose I had to add the copper spacer on the end for it to seal properly in the evaporator coupling.
That spacer has caused no issues.
My research found a different evaporator number for the 80-81 Camaro so you may not encounter that issue with the coupling.
Like you mentioned... the Pro6Ten compressor looks nothing like the factory compressor so I wasn't worried about the one hose looking a different.
You may be able to reuse your hoses if everything comes apart nicely and they are in good condition. Just flush them and replace the O rings before you reassemble everything.
My hose had frozen couplings and my evaporator had a leak.
I opted to replace everything... Just to be sure.
That also saved me having to flush any of it since the whole system was comprised of new components.
Hope this helps!
Looking at on old pic of my engine compartment with the factory components...
l realize the other factory hoses have a slightly ribbed texure.
The hose from the compressor to the condenser is a bit long in this pic because that was a V6 hose and a V6 engine puts the compressor rearward another couple of inches.
Thankfully, it now has a V8 because I don't think anyone sells that hose/manifold combo for a V6.
l realize the other factory hoses have a slightly ribbed texure.
The hose from the compressor to the condenser is a bit long in this pic because that was a V6 hose and a V6 engine puts the compressor rearward another couple of inches.
Thankfully, it now has a V8 because I don't think anyone sells that hose/manifold combo for a V6.
I would think that the throttle-kicker solenoid would be needed on BOTH man and auto transmission applications. The compressor load would affect hot base idle speed on both, regardless of the trans behind the engine . . . when, of course, the a/c compressor was working.
