More OBA Questions

[Ranger44]

For those who have used the stock A/C compressor, how did you attach the lines to the back of it? I didn't really want to splice hoses into the stock A/C fittings/hoses (and I don't have them any longer). I was thinking however of tapping threads into the holes/fittings on the back of the compressor, and threading new brass fittings into it. What do ya think? I know the compressor case is aluminum and will be a little difficult to tap, but I'd rather do this than some "hack job" of using the stock fitting and splicing the hoses. Anybody ever do this? Thanks

 

[Hahnsb2]

Here's mine. I cut the original lines and then slipped the hose over the metal tubing and clamped it down...

 

[Evan]

I don't see why you couldn't tap and thread a fitting into the compressor.

Splicing into the stock lines can be done cleanly and reliably though. I wouldn't consider it a "hack job".

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

+1 Mine looks just like Hahnsb2. It works just fine.

 

[Ranger44]

I've got a different compressor than Hahnsb2. Mines a 93' 2.3. Uses a compressor like this:

It's a dealership installed type of A/C. It uses a fitting that uses one bolt to press and seal the hose fittings into the compressor openings. Something like this. Plus I no longer have the lines.

It would be nice to have the factory A/C style w/ threads, maybe i could look for one of these in the J yard:

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Just be warned that that style of compressor will not last very long as an OBA compressor. The ones off of the 2.9 will last forever if oiled properly with use. The new sanden style just eat themselves up even when oiled.

 

[Ranger44]

What do you suggest then? Who made the older style and what years do they come on? I think I heard the same thing myself. But it was the R-13 compressors that wouldn't last long, and the R-12 ones that would last a while. Something about the R-12 versions having internal oil resivoirs and doesn't need to use the refrigerant as a supplemental lubrication like a R-13 compressor. Mine would be an R-12.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yours used the oil in the refrigerant to cool it. The only ones that have their own oil reservoir so to speak are the older York compressors. You can use the ones you have (i'm using one right now) but it will not last long, i've gone through 3 in the last year and a half. I'm working on switching over to a york compressor.

 

[Ranger44]

Oh, alright. I know some that run the Sanden compressors with out issue. Do you run an inline oiler? Or do you just add oil? Does it matter the kind of oil you run?

Clicky:

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/?p=105

 

[Tweeder]

if you got the stock A/C lines, you could put a 3/8" (?) flare fitting on there pretty easy and couple that to pressure lines of your choice.

 

[Tweeder]

Yours used the oil in the refrigerant to cool it. The only ones that have their own oil reservoir so to speak are the older York compressors. You can use the ones you have (i'm using one right now) but it will not last long, i've gone through 3 in the last year and a half. I'm working on switching over to a york compressor.

i been thinking about a kind of recirculating oiling system for that......run a seperator behind the compressor to pull the oil out of the air into a reservoir. set the reservoir high enough (on the firewall?) that the oil can gravity feed the inlet of the compressor.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ranger44, i did exactly what you were suggesting with my compressor. i cut the hard lines off of the compressor manifold and drilled/tapped the holes for air fittings. i havnt finished installing the system yet, but that part is ready to go.

sasquatch, it sounds like you may be starving your compressors for oil. i work with a guy that is using his stock chevy r134a a/c compressor for OBA and its been running for YEARS.

when i deleted my a/c, i took apart and cleaned the compressor. i also lubed all moving parts up with heavy bearing grease. im hoping this will help to further protect the compressors guts....at least until all the grease disappears. by the looks of the compressors internals, it doesnt look hard at all to make these things last as long as they receive ample oil.

 

[Ranger44]

Wicked, I am really looking into one of the factory compressors with the threaded fittings already on there. I may be able to switch em out with a buddy. But if worse comes to worse I'll hust tap the one I already have.

One I want(factory installed style):

One I have(dealer installed style):

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

that bottom one is a factory installed compressor.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

sasquatch, it sounds like you may be starving your compressors for oil. i work with a guy that is using his stock chevy r134a a/c compressor for OBA and its been running for YEARS.

I had inline oilers, that didn't work, oiled it manually before and during use, that didn't work either. I'm not the only one having problems with the newer sanden compressors. The style that came on the 2.9 seem to last forever, but the 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0L compressors just don't hold up to much use even with ample oil. They start spitting out some nice black sludge and then seize.