Mounting an AC compressor on stock 6.2?

[erasedhammer]

With summer being here, I am diving into the task of adding AC to my m1028.
The AC kits around that replace the entire air box and come with all the controls, ducting, vents, lines, and condenser look to be a turn-key option for not a ton of money (currently looking at the classicautoair kit). Only problem is none of those AC kit companies make a plug-n-play compressor and bracket solution for the 6.2 diesel.

So, What is the cheapest way to slap a AC compressor on this engine?
I have a 4bd1t sitting in the garage, so this 6.2 will be eventually taken out, which is why I don't want to spend too much on the engine side of the AC conversion. But the engine swap is probably 3 years out, and I would like to be comfortable while driving for the next 3 summers.

I have a 12v converted 6.2, and the drivers alternator is gone. Can this mount be reused for a compressor? What compressor and other bracketry would be needed if possible?


I should also preface with I have basically zero access to junk yard 6.2/6.5 diesels. Idk why but in the 3 years of monitoring the local junk yards, I have never seen those diesels come through. Plenty of small block 70s-80s chevy/gmc's but no diesels.

If the drivers alt mount can't be used, do I have to tear all the front end components off, and get a full pulley/bracket kit for a humvee or civi truck? Or can I just use a 4/5 groove crank pulley and mount some compressor under the passenger alternator?

 

[NDT]

The 6.5 was used up until 2001 or so in various vehicles including vans, most of the time with A/C. Those newer vehicles are sometimes hard to spot in junk yards. Anyway, that serp setup is the most reliable I can think of.

 

[erasedhammer]

The 6.5 was used up until 2001 or so in various vehicles including vans, most of the time with A/C. Those newer vehicles are sometimes hard to spot in junk yards. Anyway, that serp setup is the most reliable I can think of.

I definitely agree that a serpentine setup is better and more reliable. But even pulling all the components from a junk yard truck would still cost a bit, and be very time intensive to pull the entire front end of an engine thats junk (to me) in a couple years. Definitely cheaper than buying all components new/old online.

To be honest, I've also looked for any diesel in junk yards and they are not common.

 

[dezertdemond]

Nostalgic ac has a full kit for this. They have a compressor bracket that mounts below the passenger side alternator and comes with an add on crank pulley to drive it. You can buy the whole kit from them or just the compressor mounting setup. Great option as long as your not turbo, as the turbo is in the way where the compressor sits.

 

[erasedhammer]

Nostalgic ac has a full kit for this. They have a compressor bracket that mounts below the passenger side alternator and comes with an add on crank pulley to drive it. You can buy the whole kit from them or just the compressor mounting setup. Great option as long as your not turbo, as the turbo is in the way where the compressor sits.

That looks like a good option. Do you happen to know what part number it is on their site? They appear to have a ton of options for chevy compressor mounting.

 

[dezertdemond]

I just put a vintage ac in mine and mounted the compressor, a Sanden 508, where the drivers alternator used to be. Had to source factory A6 compressor brackets, an adapter kit from A6 to Sanden, and then still modify both sets of brackets to make it work.

If I did it over again I would try to source the factory A6 brackets and buy the new style, more efficient compressor that mimicks the size and shape of the old A6 compressor. Or find factory brackets for the HR6 compressor and run that. Both of those mount where the drivers alternator used to be.

 

[dezertdemond]

Call them. I called and they were extremely nice and helpful. I'm not sure they list the bracket kit separate on the site but I know they will sell and ship it to you

 

[Sharecropper]

Read post #301 in my rebuild thread.

 

[chevymike]

And don't worry about being able to buy a full kit from them. I just checked a couple weeks back and the CUCV kit they offer, the company that made their A/C housing went out of business so they cannot source anything at this point.

 

[Sharecropper]

And don't worry about being able to buy a full kit from them. I just checked a couple weeks back and the CUCV kit they offer, the company that made their A/C housing went out of business so they cannot source anything at this point.

The company that produced the A/C brackets for Vintage Air was Component Parts Inc. in Ft. Worth TX. In my dealings with them, I got the impression that they were a small, family owned & operated business with no exit strategy. Herb & Lillian (I forgot their last name) owned the company and I spoke with Lillian on several occasions. Lillian stated that they were old with no kids interested in keeping the company going. So I am not surprised if, in fact, they decided to close-up shop. However having said that, I ordered my CUCV A/C bracket kit directly from them and they shipped it the same day. They had to ship it C.O.D. because they weren't set up to accept credit cards! After receiving and installing the kit, I discovered several things which needed improvement. Firstly, the installation instructions were junk and appeared to have been copied on a 1950's Zerox copier. The instructions were simply no help in understanding how everything went together. For that, I just had to figure things out myself. Secondly, and more important, the alternator bolt hole in the lower bracket did not align with the lower alternator bolt. I had to "waller" out the hole approximately half-a-hole in order to get things bolted up. Then, the brace bracket which applies tension to the A/C compressor belt was engineered to be in the least-ideal location. I changed this myself in order to better apply and maintain belt tension. I made the kit work, however I don't see how anybody could install the kit with the engine still in the truck. I was fortunate that my P400 was still on my engine stand and I could see what needed to be done. Also, the kit arrived with no crank pulley spacer. The pulley could not be bolted inside the lower OEM pulley without it, so I made another call to Ms. Lillian and she mailed me a spacer. When the spacer arrived, it was quite obvious that it was not the correct thickness, as the kit pulley mis-aligned with the Sanden pully by approximately 5/8". There was no doubt in my mind that if a belt had been installed on the crank and compressor pulleys, it probably wouldn't have lasted 500 miles. I wound up taking the spacer to my machine shop friend and had him produce an identical spacer but with the correct thickness. In summary, I was extremely disappointed in the kit to say the least.

Because I am preparing to install a Bullet Supercharger, which has it's own 6-rib crank pulley, I will be abandoning the A/C crank pulley altogether. I plan to ship the Sanden 508 compressor back to Sanden and have then change the pulley from a V-belt type to a 6-rib. I will then install an extra idler pulley on the supercharger plate and run the A/C compressor from the supercharger pulley line. For anybody wanting to mount an A/C compressor on a CUCV engine, I suggest producing a custom bracket which would mount on the drivers side alternator and be driven by a 2-groove pulley on that alternator.

Hope this helps.

 

[erasedhammer]

The company that produced the A/C brackets for Vintage Air was Component Parts Inc. in Ft. Worth TX. In my dealings with them, I got the impression that they were a small, family owned & operated business with no exit strategy. Herb & Lillian (I forgot their last name) owned the company and I spoke with Lillian on several occasions. Lillian stated that they were old with no kids interested in keeping the company going. So I am not surprised if, in fact, they decided to close-up shop. However having said that, I ordered my CUCV A/C bracket kit directly from them and they shipped it the same day. They had to ship it C.O.D. because they weren't set up to accept credit cards! After receiving and installing the kit, I discovered several things which needed improvement. Firstly, the installation instructions were junk and appeared to have been copied on a 1950's Zerox copier. The instructions were simply no help in understanding how everything went together. For that, I just had to figure things out myself. Secondly, and more important, the alternator bolt hole in the lower bracket did not align with the lower alternator bolt. I had to "waller" out the hole approximately half-a-hole in order to get things bolted up. Then, the brace bracket which applies tension to the A/C compressor belt was engineered to be in the least-ideal location. I changed this myself in order to better apply and maintain belt tension. I made the kit work, however I don't see how anybody could install the kit with the engine still in the truck. I was fortunate that my P400 was still on my engine stand and I could see what needed to be done. Also, the kit arrived with no crank pulley spacer. The pulley could not be bolted inside the lower OEM pulley without it, so I made another call to Ms. Lillian and she mailed me a spacer. When the spacer arrived, it was quite obvious that it was not the correct thickness, as the kit pulley mis-aligned with the Sanden pully by approximately 5/8". There was no doubt in my mind that if a belt had been installed on the crank and compressor pulleys, it probably wouldn't have lasted 500 miles. I wound up taking the spacer to my machine shop friend and had him produce an identical spacer but with the correct thickness. In summary, I was extremely disappointed in the kit to say the least.

Because I am preparing to install a Bullet Supercharger, which has it's own 6-rib crank pulley, I will be abandoning the A/C crank pulley altogether. I plan to ship the Sanden 508 compressor back to Sanden and have then change the pulley from a V-belt type to a 6-rib. I will then install an extra idler pulley on the supercharger plate and run the A/C compressor from the supercharger pulley line. For anybody wanting to mount an A/C compressor on a CUCV engine, I suggest producing a custom bracket which would mount on the drivers side alternator and be driven by a 2-groove pulley on that alternator.

Hope this helps.

Its looking more and more like I should attempt to wedge an AC compressor in where the drivers alternator went.

I'm not really sure if I should go with an A6 or R4 compressor. Both seem available and "fit" according to rock auto:

1984 CHEVROLET K30 PICKUP 6.2L 379cid V8 DIESEL A/C Compressor | Shop Now at RockAuto

Heat & Air Conditioning Parts and More for Your 1984 CHEVROLET K30 PICKUP at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

Which ever one, I'll get it and start testing fitting. Really hoping I can reuse the drivers alternator bracket as it is also how the power steering pump bolts up. Definitely don't want to have to make two new mounting systems!

 

[Sharecropper]

Its looking more and more like I should attempt to wedge an AC compressor in where the drivers alternator went.

I'm not really sure if I should go with an A6 or R4 compressor. Both seem available and "fit" according to rock auto:

1984 CHEVROLET K30 PICKUP 6.2L 379cid V8 DIESEL A/C Compressor | Shop Now at RockAuto

Heat & Air Conditioning Parts and More for Your 1984 CHEVROLET K30 PICKUP at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

Which ever one, I'll get it and start testing fitting. Really hoping I can reuse the drivers alternator bracket as it is also how the power steering pump bolts up. Definitely don't want to have to make two new mounting systems!

Sounds like you have it figured out. Remember to post photos and processes to assist other SS members.

 

[chevymike]

The company that produced the A/C brackets for Vintage Air was Component Parts Inc. in Ft. Worth TX. In my dealings with them, I got the impression that they were a small, family owned & operated business with no exit strategy. Herb & Lillian (I forgot their last name) owned the company and I spoke with Lillian on several occasions. Lillian stated that they were old with no kids interested in keeping the company going. So I am not surprised if, in fact, they decided to close-up shop.

That might be the case on the brackets but this kit https://nostalgicac.com/c-k-series-military-m1008-m1009-truck-blazer-a-c-system.html the under dash housing is the part not being made anymore. It's the plastic part that holds all of the under dash parts. That company went out of business.

 

[dezertdemond]

Vintage air will sell you the kit for 79-87 Chevy K5 w/o factory air. You can order it without the compressor brackets or compressor if you don't want it. That's what I did and used the Sanden 508 from them. It's an all under dash unit. Very nice, great instructions, no fitment issues. I'm sitting at the ac shop right now getting it charged!

You can still get the compressor brackets from nostalgic or directly from the place in TX and it will work with the vintage air kit.

 

[Sharecropper]

Vintage air will sell you the kit for 79-87 Chevy K5 w/o factory air. You can order it without the compressor brackets or compressor if you don't want it. That's what I did and used the Sanden 508 from them. It's an all under dash unit. Very nice, great instructions, no fitment issues. I'm sitting at the ac shop right now getting it charged!

You can still get the compressor brackets from nostalgic or directly from the place in TX and it will work with the vintage air kit.

Yes that is what I did also. In my opinion the Vintage Air kit is much nicer and more efficient than the Nostalgic unit. I haven't completed installation yet, so I (and many others) will be eager to see photos of your installation.

Thanks for posting.

 

[chevymike]

I think what I liked about the Nostalgic Air unit was it was it's own self contained A/C only unit and did not mess with the factory heater system. As much as it would suck, I can live without A/C but if the heater doesn't work to defrost the windshield, that becomes a PITA. The Vintage Air is a combo unit so if the controller dies or something, the whole system is dead. I have wondered how well they do bouncing around offroad or miles of washboard.

At this point, it's about the only option.

 

[Sharecropper]

I think what I liked about the Nostalgic Air unit was it was it's own self contained A/C only unit and did not mess with the factory heater system. As much as it would suck, I can live without A/C but if the heater doesn't work to defrost the windshield, that becomes a PITA. The Vintage Air is a combo unit so if the controller dies or something, the whole system is dead. I have wondered how well they do bouncing around offroad or miles of washboard.

At this point, it's about the only option.

My Vintage Air unit ain't gonna die. Hail it probably won't ever be turned on.

 

[andyh1956]

For future reference the M1010 mounts an A6 on the driver's side. A 134a compatible seal kit is about $20.

 

[erasedhammer]

For future reference the M1010 mounts an A6 on the driver's side. A 134a compatible seal kit is about $20.

I'm looking at the parts TM for the M1010 Air conditioning but the page (Figure 251 from TM 9-2320-289-20P) doesnt have a part number listed for the brackets, despite the diagram labeling the bracket as part 11.

I guess they consider these parts "lifetime" and never offer replacements?

Sure would be nice to just grab a mounting bracket set from a m1010 and be done with this

 

[andyh1956]

If I can catch some time this week I'll photo the brackets & post them here, if I'm smart enough to do it...
I got photos of the compressor still installed on the engine if I can remember where they are.... I removed the comp eqpt & sold the engine.
Some yrs ago we pulled a 6.2 from an '82 GMC SWB 1/2 ton truck. I recently gave the block assy & heads & other loose parts away. I never had the ac eqpt but I can ask the boy I got it from if they are still laying around.