Hey guys, I do a lot of highway miles and I'm currently restoring my original air set up and I want to get a compressor that can take the florida heat and highway speeds. So im just looking to hear what you guys run. Im thinking about the Pro6ten compressor from old air products. I would like to spend less, but I guess you have to pay for quality. I dont want to have to deal with the original compressor rebuild and oil slinging and it came to my attention that the original compressors shut off at high highway speeds. So let me know what you guys are running! Thanks- Chris
I have a pro6ten running r12 in my white car. Absolutely love it! Blows 40° going down the road! Taulb recently went through his ac and replaced his failed a6 with a pro6ten. I helped charge it, but he did all the detail/grunt work and knows all the ins and outs of the swap (I just weighed the tank and drank his beer...haha), hopefully he'll chime in.
Ah yes my newest favorite subject! Wait for a 20% off eBay deal and get one from Old Airs ebay store. Get it from the same place for less and much better on the wallet. Hardest part was disassembly, cleaning, flushing, and resealing the other components. I’d much rather have everything apart only once... Always replace the dryer however wait till just before you are ready to charge so you don’t contaminate the desiccant much. The dryer I bought actually came pressurized to avoid such a thing. Also Old Airs tech support was first class when I called. Pro6ten is amazing.. and if you prepare correctly it really is a pleasant experience (especially with beer!) I kept R12 since I had some available and the system was designed for that refrigerant. If you decide to switch to R134 it’s going to be a different but not impossible task. Does your system currrently work? Would hate to have to chase problems if something doesn’t and you have already gone through the process of vacuuming & charging. And as far as paying less.. it’s hard to beat a product that isn’t that expensive to start with and is known to work.
My car was a factory air car but when i got it every a/c part was gone, so someone near me switched to an aftermarket a/c setup and i took his entire a/c system. So there's certain things im keeping like the brackets, a/c controls, duct work, evaporator case, etc, but for the big things im replacing, so im replacing heater core(already done and installed), evaporator, old air's POA Valve upgrade they offer, the pro6ten compressor, a universal parallel flow condenser, expansion valve, drier, and even though the original hoses still look nice ill most likely replace those. I will be running R134. I want a brand new, no problem after install air conditioning.
Sounds like you are well on your way! A universal parallel condenser is on my list if mine ever takes a dump. Looking forward to seeing your results.
Yeah im excited for it, the summer heat is unbearable, but im waiting till i rebuild my newly aquired 455 and drop that in before the a/c system goes in.
I'm at that point now. Guess they don't make a Buick parallel flow condenser. Seen it for the Chevelle, but their compressor is on the other side of the engine bay? So it would be different? I have a parallel flow evaporator already.
Yeah I'm getting a UAC universal parallel flow condenser. They're affordable and heard they are reliable.
Have to measure my original and compare. https://www.uacparts.com/legacy/Search/CN/CN_PF.html These are cheaper still, https://coldhose.com/parallel-flow-condensers.html https://picclick.com/Universal-Air-Conditioner-UAC-CN-20015XC-Parallel-Flow-351947756472.html
When looking, I gave up on comparing Chevelle/Oldsmobile to Buick and measured for a condenser that was similar to our dimensions that fit in front of the radiator and the confines of the core support. At this point I made up my mind that a few custom hoses and mounting brackets would be needed. Coldhose has some decent looking condensers that I am willing to try but luckily my factory one is keeping up so far in staying with R12.
Yeah, I'm not quite at that point. Gonna pull the fender next week and install my evaporator box. I will end up with one of those Pro6ten compressors and the simplest lines I can use.
Some experience may be different, but I just went and checked right quick and mine was around 15"H 31"W subtracting for brackets. Room to spare though for a universal. Pro6ten is a great piece of hardware . I had a few concerns on making new hoses.. Very curious to see what you end up with.
Let me know if there are any tricks or tips for taking the fender off when you do it, im about to install my evaporator box.
Christopher - don't know if you've got helpers and can easily align the fender and hood when done, but an alternative is to remove inner fender only: see here: http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/removing-front-inner-fender-wheel-well.335295/
