Engine A/C compressor model number needed

[bkahler]

The 74 Argosy MH (454 powered) that I'm trying to get back on the road came to me without an engine and it's major associated components like alternator, power steering and A/C. Over the last few years I've been scavaging parts as I find them. So far I've managed to come up with the proper brackets for the alternator and power steering pump and the proper brackets for a Sanden A/C compressor.

It's been an interesting project trying to determine what bits and pieces I need. It seems like every picture I look at that shows the engine compartment of an Argosy or Classic motorhome has provided me with a little bit more information.

Dismantling that 345 provided me with a ton of good parts but the compressor has no markings or ID on it anywhere that I can find.

What I need to know is which Sanden A/C compressor model is/was used on the mid 80s motorhomes. I will be using R134a if that helps.

Thanks!

Brad

[Smartstream]

This is what is in mine.

It is a Delco J 639 used on many GM cars and trucks. I found a Harrison tag on the evaporator housing. I believe it is a rear A/C from a Suburban.



Cheers, Dan

[bkahler]

Thanks Dan,

Do you know if GM ever shipped the P30 chassis with a Sanden compressor?

The 1986 345 I dismantled had a Sanden in it but I can't find any numbers. Of course those numbers may not help if it was an R-12 system.

Thanks!

Brad

[Smartstream]

Everybody seems to recommend changing to the more modern Sanden or Sanko compressors. Bottom line is they all take refrigerant from a low pressure and change it to a higher pressure. There may be some small percentage improvement in efficiency but in the grand scheme of things trying to cool a large aluminum box with this little unit, it really doesn't make much difference. And yes I run 134a in my system.

Back in the early 90's I worked for the City of Los Angeles and we changed the entire city fleet to 134a. We installed the adapter charging ports, evacuated the system, added 1 1/2 oz. of ester based oil, and charged with 134a. GM, Ford, and Chrysler all said we couldn't do it but we did over 10,000 vehicles and had no problems.

Bottom line, hang whatever pump fits your brackets, put in some refrigerant and make some cold.

Cheers, Dan

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Everybody seems to recommend changing to the more modern Sanden or Sanko compressors. Bottom line is they all take refrigerant from a low pressure and change it to a higher pressure. There may be some small percentage improvement in efficiency but in the grand scheme of things trying to cool a large aluminum box with this little unit, it really doesn't make much difference. And yes I run 134a in my system.

Back in the early 90's I worked for the City of Los Angeles and we changed the entire city fleet to 134a. We installed the adapter charging ports, evacuated the system, added 1 1/2 oz. of ester based oil, and charged with 134a. GM, Ford, and Chrysler all said we couldn't do it but we did over 10,000 vehicles and had no problems.

Bottom line, hang whatever pump fits your brackets, put in some refrigerant and make some cold.

Cheers, Dan

Now THAT is the kind of advice I like! I actually have 2 Sanden compressors that were mounted on different motorhomes. Unfortunately both of them have been sitting with open hoses for a number of years. I don't know how that affects the pumps or even which type of refrigerant they were designed for which is why I'm trying to figure out what to use.

What are the odds of either of these pumps being any good?

10,000 vehicles, I'd go nuts before the job was done

Brad

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Now THAT is the kind of advice I like! I actually have 2 Sanden compressors that were mounted on different motorhomes. Unfortunately both of them have been sitting with open hoses for a number of years. I don't know how that affects the pumps or even which type of refrigerant they were designed for which is why I'm trying to figure out what to use.

What are the odds of either of these pumps being any good?

10,000 vehicles, I'd go nuts before the job was done

Brad

If they have been stored uncapped the valves have probably corroded and are junk. They can be rebuilt if you have a good clean room but probably not worth it. Find a wreck with a sealed system that still holds refrigerant or buy a new one. You can clean and flush condensers and evaporators and such but not the moving stuff in the compressors.

The city had lots of vehicles but they also had lots of mechanics.

Cheers, Dan

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by bkahler

10,000 vehicles, I'd go nuts before the job was done

Now everyone knows why Dan took an early retirement!

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

Now everyone knows why Dan took an early retirement!

The reason I retired early is they were crazy enough to make me an offer and I accepted so fast they didn't have have a chance to realize what they had done. There is a lot to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

Cheers, Dan

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

There is a lot to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

Got that right. When I sold my business seven years ago, I had no idea the economy was going to tank. Everyone thought I was some kind of Warren Buffett, NOT!

[Keyair]

RockAuto lists a bunch of them for the 1986 P30...
Common one is Sanden 7402.
They also list a HD model called the Sanden U1925..

Check, but it is my understanding that all new or remaunfactured compressors are R12 or R134 compatable... and use an Ester oil in the system as it is known that PAG oils cause failures.
Either way you will have to work thru the system, replacing the orifice tube, and receiver/drier, as well as every O ring. Use HNBR O rings.
Buy a kit like this for about $20.


I just did this on my Mercedes... which I left R12, and was blowing 35degF out of the vents at 2000rpm, on an 85degF day..


If you are going R134a, I would put a modern plate style condensor on... they are much more efficient, and you can get a great universal 30 x 18 for under $100 delivered off Ebay, that will just need some small tubing work.

Oh, FYI Brad, this is what the compressor looks like on my 84..
The quick release fitting tell me it was converted... but the system is empty, and the clutch engagement wire is cut... so I will be doing a ground up revamp too.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

If they have been stored uncapped the valves have probably corroded and are junk. They can be rebuilt if you have a good clean room but probably not worth it. Find a wreck with a sealed system that still holds refrigerant or buy a new one. You can clean and flush condensers and evaporators and such but not the moving stuff in the compressors.

The city had lots of vehicles but they also had lots of mechanics.

Cheers, Dan

Yep, stored upcapped. I'd just as soon start with a new one (or factory rebuilt) than messing with it myself. I'll rebuild something myself if it makes sense to, in this case it definitely doesn't!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Keyair

RockAuto lists a bunch of them for the 1986 P30...
Common one is Sanden 7402.
They also list a HD model called the Sanden U1925..

Check, but it is my understanding that all new or remaunfactured compressors are R12 or R134 compatable... and use an Ester oil in the system as it is known that PAG oils cause failures.
Either way you will have to work thru the system, replacing the orifice tube, and receiver/drier, as well as every O ring. Use HNBR O rings.
Buy a kit like this for about $20.

Steve, thanks for the part numbers. I'm definitely going with R134a. The only thing remaining of the original system is the evaporator. Everything else is gone so I'm pretty much starting from scratch anyway.

Once I get the motor installed I'll be piecing the A/C system back together.

One step at a time...first I've got to get the engine installed and running

Brad

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by bkahler

I'd just as soon start with a new one (or factory rebuilt)

There is no factory rebuilt, it is all farmed out to someone else, and they are all not worth the time to throw them in the trash. Get new. As much of a PITA changing compressors is, you don't want to do it more than you have to.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by overlander63

There is no factory rebuilt, it is all farmed out to someone else, and they are all not worth the time to throw them in the trash. Get new. As much of a PITA changing compressors is, you don't want to do it more than you have to.

I only want to do this job once, so new it is

[Gypsy Jo]

The ac compressor out of my Argosy is a Delco model number 5910723 it uses r12 . I don't know if that will help.
Jo

[gunner]

Does anyone have an extra compressor engine mounting bracket? The one on my motorhome has a broken tab at one of the hole locations for fastening it to the engine. It is still secured but would be better with all tabs fastened securely to the engine.

[bkahler]

Gunner, PM sent.