Herkman
Member
I now have factory AC but would like to upgrade to a Sanden. Can anyone who has done this tell me which compressor and especially which brackets to use? The wrong info was given to me at a car show by Vintage Air. Thanks
Compressor upgrade
- Thread starter Herkman
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it looks like this is the bracket kit you need:
www.bouchillonperformance.com
and i think this is the compressor they spec for it
www.bouchillonperformance.com
BPE A/C Compressor Mounting Bracket Kit Small Block W/P.S - Bouchillon Performance Engineering
Bouchillon Performance Engineering - Specializing in Mopar geniune and custom engineered parts and accessories located in the low country of South Carolina.
and i think this is the compressor they spec for it
BPE Sanden CP7H13 Style Compressor - Bouchillon Performance Engineering
Bouchillon Performance Engineering - Specializing in Mopar geniune and custom engineered parts and accessories located in the low country of South Carolina.
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
Sounds like he will have to source the non-ac pulleys and alternator bracket to use that compressor mount. Maybe not- it has a two groove pulley on the compressor, so may be able to get things lined up anyway.
OP- what year brackets and pulleys do you have? They changed over the years; ie single belt or double belt compressor drive, location of the PS pump due to original inclusion of or lack of an air pump, etc.
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
I'm want to do the same with a 360 magnum with an LA timing cover and water pump, v belt setup BUT I want to use the factory style aluminum compressor soni can use factory AC hoses instead of custom making them what was that.. c171 or something like it the factory used? Is this really the same thing as a sanden compressor (or some such version/ model of a sanden compressor)
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
Similar to a Sanden inasmuch as it's a rotary compressor as opposed to the earlier reciprocating compressors, but the mounting points are different between the typical Sanden and the C171.
You still will need custom hoses, as they changed fitting styles- flare vs O-ring and a weird flat-plate compressor manifolding.
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Be careful what you call an "upgrade". The RV-2 Chrysler compressor is a tough piece to improve upon, especially if it is rebuilt by someone who knows what they are doing with a quality kit. There are still 60 and 70 year old original compressors in operation today. The Sanden is certainly lighter, but that's about where I'd stop. No way does a Sanden have lasting legs like a Chrysler compressor.
I can't speak for the OP but I have a still working RV2 on one of my cars.... But the one this engine is for, would have originally come with a C171... And the (new) replacement hoses I have and would like to use are factory replacement for a truck that came with factory ac....and yeah I believe the newer yet ones actually did use a version of the sanden unit, I have 2 Durango's/ one I have had to replace the compressor twice, the other one I will be replacing this spring (noisy, I have the replacement) for the first time... But it has half of the miles the other one I've replaced twice has on it...
I swapped my ‘73 Swinger to the 171. Robbed all the brackets and lines from a ‘78 Diplomat. I got creative and merged the two sets of lines. Not knocking my RV2 but I shaved a ton of weight and it’s much smoother operating. It will flat freeze you out of the car even at over 100 heat index.
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Herkman
Member
It's a 340 in a 71 Duster
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
Does your blog name of Herkman by any chance mean that you have some flying time in the C-130 Hercules?. I have 9600 hours, mostly all in the C-130.
Herkman
Member
I just don't want my massive original compressor on my nice clean engine, even reconditioned. I will keep it though
I can completely understand. They are rather huge.
DO NOT assume that the bracket kit from Bouchillon will work without considerable work on your part. DO NOT assume that one belt is sufficient to provide squeal free operation (there's a reason the compressor has a double belt pulley on it!). I got their compressor set up with my Classic Auto Air AC heater system. The double pulley on the compressor, alternator and crank did not align causing me a bunch of work and parts hunting to move the alternator, power steering pump and brackets and replace the crank and fan pulleys to align the AC/alt/crank belts (both of them) and then move the PS system because the relocated double belt interfered with the PS/Fan/ crank belt. What a pain! and both Classic Auto Air and Bouchillon refused to admit their responsibility.
I have read (could have been in another post on here in another thread, it's been a while) that as rugged and durable the old RV2 was, the C171, sanden, etc only eats like 5hp while the RV2 cost 25hp penalty of engine output.
The only problem I see is that with the intake i have, with factory brackets anyway the compressor will be right on top of the T stat.
I remember when we did the engine in my son's ramcharger he originally put an offy intake on it (360 LA) and we had to change it out for that reason.
The only problem I see is that with the intake i have, with factory brackets anyway the compressor will be right on top of the T stat.
I remember when we did the engine in my son's ramcharger he originally put an offy intake on it (360 LA) and we had to change it out for that reason.
I can tell a huge difference in the amount of effort between the RV2 and C171. It was free horsepower anytime the AC is on which is most of the time in my car. As for the mounting, using the factory C171 brackets, mine clears everything on the Edelbrock intake on my car. In fact, it even puts the compressor in the same little cut out on the breather base that the RV2 sat in.
It’s an Edelbrock Performer 318/360 and as you can see in the pic, the thermostat is offset to the left.
BPE stuff fits like a glove. You will NOT be disappointed with their parts.
Herkman
Member
Yes, I logged over 3,000 hours as airborne support on flying status in active duty (crew chief), the spent another 31 years as an Air Reserve Technician
Herkman
Member
It's an air gap and the picture is in my original post
Herkman
Member
Air gap and centered
Herkman
Member
1971, 2 grooves on alternator and everything else is pictured in my original post
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
Hey, @Herkman, I just thought of something. About 20 years ago, I put a Classic Auto Air AC system in my 69 340 Barracuda. The kit came with a Sanden compressor and all the mounting brackets I would need. The brackets were well made and fit fine. You might try calling them. They might sell you the same compressor bracket kit that comes in their AC system kit.
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