Suggestions for A/C Compressor Rebuild Services (1959)

[ericdev]

Yesterday I had the a/c system recharged in my '59 CdV. It sort of worked but the compressor sounded like a kid's bike with a couple of baseball cards stuck in the spokes. The system hadn't been working in God knows how long. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a good rebuilder for compressors of this vintage and also, any other items that should be tended at the same time, ie receiver/dryer & such?

Also, the blower fan switch only works on maximum setting for a short while after which the fan slows and the switch must be set to the next lower speed for blower operation. Any suggestions for this as well? 

[Jeff Wilk]

Eric, i am there as well and have sone much research with helpbid several members here and several vendors.  Bottom line is that id your compressor is original it is an A5 model and the majority of these are known as sealed units and are not really rebuildable internally.  Even Classic Auto Air and Old Air Produxts will tell you that when asked.  They will refurbish and restore the appearence and serviceable parts but if the pistons and such are shot it wont really help. 

GM switched over to a far superior A6 model somewhere in 60/61 and these are fully serviceable with parts today.  I just opted to get a conversion set up to replace my A5 with a rebuilt A5.  Only didference is one small additional bracket that is not noticeable when installed.  I also opted to stay with the R12. 

Since our fenders are off we also chose to have the evaporator cleaned and tested, etc. i also got a valve by pass rebuild kit and a new dryer.  With thise units replaced and or rebuilt it should blow ixe cubes when we get it back together. 

Jeff and Noah

[curly]

An A=6 will work just fine.
When I got my 59 Fleetwood in '87, it was missing the compressor and the hot gas valve.  Since this was pre=internet, I had no luck finding a replacement hot gas valve, and was told the A-5 was not rebuildable.
On the advice of a local Auto A/C shop, I converted my system to more modern cycling clutch system. I added an electric T=stat to the evaporator core and wired it into the clutch circuit. I had a welding shop Tig weld the hot gas lines shut.

I purchased a converted A-6 compressor from Vintage air (or maybe it was Old Air??). It had been modified to use the A-5 brackets. My brackets were missing, so I cobbled up something to work.
The system works fine.  The only drawback is I am unable to adjust the evaporator temperature other than changing blower speed.  In Yuma, Az, it wasn't a problem.

T Lewis

[ericdev]

Thanks for the suggestions gentlemen.

Having working air is more important to me than having the correct style compressor underhood. On a '60 I previously owned had the newer "missle" style compressor which I had assumed was incorrect but this explains that. Sounds like I'll be calling Old Air.

For part two: Any suggestions for the blower speed switch which is shutting down on max setting?

[curly]

I have a some ideas of what could be wrong with the blower.
1) Worn blower motor-- on high = max amp draw. This is over heating the switch contacts
2) Loose or corroded ground wire.  Again, max amp draw overheating a poor connection.
3) Poor connection on the power side, same reason as above.
4) Bad switch

You can check for a bad ground by placing a DVOM on DC volts (.2v or 2v setting), put one connector on the ground wire for the fan, and the other on battery ground.  Expect to see .2 or less on a good connection. (Fan running during test)
You should also check battery voltage at the fan connector with the fan running.  It should be within .2 of battery/system voltage.

If the switch is the problem, you can use a relay to run the fan on high.  Wire the relay coil side to the high speed wire, then run a fused (+) lead through the lead to power the fan when the relay is triggered. This takes the high amp load off the switch and transfers it to the relay. Lower fan speeds will still run through the resistor. 

T Lewis

[ericdev]

Thanks kindly for the suggestions.

I've ordered an A6 & receiver/dryer from Old Air so far. They also recommend the system be thoroughly flushed first.