C-3 A/C part swap

[Tom Sarno]

I just combined two '72 elCamino's to build a shop truck and now I have a complete A/C unit from that car. I have my '74 Corvette totally apart and going back together slowly with it only being a rolling chassis now. It originally had A/C but most of it was removed by the previous owner. Are there any parts from the elCamino that I should save for the Corvette? I know that the Elky is a long water pump and the Vette is a short. Since the body is in storage and the motor is not on the frame, its hard to match things up.

Any help would be appreciated.

Tom S

[Edward M.]

Re: C-3 A/C part swap

If I am not mistaken (and there isn't much chance that I am not mistaken) the 72 Corvette A/C system used a POA valve, and the 74 El Camino system used a VIR (Valve In Receiver) system. I can't even begin to explain the difference.

[Tom Sarno]

Re: C-3 A/C part swap

The parts I have are the other way. The Corvette is a 74 and the Elcamino is a 72.

[Terry M.]

Re: C-3 A/C part swap

Most, if not all, of the parts still will not interchange. The 1974 (whichever car it is) has a VIR (Valve in Receiver) system and the 1972 will be a POA (Pilot Operated Absolute) system. The compressor MAY be interchangeable, as MAY some of the compressor mounting brackets, but I am not absolutely sure of that. I believe the capacity of the ELKE compressor may be larger than that used on the Corvette, but unless the outside dimensions are different that will not matter. I have never had the opportunity to compare the outside dimensions of the different capacity A6 compressors, so I don't know that answer either.
I once had the honor of judging a 1969 which had a VIR system forced into it. Even though the VIR system appeared to be from a Corvette it did not fit well.

[Tom Sarno]

Re: C-3 A/C part swap

Thanks for the info. I did not want to sell off the elky parts cheap only to find I was buying back the same parts at a premium. (the story of my life).

Thanks again
Tom S