1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

[Brian F.]

I currently have a 1978 Corvette with original A/C compressor (R-12 system) that I would like to recharge. The local A/C repair shop says I have a leak from the compressor and should either get it rebuilt or replaced before I have the system recharged. He also suggested replacing the receiver/dryer.

Since I would like to keep things original, does anyone know any outfits who will rebuild your A/C compressor? Or, should I just purchase a rebuilt one? They run about $215-$285 on the internet. Will the rebuilt compressors still run on R-12 or are they already converted to the R-134 system?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

BRAIN KEEP THE OLD COMPRESSOR, KEEP CAR ORIG. IS THE ONLY WAY, GAS SEALS ON THE COMPRESSOR IS A COMMON LEAK AREA , IT MAY HOW EVER BE A PROBLEM FINDING THE LOCAL SHOP WITH THIS TOOL TO INSTALL SEAL , THERE ARE ALOT OF CORVETTE RESTO MAGAZINES THAT OFFER A SERVICE FOR REBUILDING MANY PARTS (paragon is one co.)

[Chuck L.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Brian,
Just for a reference, I had Paragon do a rebuild on my '82 Collector Edition in 2001 and they did a great job. I sold it 2 years later but it still worked. Can't find the paperwork as it went with the car, but I know it was pricey at the time. Just FYI

Chuck

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Brian;

I think Chuck is probably right on this. You will have to have it done right and pay the price if you want to maintain the value of this car. The car, otherwise, is the best P.C. we've seen and is worth doing right.

Hope you have a good charter flight tonight. Did they win? Florida Atlantic looked tough and won the conference last year.

Stu Fox

[Tom R.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Brian

I've got similar problems on my 78 and have chased this before without luck. The label can be preserved so I've played with the idea of retrieving it and than having the unit rebuilt or as suggested get a replacement and use the label on it.

[Greg A.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Looks like there was never an adequate response to this message. I had the original compressor in my '78 rebuilt around 2001 by Old Air Products in Dallas/FW (www.oldairproducts.com). They did a nice job and the A/C still works well on R-12. If you want more specifics, e-mail me and I'll dig up the invoice.

Greg.

[James W.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Old Air Products also did the compressor on my 71. They hand-washed the unit so they did not damage the original label. They also rebuilt the hoses, including the square manifold that bolts to the compressor. Great guys to work with and are a bunch of gear heads that love old cars.

Jim

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Thanks for the input fellows. Believe Brian is flying on a 3 or 4 day pairing today. I did send him an E-Mail and a phone message to alert him to check in on the TDB, as I know he is still in a quandary about what to do with his A/C, and will appreciate the information.

Stu Fox (Brian's Dad)

[Brian F.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Thank you guys for all the feedback. I'll give Old Air Products a try. In doing some research, you can still obtain the correct compressor decal from several outfits. Here's a link to one:

http://www.blaap.com/catalogue/newma...etteengine.htm#

[Joe L.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Thank you guys for all the feedback. I'll give Old Air Products a try. In doing some research, you can still obtain the correct compressor decal from several outfits. Here's a link to one:

http://www.blaap.com/catalogue/newma...etteengine.htm#

Brian-----


Having your original rebuilt by a QUALITY rebuilder like Old Air Products is a good way to go for both originality and functionality.

However, I've usually found that the best functionality occurs with the use of NEW parts. Fortunately, you can still obtain a NEW compressor for your application. It's Delco #15-20206 and sells for about 250 bucks through discount Delco sources. This is a NEW unit that's manufactured by DELPHI, the successor to the GM parts manufacturing entity that manufactured the original.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Thank you guys for all the feedback. I'll give Old Air Products a try. In doing some research, you can still obtain the correct compressor decal from several outfits. Here's a link to one:

http://www.blaap.com/catalogue/newma...etteengine.htm#

I think you will have to define the word "correct." I have yet to see a reproduction air conditioning compressor label that is not easily identified as such. It is not quite a Ray Charles judgement, but it is close. Now perhaps the folks you cite have a label I have not yet had a chance to see. One always hopes that someone will make something more "correct."

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

Terry;

Perhaps Brian would have been better served if he too had used Quote marks around the word "Correct" as I am sure that he was in fact quoting the vendor, and we all know that anything vendors will put in print to promote their products should be taken at face value until they have been judged worthy.

But Brian, just like the great Ray Charles, has his ontourage of great friends (in the NCRS) and family (his Father) to help guide him through the dark jungle of restoration parts.

Thank you for making that point to him. I'm sure he will appreciate it as well.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

I agree Stu. I can't tell you how many times I have crossed that bridge.

Last words a judge wants to hear (well almost the last): "But the vendor told me it was correct."

[Oliver B.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

I just ordered a decal for my 77's replacement AC compressor using Brian's link above. (Did not know of that company - saved the link right away - so thanks a lot for publishing it!)

I am looking forward to getting it, see the quality (high hopes!), compare it with my original one's (tucked away till servicable - sending it from Germany to the US would be quite an effort) - at least (if only minor differences) it cannot get worse than having no decal at all as now...

[Steven B.]

Re: 1978 Corvette A/C compressor leak

I agree Stu. I can't tell you how many times I have crossed that bridge.

Last words a judge wants to hear (well almost the last): "But the vendor told me it was correct."

'Right up there with "the guy I bought it from said that IS how it came from the factory".