THE

BASICS
Air Conditioning Theory
where the OEM engine drive is being retained. It
is an axial type compressor with just under ten
cubic inches of displacement. Custom mounting
for this compressor is more difficult on nonOEM applications and new replacement parts
costs are high.
Variable Displacement Compressors
These types of compressors are not recommended for A/C systems that use a receiver/drier and a thermal expansion valve (TXV).
Variable compressors increase and decrease
piston stroke (and consequently, refrigeration
flow) based on A/C system demand to modulate the performance of the evaporator. That
makes the compressor the primary control
point in a variable displacement air conditioning system.
In a cycling-clutch, expansion valve system,
the thermal expansion valve increases and
decreases refrigerant flow based on A/A system demand to modulate the performance of
the evaporator, making the TXV the primary
control point for the system. All A/C systems
require a primary control point. And if using a
secondary control, it must be subservient to
the primary control.
Using a variable displacement compressor
in a clutch-cycling thermal expansion valve system results in two primary control points, and
is like a business with two presidents: it is
doomed to failure. The variable compressor
and the expansion valves control activities contradict and chase each other, resulting in a
system that never works optimally. Plus, this
combination may lead to oil starvation and
compressor failure.
There are some OEM systems which use a
combination of modulation devices, however they
are the result of long-term development programs and, as they say, dont try this at home!
Other Compressor Types:
Ford Nippondenso
The Ford Nippondenso compressor is an
axial compressor with about 9.5 cubic inches
of displacement. Its fine on applications where
the OEM engine drive is retained on your
engine swap. But mounting is more difficult on
non-OEM applications, and new replacement
parts costs are high. We dont recommend
rebuilt compressors of this model.

Compressor Capacity Is Critical

Capacity is critical in selecting a compressor. Why? The weak link in most aftermarket
air conditioning systems is the condenser's
ability to handle the demands of the other air
conditioning system components. These
demands are to condense the refrigerant
enough to keep the compressor head pressure
and corresponding refrigerant temperature
within acceptable operating limits (approx.
twice the ambient temperature of the day, plus
fifteen percent) and to supply the evaporator
with adequate refrigerant. Generally speaking,
if a compressor has too much capacity, the
result will be excessive high-side pressure and
temperature, compressor damage and excessive load on the engine. If a compressor has
too little capacity, the system will suffer inadequate evaporator performance. Our basic minimum given in the condenser part of this article is larger than most aftermarket systems
are using: However, we will use that as our
standard size condenser. A compressor of 8
or 8.5 cubic inches of displacement per revolution is ideal for a classic car or truck with
our standard size condenser and an average
size aftermarket evaporator (approx. 200
cubic inches of coil mass). We would always
lean toward a smaller compressor before
going to a larger one.
Cheap Insurance: Safety Switches
We should stop here and mention system
protection switches. A high pressure safety
switch disengages the compressor clutch on
the compressor if internal pressure exceeds
safe limits (406 psi) and
Trinary
then re-engages the
Safety
Switch
compressor clutch
when the pressure is
back down within
acceptable limits. A low
pressure switch disengages the compressor clutch if there is excessive refrigerant loss (below 30 PSI). A Binary
Switch incorporates both of these protections
into one switch. A Trinary Switch incorporates both high and low pressure cutoffs, plus
adds an electric fan engagement signal (at
254 PSI) feature to help bring internal temperatures down. These switches are great insurance
on any system, and should ALWAYS be incorporated. See Page 79 for safety switches.

Compressor Mounting
As we mentioned earlier, the way the compressor fits into your available space and how
it mounts to your engine is a serious consideration. Today most aftermarket compressor
brackets are designed to mount Sanden type
compressors and to fit within the limited
engine compartments of classic vehicles. The
Vintage Air
ProLine
Bracket Kit

axial compressors are easiest to mount,

because of their alternator style mounting.
Adapters are available to retrofit the Sanden
onto older York type compressor brackets.
See Page 68.
Because the compact Sanden compressors
operate so smoothly, they require fewer
mounting brackets as well. Generally, engineering a bracket for air conditioning compressors follows the same principles as any other
bracket design and fabrication: the simpler the
better. There are a few things, however, that
Vintage Air
Front Runner
Bracket Kit

are common with all engine brackets. First,

you must have a way to adjust the tension of

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Our Executive Vice President, Rick Love, has an extensive

engineering background and is involved with every area of operations and marketing. Rick finished building a 32 coupe and
drives his new 72 Camaro to work regularly. He recently fulfilled
a lifelong dream by making his Bonneville licensing run at 184
MPH in George Poteets 32 Roadster.