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Are A/C compressors date coded and would you use an original compressor?

Scott Kiger

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I have a 68 road runner four speed post with factory A/C. I don’t have the compressor. Everything on this car is correct date code wise. Every number matches. But I don’t have the compressor. Just trying to figure out which route to go. I aim to drive it but if everything else is right shouldn’t this be too?
 
They are pretty robust, especially compared to some other manufacturers compressors. Every "C" body had AC... shouldn't be too tough to find.
 
I have a 68 road runner four speed post with factory A/C. I don’t have the compressor. Everything on this car is correct date code wise. Every number matches. But I don’t have the compressor. Just trying to figure out which route to go. I aim to drive it but if everything else is right shouldn’t this be too?


They can be rebuilt. I had mine done.
 
I would get a stock compressor if i was in your situation. I would not go aftermarket.
 
I would get a stock compressor if i was in your situation. I would not go aftermarket.

Thats the plan but just need to know if they are date coded or not. If not I have the whole setup sourced. Down to bracket and pulley off of a 67 383 engine. I just need to know if they are date coded or not.
 
"Every" C body did NOT have AC. A 68 C body parts car is probably a good source, though.

...but lots of people remove the AC because they simply don't want it.

If they save and try to sell them, OTOH.....

Bet not too many 68 4 speed RR's had AC.

Not too many 68 RR's had AC in general.
 
"Every" C body did NOT have AC. A 68 C body parts car is probably a good source, though.

...but lots of people remove the AC because they simply don't want it.

If they save and try to sell them, OTOH.....

Bet not too many 68 4 speed RR's had AC.

Not too many 68 RR's had AC in general.

1159!1968 road runners were ordered with A/C according to Dave Wise. Of those he figured the vast majority were hardtop automatics with the decor package. Mine is a post car with no decor group and no power steering or power brakes. The funny part is the car was sold new in North Dakota. The guy who bought it was from Virginia though and was stationed there at the time in the Air Force
 
That tag is all I’ve noticed on mine. The tag is at least Year dated from memory. The charge/ pressure port orientation changed somewhat year to year but that is probably easily changed. You can see the tag on mine in this photo - Its faded but I think it’s a 1969 compressor and the front port orientation is a little different from a correct 67.
B95D84A6-534E-4494-9C38-0A37D1803D80.jpeg
 
When I was younger, I never thought real muscle cars had AC or automatic trans. As I’ve gotten older, I wouldn’t mind putting AC in the ‘68 GTX I’m building. But I’ll go with a new more compact and efficient unit. I think I have at least 3 of those big V-Twin compressors around. They weigh a ton.
 
I have a compressor from a 67 Satellite, that we could talk about. I plan on going aftermarket. PM me
 
Well I was wrong - again. At least on my compressor which is apparently a late 69 compressor (70 model year), the date is cast in on the compressor head just below the tag. Not sure how many years that is typical of.
8C76ECA3-FBEF-4671-8709-283A4D330561.jpeg


These old compressors keep going. About 2005 I had a new seal put in this one, installed all new green o-rings in all connections, installed a new dryer, purged the system of the R134 the prior owner put in it and refilled it with R12. I haven’t touched it since and it still blows cold.
 
I just ckd mine and I see no date code of any kind stamped or cast into it anywhere .
Not sure if its the original or not

It does have a tag on the head bolts that has some wording and part number . But said number doesnt show up in my 67 parts book

20220414_202446.jpg
 
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