New A/C Compressor & System - Replacing all parts as PO removed A/C system

[sbailey05]

Hello,
I have a 1979 Chevy C10 that originally came with the 5.7L 350 but the PO replaced the engine with an 87-88 5.0 305 Engine and converted it to carb. The original vehicle came with factory A/C but the PO ripped almost all of the old A/C system out so I'm going to be replacing it all from scratch. The drier that is still there says it's 134a but since thats the only thing left from factory a/c, it doesn't matter as it will be replaced if I chose to go R-12. However, I'm thinking staying 134a due to it's convenience/availability. My pulley system is the V belt system. No A/C mounts currently so I'll need to buy those also. I hope to soon purchase a new 5.7L 350 crate engine from Summit or somewhere similiar. Now after my life story...

Does anyone recommend a compressor & part no.? It's a bit overwhelming looking at the 20 different compressors on the parts sites. 

Thank you very much!

[hatzie]

If you can find the Harrison Frigidaire A6 compressor installed on a truck or car with the Corporate GM smallblock then by all means get those brackets and re-install the original system.  GM used the A6 compressor on cars and trucks for years.  You can use the A6 compressor from a BOPC engine as a core but the brackets need to come off a smallblock.
The A6 is not fuel efficient and it's very heavy.  However it's an excellent AC compressor with very high displacement and will work very well with R134a.  IMHO The HR6 etc from the GM serpentine belt setups and the Sanden aftermarket compressors will actually be a downgrade in AC performance from the A6.
The TXV (Throttling Expansion Valve) and CCOT (Clutch Cycling Orifice Tube) systems used the same A6 compressor so getting Pre 1978 A6 compressor engine mounting parts and condenser will not hurt you as long as you buy new 1979 hoses and keep your evaporator...  You'll need new hoses anyway unless you luck into a full set of used 1978-1980 R134a barrier hoses.

Don't get a mid 80's Harrison R4 pancake compressor setup like you see on the F-bodies and 86 up trucks it's much lower displacement than the 1970's Harrison A6 or the HR6 so it's only suitable for R12 or R290 blends like Envirosafe.  It'll work with R134a but it will not cool as fast or as well as the bigger units.  Like comparing a 454 to a 305.  Both of them move the truck but the 454 has more grunt.

Electrical is very easy even if the PO hacked up the HVAC sub-harness.  It's a separate sub harness so it can be replaced without cutting open the cab wiring bundles.

[hatzie]

Here's some good information.
http://www.e38.org/pparish/gen-rp.htm