A/C Compressors

[78Chev]

Did GM use both A6 and R4 a/c compressors on the 6.2 in body style years 82-87? Thanks.
Randy

[arveetek]

I don't believe they used the R4 radial compressor in those years. The A6 was first, and then they switched to a smaller axial unit, which I can't recall the model of at the moment. My '86 K-10 diesel had the smaller axial on it.

The radials were only used on gas models.

Casey

[78Chev]

Thanks, Casey. Helpful as always.
Randy

[Robyn]

The R4 was used on the newer body style trucks. The 82-91 Burbs and Blazers used the A6 and slightly shorter unit on some of the late ones of those.
The old style trucks with the 6.2 has the V belt drives
The 88 and later pickups used the R4 style compressor.
The R4 is a POS and will not even hold a candle to the A6 Pump.
The A6 has its own lube oil sump and the R4 is lubed by the oil that is mixed with the refrigerant flow.

The slightly shorter axial compressor DA6, HR6, HD6, and HT6 is cast from aluminum with aluminum heads too.

These are problematic at best.
The R4 is fairly weak and the life expectancy is far shorter than the old A6
The A6 is much larger and takes up a lot of space.
The flat profile of the R4 lends itself well to mounting in limited spaces.

The 2 compressors you speak of can both be used if you have the proper brackets.

The DA6 was used from about 86 on as a cost saving measure.

The DA6 and the others in the series can be tweeked enough when mounting that the cylinders can fail due to misalignment.

Hope this helps

Robyn

[78Chev]

Very helpful. Thanks, Robyn.
Randy

[arveetek]

The DA6 was used from about 86 on as a cost saving measure.




DA6, yeah that's the other one I was thinking of! That was the one used on my '86.

I went with the A6 when converting my '81 to the correct diesel-style a/c system. My '81 originally had the R4 with the 305 gasser.

Casey