1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Thought I would post a few pics of a 68 vette compressor I just finished. The foil is from Paragon. The things to check are the pulley size
(5 3/4"), date code on back plate, (this one is A178), Jan 17 1968. Also the completion code on the foil, (this one is 012581) Jan 25 1968 shift 1. The hub has to have 3 spokes and the rubber in good shape, along with the pulley V.
The pics are not the best.

Dom

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Dom,
What did you use to get the date code onto the foil (font, font size, etc.)? How did you center it in the space?
Jeff

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Jeff,
I bought a old IBM Selectric. Just tape the foil to a piece of paper and center the type on the piece of paper the foil is taped to. Then move over to the foil and pray you don't hit the wrong numbers. The ink does not want to stick to the foil so I tried taping off the code box on the foil and giving it a coat of clear. Then the ink will stick better. after it is typed I spray a thin coat of the clear over the numbers to keep the ink on. Lots of work with the clear and taping. As far as the font, I used the font size that was on the typewriter. It looked like some of the old foils I saw on other compressors. Usually when I get the compressors, only the indentations of the numbers are there.

Dom

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Dom,
Thanks for the advise. I have done the same but not the clear. The problem was that as I was laying the label on the compressor, the ink and, to a degree, the impression was lost. I have seen many originals where the letters are still black and clear. I have a rebuilt unit from a '73 and I can just make out the remnants of the date code. I wonder how the factory did this. Any thoughts?
Jeff

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Jeff,
I think it was the ink ribbon on the typewriter. I jumped thru hoops going to trophy shops and so forth to see if I could get something better. When I put the new foil on the compressor I am careful not to push on the code box. I use a rubber roller and push the foil down every place but the sacred code box.

Dom

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Dom, the foil seems very nice from Paragon. Why would they not add the "645" in the lower portion?

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Dom, after looking at your model I went and cleaned the area on my unit. Car is 6/14/68 build. Could my date say 1/1/8. Quite a ways from June. I'll try to get pic in. Not accepting it.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Dom, after looking at your model I went and cleaned the area on my unit. Car is 6/14/68 build. Could my date say 1/1/8. Quite a ways from June. I'll try to get pic in. Not accepting it.

Jeff
Do you really think they were building AC compressors on New Years Day? I sure hope not.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

image.jpgimage.jpg Never thought that terry. LOL. Maybe you can help with this date. On the front of my compressor.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66467[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66467[/ATTACH] Never thought that terry. LOL. Maybe you can help with this date. On the front of my compressor.

I am going to leave that one alone.

I will file it with the stamped assembly date on the original master cylinder for my 1970. That MC has the single number 1 on it and no one has been able to explain that to me either. And FWIW the 1970 was built January 29, 1970 so the master cylinder could have been built January 1, but I doubt it.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Jeff,
I think the 645 may be for a different year. I do have some foil with 645 on it and I will take a look in a few hrs.

Dom

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

Jeff,
The first figure is always a letter and that can be (I), the second might be 7. That would make it Sept 7 1968.

Dom

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

sure looks like 1s

Dom

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

My foil says May 23, 1968. That works with a June build. Date on compressor. Body is confusing. If you look close they sure look like 1's. The third digit is hard to tell.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 AC Compressor - Correct Part Number ??

I'm getting creative here. Up close looks like. 1 1 E with an 8 on the rivet head. May 11 1968. Now that would fit in the June build.