Differences in 71 and 72 Cutlass A/C

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old July 10th, 2007, 03:09 PM
  #1  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
Differences in 71 and 72 Cutlass A/C

Pulled the A/C out of my 72 parts car to transfer it over to my '71 which the previous idiot....I mean owner had removed. I found the '72 has a couple of extra wires including one to a post on the back of the compressor which does not appear to be a ground. The wires look like I could just add-on to the existing '71 harness or maybe they were there before but removed...heaven only knows what the previous owner did to it.

Anyone have a 71 and 72 or experience with such?

Help?

C.J.
texasred is offline  
Old July 10th, 2007, 06:59 PM
  #2  
Moderator
 
2blu442's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Medford, Oregon
Posts: 13,690
I've dismantled cars of both years but never compared the wiring harnesses. Do you have both the 1971 and 72 Chassis Service Manuals? Good to see you back C.J. I hope all is well with you and yours. John
2blu442 is offline  
Old July 10th, 2007, 11:04 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
Chip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 15
i don't know if I can help here but give me a few days, because on of the rare options on my 442 is factory ac but a owner before me disconected everything, but I've also a 72 coupe parts vehicle and I'll check them then get back here and post again.
Chip is offline  
Old July 11th, 2007, 04:56 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
ozoneblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 569
The extra wire on te back of the compressor is for a high pressure switch which is normaly grounded untill too much pressure is built up then it opens ,You wont need to worry about this
ozoneblue is offline  
Old July 11th, 2007, 01:01 PM
  #5  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
Here's the "offending" part of the harness. http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...2/100_1562.jpg
My 71 physically just has the wire to engage the compressor. This bit isn't there at all. As you can see, the 72 parts car had a jumper on one of the wire connectors, which leads me to believe it was a "low pressure cutoff" or some such thing.

Haven't had a chance to dive in any further. Everyone I know around here with 72 books is getting ready to head up to Nationals and I'm packing up parts to send there myself.

C.J.

And thanks for the welcome back, Blu.
texasred is offline  
Old July 12th, 2007, 12:07 PM
  #6  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
Well I guess it pays to be unemployed.....I mean....errrrr....nevermind.....

Anyway, I had the time to do some digging and found an Olds Illustrated Parts Manual. It came on a CD I got from a company called Detroit Iron. I actually bought it for the CSM and Fisher Body Manual. Great for keeping the "real" ones from getting greasy!

71 and 72 were identical for A/C wiring. The wiring bit that's missing from my 71 is "Fuse, Thermal Limiter". Looks like it somehow jumpers between the Ambient Temp Switch on the suitcase and that mysterious high pressure connector on the back of the compressor (good call Ozone!)

I'm sure I'll have more questions when I actually put this puppy back together. Thanks, guys.

C.J.
texasred is offline  
Old July 31st, 2007, 09:52 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
HWYSTR455's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 694
I think the difference used to be considered 'Super Heat' and non-Super Heat. Honestly, if you can, use a compressor that's the non-Super Heat type and avoid the whole mess. You can figure out the wiring by using the factory service manual to get around not using it, or order a harness without it from a place like M&H. The Super-Heat type compressors fail due to the internal limiter going bad, and they start eating up fuses. They are more expensive and harder to find than the non-Super Heat type too.
HWYSTR455 is offline  
Old July 31st, 2007, 10:16 AM
  #8  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
So is the 72 with the Thermal Limiter Fuse is the Super Heat Type?

Thanks.

C.J.
texasred is offline  
Old July 31st, 2007, 10:33 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
HWYSTR455's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 694
Yes, WITH the fuse= Super Heat.
HWYSTR455 is offline  
Old July 31st, 2007, 11:33 AM
  #10  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
Thread Starter
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
Thanks!

C.J.
texasred is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gearhead442
442
30
February 2nd, 2020 11:56 AM
yamahondarider
General Questions
7
November 26th, 2014 04:51 AM
Nor Cal Andy
Small Blocks
1
March 20th, 2011 04:03 PM
83 delta 88
Small Blocks
2
June 18th, 2010 06:05 PM
64 Cutlass
Small Blocks
20
January 22nd, 2010 06:59 AM



Quick Reply: Differences in 71 and 72 Cutlass A/C



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:33 PM.