Hello everybody,
Last year i bought my first older car, a 1966 Cutlass Supreme 4 door hardtop. Not a bad car...I'd like to try and get A/C working, not sure what is wrong with compressor, probably have to rebuild the compressor. Can someone please help with any information about General Motors Frigidaire model number 5910789 compressor. Is it possible to rebuild this compressor or am i better off getting a remanufactured compressor? Where can i find parts for rebuild? Any suggestions on what would give me my best working air conditioning for 1966 Cutlass.
Thank you for any suggestions, i'm new and a little green when it comes to wrenching older car, so i'm looking for any advice. Thank you and have a great weekend.

 

If original it is an A-6 compressor, very durable and usually rebuildable. If you get a rebuilt one don't exchange the old one if you want the car truly original someday. It may be desirable to someone doing a date correct restoration.

If your wish is a more efficient compressor look at Sanden.

Why do you think the compressor is bad, is it seized?

Good luck!!!
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Thanks Sugar Bear,
It's not totally seized up, it rotates but catches a little bit at one spot. I guess i'm looking for a schematic drawing and a place where i can purchase parts so i can rebuild.
Thank you again Sugar Bear.

 

Jim, Have you looked at your 1966 CSM? There is a complete rebuild description of my AC compressor in my '71 CSM. Just a thought, you may already have a schematic?

 

I had to do work on my AC a couple years ago. Not the same compressor, but I recall looking at this one. There are a couple other A-6 compressor videos on YouTube, but I remember this one because the guy doesn't say one word, and it's a super simple demonstration. Good luck!

 

The a/c compressor wont even try to work unless there is refrigerant is the system. Of course that car will use R12 which is crazy pricey if you can get it. Anyway the compressor may be OK. It may not need rebuilding. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

Thank you Sugar Bear, Vintage King and Sam Rogers...sorry it took me so long to respond. The weekend comes around and i find myself in the yard all day (s). Yes I was told the a/c won't work without R12, there is a small amount of R12 in system, probably not enough, good news is i can get some and fill up. it's just when i manually turn compressor and there is a spot where it catches and won't get past. Then when i have engine running and i switch a/c on i get all sorts of screeching going on. Again i am pretty green when it comes to older cars, i can wrench a bit, and my incredibly intelligent mechanical mechanic neighbor/father figure will help and hopefully get a/c going. Again, thank you again with any and all help. Have a great Sunday and coming week leading to celebration of our independence...Happy 4th of July everybody! Be safe.

 

The simplest thing to do is stick with the R12. Go on Craigslist and keep looking and look in adjacent areas. Here in Fla. there is usually someone selling leftover 12oz cans and sometimes whole tanks. I bought a 15lb tank for $200 and several refill cans for about $25 ea. The R134 bandaid is only 'OK' for strictly highway driving. Any other situation it fails to cool well.
I have a '87 Cutlass and a '69 GTO and neither works very well on R134. To use R134 you need a better condenser and a recalibrated POA valve. Finally I would strongly recommend the Sanden compressor. They use less hp to run and aren't as likely to leak. Rebuilt compressors might be good might not be. Been there.