1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88

[defiant79]

Hello,

I've been doing some work to this car for a while now and decided to take a look at the A/C stuff on the car. The belt was removed when I got the car so I assumed that the A/C Pump was probably shot.

Decided to get a belt and find out. Checked to see if we were getting power at the A/C pump as it was not engaging, and we were not. Ran a direct line to the A/C pump and the pump engages!

Car ran fine with it on and engaged, but the pump started smoking a bit after 20-30 seconds. I shut it off and removed power to it.

I'm just wondering if this is possibly due to age, or something I'm missing (first time really messing with A/C stuff). The system is pressurized, but I don't know if its any good or not.

Also where should I look as to why the pump doesn't engage from the dash? The fuse is ok, so unless there is another one I'm not aware of??

Thanks for anything!

[maxwedge]

Where did the smoke come from exactly? There is a switch in the dash control for the compressor. The pressure may just be air pressure, it was disconnected for a reason.

[defiant79]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Where did the smoke come from exactly? There is a switch in the dash control for the compressor. The pressure may just be air pressure, it was disconnected for a reason.

Sorry should have said that, the smoke was coming from between the pulley the belt was on and the clutch plate on the front of the compressor.

I don't know much about the history of the car, other than it was bought originally to be used as a derby car, and the couple decided it was to nice for that. They put almost $3000 into fixing it up, but they had already put different springs in since it was gonna be used in a derby. I wasn't sure if the A/C had been disconnected because of that, or another reason. I'm not expecting it to work, but before I look around for another compressor I'd like to be sure.

[toddman67]

You will probably have to have the system tested for leaks. Then you could purchase a new compressor for about $150 - $180 and a retro-fit kit for about $40 to change it over to R-134 refrigerent. And of coarse there is labor etc. Tough choice!

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by defiant79

the smoke was coming from between the pulley the belt was on and the clutch plate on the front of the compressor..

I bet you dollars to donuts your compressor is seized solid.

Although the clutch engaged, the compressor would not spin, so the clutch simply spun until it built-up so much heat it smoked.

Time for a new compressor.
FWIW getting a neglected/broken AC system up and running is pretty expensive. You will probably need a new compressor, R-134A conversion kit, a new dryer, all-new O-rings (maybe hoses too), refrigerant and evacuation and fill service.
The price for all that in my '84 Supra was estimated at $700