{Chrysler 300} A/C compressors PITA

I have been trying to do a better than average rebuild of an A/C compressor for the Chrysler. What a PITA.

In my previous posts you may have noted that there are TWO designs. The V2 and the RV2.

One is about 9 cubic inch and the other is about 10 cubic inches.

The differences are in the crankshaft, rods, and pistons. The block is the same as to bore diameter and length. The other differences are the early bearing housing (V2) has 5 bolts and the later has 4 bolts. Also, the oil pump cover has 4 bolts on the V2 and only 2 bolts on the RV2.

The front of the block that holds the crankshaft front bearing is different. When they went to the RV2 they changed it to take a larger diameter bearing. The specifications on the bearing differences, I ran them down on the SKF website, work out to be about 34% more dynamic load bearing capability and a 70% increase in static load bearing capability!

I thought I could just use the later large bearing cover on the early block. That is when I found out about the bolt count difference. In addition, one can see casting marks which were the drill points in manufacture. It looks like they drilled the cover and the block in one procedure and were not too concerned about the drill marks. Therefore, the covers cannot be swapped as the holes are all in a little different alignment. Each unit is a matched set. Great@^&&%^&!!!

I had already painted and prepped the older block. Now I may have to use the RV2 block. With that about of difference in front bearing load capability, I really do not want to use the lower rated load unit on a car with double belts. Although the 1964 Master Parts Books show that Chrysler and Imperial could have either unit as both are listed. I suspect a delay on the larger unit and/or a mid-year change.

Now why is this information important. Because the rebuilders play fast and loose with the parts. Case in point. The RV2 core I got that came out of a 1965 Imperial 413 and therefore had the larger front bearing housing but the 9.x cubic inch crankshaft, rods, and pistons in it.

So, when getting a rebuild, you may think you are getting the correct unit, but there is ZERO way to tell unless you see it apart. Given this issue and in particular for those switching to 135, the one cubic inch larger unit may make a cooling difference.

Caveat Emptor.

James