1980 F100 has the "York" ac compressor. I would like to update it to a Sanden. Restomod has one with an adapter plate. Is that all that's needed? https://restomodair.com/shopproducts...t-driver-side/ If anyone knows a better option for an updated AC I'm all ears. Thanks

 

The one you are looking at, I hope it comes with the compressor for that price? It should work if the lines will attach. Do they say anything about the old refrigeration lines attaching to that new compressor?

 

I'm gonna call them tomorrow and ask questions. Just wondering if anyone here knew of an alternative.

 

Have you considered finding the factory brackets for the same engine originally equipped with the Sanden compressor? Might be a bit more sleuthing to track down the pieces and determine if they’d work with any other belt-driven components you have.

That kit looks like it adapts the Sanden compressor to fit on the existing York brackets. Seems like an extra layer of brackets, which would irritate my CDO nature.

Either way, it looks like you’re on your own for hoses and the manifold where the hoses attach to the Sanden compressor. A local hydraulic shop should be able to fabricate what you need if stock replacements won’t work or are not available.

 

I didn't know that Sanden came as original equipment on any years. Do you know of a year span? ( 1975 - 1985 ) ex. Yes I would have brackets on brackets. Will weld them together once set up properly, except for the adjustment of course.

 

My ‘84 351W has a factory Sanden compressor. Not sure about the 6 cylinder but would think they did, too.

 

Ok you will have some issues with the swap but nothing that cant be over come.
I think in 84 they went to the newer compressors to 86 then they went to the serp belt system.
For the 80 to 86 300 six trucks there were I believe there were 3 different brackets.
There is the York and 2 different Sanden and that is based on the PS pump used Ford or GM type pump used on the vans.

I run the Sanden with the GM PS pump from a van as PS pump was on the truck but hav eto come up with the AC brackets.

Once you get the compressor mounted you will have to deal with hoses / drier and manifolds for the compressor.
First the manifolds IF you can find them new they will be big money. My fix was to by a junk yard compressor with the manifolds on it.

Hoses, I had to hunt for hoses as they are different between the York & Sanden units.
The way they run in the engine bay is easy, Sanden runs back to the firewall over to the HVAC box.
Mine run partly across the valve cover.

Then the ends at the box are different thread size to the drier. You can not swap to the newer drier as the other end of the drier threads are different than the evap coil. I dont remember now but I was able to find new hoses but 1 and had to reuse it.
It was the high psi hose from the Evap to the condenser IIRC
I dont remember what hoses I used at this time but I know 1 of them I first got was wrong and could not send it back.
I would say get hoses from a local store so you can exchange if wrong or have ones made up.
I came close to buying a hose / fitting kit, crimper and making my own.

I did look into the adapter brackets from York to Senden till I found mine but I dont see any issues with them.
Junk yard compressor with manifolds, use the compressor for a core and get a new one.
My compressor made noise from day 1 and crapped out in a years time.
Hard part are the hoses. that I see.

I did not look into this but you might look into swapping out the evap coil for the later one with the later drier so then you can use the later hoses with the Senden compressor and not have to go through what I did.
I did not know all this till I got into getting my system together and running.
Dave ----

 

Awesome. Thanks for this.
I am replacing a totally missing AC system in my 85 and wasn't aware that the manifolds are not part of the pressure line like the later model trucks are.
Something else to get at wrecking yard next time I go.

 

They are also not part of the compressor and why I went looking for them and found out how much they were, new & if can find used!
That was 1 reason why I went with the junk yard compressor.
Think I got the compressor with manifolds less than what I found the manifolds for.
Dave ----

 

Are you saying the Ford FS series compressors were made by Sanden? Are you sure about that? They look sort of the same, but I am not sure they are exactly.

 

Thanks Fuzz. A lot to digest there but I'm working on it.

 

As said if I had to do it over again I would go with the adapter bracket.
Replace the evap coil & drier with the newer one that the hoses fit both the coil & compressor and not have to deal with hoses like I had to.
Dave ----

 

Are you implying I could be the W word????



Is that even remotely possible?

Back to the question at hand. My ‘84 has the barrel-shaped compressor. Was it manufactured by Ford? Sanden? I’m not sure.

 

When you say totally missing the truck had factory AC to start?
If so then you should be OK as 85 would be the later evap coil and take the later drier and hoses.
Dave ----

 

Yes, mine is an OEM AC truck, but missing hoses and compressor so this is why I didn't know that the manifold on the compressor may be a separate piece.
The OE evaporator, accumulator and condenser is still in place but being replaced.

All of my 92 up Fords have the compressor hose manifold as part of the hose assembly.