Re: 1956 clipper 352 v8

Posted by HH56 On 2020/3/25 20:29:14

Typically the fan on AC cars is a 5 or 6 blade instead of the 4 used on non AC cars but for the V8 engine the fan pulley is the same for both AC or not. Finding a factory Lehigh compressor can be done but something to remember is parts are all but extinct if there is any problem with the compressor. In my experience, if it needs valves you can pretty much forget about a repair because there appear to be no valves or any gaskets for the valve plates available anywhere. Front seals may still be available from our vendors but expensive.

The factory compressor has an integral bracket which forms the bottom of the crankcase and mounts on the left. It requires a bit of changing around of the oil filter if you are installing it on a non AC engine. IMO, a better, cheaper and more reliable option unless you are a stickler for authenticity would be to fabricate or find an aftermarket bracket that mounts on the right side. If you install a modern Sanden compressor it can take higher revs so you can use an easy to find power steering pulley to drive it rather than the smaller diameter AC pulley. The V8 factory type AC pulleys were being reproduced by a guy active in the Stude community but were expensive. Have not seen his ad for awhile so not sure if they are still repro'd but may be available.