Re: 55-56 Factory AC Bracket

Posted by Mr.Pushbutton  On 2007/10/15 9:07:06

Bernardi--I don't know anyone with an operable stock 55-56 A/C system using the OE Lehigh compressor. There was a very nice '56 400 at Warren with the nicest looking system, but I never saw the owner with the car to ask if and how the system worked. Robert Fordyce (sp?) in upstate NY has that absolutely stunning '56 Patrician in Norwegian forest green (my car's color) and I think his system works. most of the guys I have seen with operable A/C systems are using the Sanden compressor. It is compact, highly dependable, and works. I just saw Dwight Heinmuller's '4 Patrician with the trunk mounted evap/fan unit--he uses the Sanden compressor and is very happy with it.
I don't doubt that the Lehigh unit could be made to work, anyhing can with enough time/$$$$$, but I would worry about how much freon it would lose over the years. The Lehigh compressor uses a two-piece machined (lapped) seal, with two components that spin against each other. I have a friend who is a retired referigeration mechanic. I asked him about Lehigh systems, he wasn't overly impressed.
I just wish that Packard had purchsed the GM-Harrison cylindrical compressor that GM made for 27 years with little modification--that is my favorite unit, they just work!