Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Good to know! I had a look at the V2 compressor in my 1965 Imperial LeBaron to see if it would simulate Lehigh but with the clutch in front of the pulley, I doubt it would work. The Imperial has dual front and rear air so it seemed powerful enough but probably would not be adaptable.

I do have the lower pulley. In fact, I have the entire lower vibration damper but I'm not sure if I have the longer bolt. I think I do but I'm not sure.

On the other components, I have the large pieces but I'm missing the dash switch and small parts, brackets, clamps etc. but what I do have will likely work only as patterns. The plenum, for example, would need to be remade and the receiver/dryer, being exposed as it has been, would not be usable at all.

By the way, I have an A.R.A. system with a York compressor and trunk unit but it's from a 1953 Mayfair so must be 6v.

I went out to take a quick inventory before closing up the shop but could not find the longer vibration damper bolt so that's another thing to add to the list of what I will need! The plenum seems in good shape other than the piece with the air inlet as it seems to be held on by only a tiny bit of the material.

However and as an aside, I was surprised to find another compressor other than the York that I thought was for the A.R.A. unit from the 1953 Mayfair. Searching all over it, I saw no name anywhere so I'm not sure what it is or where it came from. Unfortunately I did not have the camera with me and won't be back out there for a few months.

I contacted a rebuilder who says they can restore the original Lehigh A/C compressor. It's not inexpensive and the car isn't even close to being ready for it but perhaps I should do it "while the getting is good" as they say, especially if they can plug the lines well to keep out moisture and dirt. Any ideas on this?

I have two devices that look like receiver/driers and one is for the 1956 Packard but was there another device too? I found a smaller one and am not sure if it goes to this or not. In any event, it/they would need to be restored so is that a possibility?

Although I've never opened up this compressor, it was fairly clear that is was a V-4 due to the oval shape on the heads but I'm glad to have gotten a confirmation. I compared with my Imperial's V-2 mainly to see if it might work as a suitable modern replacement that, being a vertical V-style, roughly simulates the original Lehigh but it likely would not work, especially due to the front-mounted clutch but also because of the shape of the oil sump.

A couple of questions. One would be what type refrigerant are you going to use. This being Calif, R12 is getting rather hard to come by and very expensive when you do find someone to install it. Can the compressor seals work with R134A if the need should arise. Also the oil would have to change if R134 is used. Would there be any issues there.

Another question would be temp control. If you have your modulator valve and it is functioning the temp control is by hot gas bypass. As soon as you turn AC on the compressor starts and runs all the time. The modulator valve is set at a fixed temp and opens and closes to effectively shunt or by pass the refrigerant. With the valve open, refrigerant essentially goes out one compressor port and in the other. None goes to evaporator until evaporator temp raises sufficiently to call for it and modulator valve closes to prevent the refrigerant being bypassed. Will valve work with R134 instead of R12 in the system.

If the modulator valve is defective or won't work well with R134 there is no way to control temp other than do as modern cars do and use an electrical thermostat to turn the compressor on and off. Rotary compressors and their clutches are designed for this and can rapidly engage at higher engine speeds without undue strain or issues. I would be concerned doing this with the Lehigh. It has an old style clutch and a large reciprocating mass. I would verify with the rebuilder the compressor could handle the strain of turning on and off several times a minute when going down the road if that need should arise.

Yes, all good questions but most are far into the future as this car won't be even driveable any time soon. I will inquire about them, though.

As for R134A, that is the very thing I discussed with the rebuilder but have not yet gotten a firm answer although they seemed to suggest it would work. I've switched from R12 to R134A in several '80s vehicles without doing anything special and had no problem but in this case I need to be sure before proceeding.

I have some answers regarding r134a and whether other components can also be restored.

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Since they need a photo and I'm hundreds of miles away from my car, can anyone supply one of the hot gas valve? Isn't there also some kind of solenoid needed? If so, I do not believe I have it.

My damaged valve is put away no no good photos but here are a couple of factory photos. The modulator or bypass valve is the smaller valve with an arrow pointing to temp adjust screw. No solenoids are used on 55-6. This valve does the temp regulation. Who or what is the company that can do the work?

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Thanks a bunch! I hadn't realized it was the expansion valvue they were asking about.

It's Classic Auto Air that I found through another current thread. I already knew of them but didn't know they could work on these older systems until it was mentioned in the other thread.