aircon upgrade
 

this late v12 compressor looks like it will take the pipes from a Harrison model has anyone experience of this? the mounting plate is still available from jdht,

RGP
Assuming your system is ungassed at the moment, f you take your existing pipes to an aircon specialist, they will have adaptors to mate them up to any compressor. That is what my guy did, anyway.

Greg

hi Greg
its not degassed at this moment, I am still undecided about type I note the sanden is readily available but going by this site there are sooo many options of outlets
http://www.sunairusa.com/news/2011SandenHeads.pdf
and I have a feeling the pulley may be to far back
I usually use fen-air in Cambridge I will have to get him involved I think

RGP
My Sanden (recently renewed) was a straight replacement. The OEM steel bracket bracket that attaches the compressor to the V is slotted and this gives some adjustment. I had no pulley problems. Certainly nothing that a quick cut and weld cannot fix, that's for sure. If you want the model number, let me know.

Greg

sorry I havnt been back regarding this, but there is a guy with a 6lt he is breaking and have made an offer for comp, bracket and hoses although I don't expect to use the hoses only the comp manifold just the pulley will need sorting, I want to keep the fuel cooler, for aesthetic reasons

Hi,
The A6 compressor in my 1988 XJS V12 has started to leak gas and I want to use this as an opportunity to upgrade to the Sanden compressor. I note the 6L V12 XJS was fitted with a Sanden SD-7H15.
I had assumed this would be a fairly easy switch, fabricate a mounting bracket and have some new hoses made.
However, on reading Kirby Palm's book he suggests there may be inadequate bonnet (hood) clearance as the facelift models apparently had a different shape bonnet which allowed the Sanden unit to fit.
Can anyone else offer some feedback on this?
Thanks

The Sanden is, if anything, smaller than the harrison. On my 1985 it went in as a straight replacement. No clearance issues, much improved performance. If yo want the model number, let me know.

Greg

I used the Sanden a looooong time ago on both the V12's.

Some snaps from the archives.

Attachment 103906

Attachment 103907

Attachment 103908

Attachment 103909

I deleted the cooler, but I know you wish to keep it, so be it, the hoses are a simple thing for any competent a/c guy.

The 6ltr has the bonnet with the "hump", but I had no issues with clearence on the '85. Some Sanden's have TOP hose connectoions, NO GOOD, not enough clearence by a long shot.

Thanks Grant and Greg.


I've noticed the Sanden SD-7H15 comes with either top or rear hose connections and will make sure I get the rear connections.


Greg would you mind checking your model number? My workshop manual says from 1994 on the 6L V12 had a SD-7H15. I've also noticed some earlier ones have an SD-709 fitted which appears to be the R-12 version, where the SD-7H15 is the R134A version. Size is supposed to be identical.

Model No. U4646. For R134a
This is on the actual Sanden label on the body of the compressor.

Greg

Job complete. All gassed up with cold air (very necessary in the Queensland summer). I went with the Sanden SD7-H15 model 7954 variant. This model had the rear pad type connections at the back which are a straight match to the old A44 compressor.


So with great luck I was able to retain my suction side hose (it wasn't very old). The high side piping did not work but I found an bit of piping from a compressor off a Series 2 XJ6 and with a bit of heat was able to bend it to shape and braze a fitting on to it. This allowed me to retain my existing high side hose that runs to the condenser.
I cut the existing compressor mounts and modified them to fit the Sanden.


Biggest problem now is my fuel injector wiring. It used to run under the old compressor. While doing to job I lifted it up out of the way and insulation was cracking everywhere and I had to tape up several wires. Next priority job is to make a new fuel injector harness