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Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:06 pm

I have a 1985 Westy with the straight on screw type connectors off the back of the compressor. I'm curious to know which models are compatible.

I believe the SD-508 was the original. Will the SD-510 or SD-709 work?

Thanks

Scott

Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:22 am

Anyone....Anyone....Bueller.....Bueller?

S

Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:37 am

I thought this might be a good topic to resurect since summer is approaching and it's a topic currently on my mind.

I have a '86 Syncro GL tin top that I'm bringing the A/C system up to date on. I've already had the evaporator out, repaired all the broken plastic on it and the air tunnel. Flushed the A/C lines out with methanol with expansion valve and dryer removed.

I then installed a new expansion valve and dryer using new o rings. Re-installed evaporator with housing and air tunnel. My compressor felt "crunchy" so I thought I would check the oil. No oil.

That brings me to my question. I have the Sanden SD 510, my compressor looks to be original with VW/Audi markings and the head is not marked either QC or QJ.

I plan on buying a rebuilt/new compressor from either Southeast Air or NAPA. Is there any benefit to using the Sanden SD 709 compressor that I believe was found on later Vanagons? Is it a direct fit, slight altering or total hose and bracket refit situation? Worth any effort it may take or just about the same performance?

Oh, and the RedTek distributor is about 15 miles from my house ;)

Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:26 am

scottjk wrote: I have a 1985 Westy with the straight on screw type connectors off the back of the compressor. I'm curious to know which models are compatible.

I believe the SD-508 was the original. Will the SD-510 or SD-709 work?

Thanks

Scott

I have a '87 with factory air - it has a SD-709. Those low/high connectors are not screw in type - they are press in with o-rings, held in place by a cover bracket. So unless you change the suction/output hoses, the newer compressor will not be compatible - fittings only - can't address the pressures, cylinders, capacity, etc..

Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:42 am

The tail covers should be able to be swapped between compressors if you want to keep the same fittings arrangement.

Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:39 am

tencentlife wrote: The tail covers should be able to be swapped between compressors if you want to keep the same fittings arrangement.

Are the tail covers the same in so far as diameter, screw/bolt hole locations, etc, such that they can be swapped? If so, this opens a lot of possibilities for backfits using newer compressors with old tail pieces to make the systems whole again without swapping hoses...

Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:30 am

The suction & the pressure hoses ends must be the exact same to be swapping from one compresor to the other.

Unless you fabricate some sort of an adapter plate, or hose ends that are universal to everything.

The AC lines are no different than anything else.
They are manufactured to fit one type of pump--and that's it.

If your coming up with a compressor that's different, well, your either going to have to change the hoses, or make some sort of an adapter.

I'd stick with the same type of compressor myself.

Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:15 pm

Navy_Flyer wrote: tencentlife wrote: The tail covers should be able to be swapped between compressors if you want to keep the same fittings arrangement.

Are the tail covers the same in so far as diameter, screw/bolt hole locations, etc, such that they can be swapped? If so, this opens a lot of possibilities for backfits using newer compressors with old tail pieces to make the systems whole again without swapping hoses...

The Sanden 5xx series is a 5-cyl and 7xx series is a 7-cyl, and the bolts are spaced between the cyls. That means you can't swap tailcovers between series, but you can within series. I know there are different covers for the 5's for at least two different style fittings. The 7's I have all have the same style but I'll bet they have the same variants. So if you're replacing within series, and your new one has different fittings you can easily swap the covers. If you're willing to pull a couple small and redundant locator roll pins you can even clock the covers.

Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:31 pm

tencentlife wrote:
The Sanden 5xx series is a 5-cyl and 7xx series is a 7-cyl, and the bolts are spaced between the cyls. That means you can't swap tailcovers between series, but you can within series. I know there are different covers for the 5's for at least two different style fittings. The 7's I have all have the same style but I'll bet they have the same variants. So if you're replacing within series, and your new one has different fittings you can easily swap the covers. If you're willing to pull a couple small and redundant locator roll pins you can even clock the covers.

I think that's the answer for the question I was trying to ask. Since the SD7xx are seven cylinder compressors, are they any better, worth the effort to install. My SD510 already has the slip on-O ring external clamp hose connection.

Or, is this where "KISS" comes into play "Keep It Stock Stupid" Thanks for the input from a very knowledgeable group.

Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:19 pm

The easiest way would be to get the hoses changed to fit the compressor your thinking of using.

Call Sanden and ask them if they would make a compresor with later model specs, to an older back end of the compressor.
This would be another option.

I find it hard to imagine opening up a brand new compressor & changing the back end of it to a used unit just for the sake of using the old style fittings.