1976 280Z AC compressor

[Z Excellence]

I went in to have my ac system checked out, it wasn't cooling well. It was switched over to R134 in 2000. They said I have a leak in the front seal of the compressor. I looked at MSA an the compressor is no longer available. Does anyone have any experience with having the stock compressor rebuilt? I have had the car since it was new and this is the original compressor. Not bad 32 years!The other option was switching to a totally different compressor and that would be like $900.00 labor and parts. Please advise. Thanks

[hls30.com]

Given what needs to be done, That seems way to high to me-about twice what I would expect.

Sblake is the resident AC tech, I am sure he will chime in...

WIll

[sblake01]

Check with your local AC shop. What compressor is is a Hitachi MJ167? I've actually rebuilt a couple of those and I'm pretty sure the parts are still available. Does your compressor look anything like this one or this one? If so, Norm will sell you one of them at 70-90% off the original list price. http://www.oem-surplus.com/nwp/

[76Datsun280z]

I pulled the MJ167 a/c compressor out of our old 260z parts car and sent it out to this place and had it rebuilt. http://www.directauto.com/category-exec/category_id/43/search_model/280Z/

I think we payed around $200.

[sblake01]

He actually has the SWP123 but the MJ167 is a direct bolt in replacement and is a much better compressor. The SWP is the earlier 'SWash Plate' type compressor and the MJ is the later 'Oil Mist Jet' type and will cool better. I would suggest against using R134a in any of these older systems, however, because of the higher pressure and smaller molecule. If you can find (and afford) R12, that's what these systems were designed for. If not, I use Johnsen's Freeze-12. I buy it by the jug since I do HVAC/MVAC work. $125 per 30 lb. cylinder vs. $750 per 30 lb. cylinder and it actually runs at slightly lower pressures than the original R12. Not a commercial for Johnsen's. It's just that after about six years or so of trying to find a suitable replacement, this is the one that has given the best results.