Urgent Need AC Compressor Parts for 79 Fairlady Z (280ZX)

[79FairladyZ]

I have a 79 Fairlady Z and the AC is shot. The AC parts cross with a 79 280ZX. I found the Compressor and other parts but the compressor clutch that I was told is the right one is not and I can not find one that fits the new compressor I have.

ANYONE have any clues on where I can get a AC Compressor Clutch and or a Compressor with a clutch on it. (My compressor is a Hitachi MJ 167-41)

I go on line and they list them but you call them and they say opps sorry we do not have it. Can not get them. Have not found one yet anywhere.

Car is in the shop in pieces as I thought I had all the parts. I do not like surprises.

Would appreciate any help. If not I am looking at a retro kit with a new compressor. Would rather have the real thing but finding that they are rarer than I thought they would be.

Thanks for your help

[black gold man]

http://www.discountacparts.com/viewcart.asp

[79FairladyZ]

Thanks for the tip but I talked to them last week and yesterday again as my mechanic called them too. These guys show that they have it but when you call them to get it they do not have it and want to rebuild yours. Mine is froze up and not any good. They are related to about 4 other AC guys on the net and when you call you get the same guy. Feel like that credit card guy in Siberia answering all the calls and not any help at all. All the same story.

Thanks for the try. Any others? Local guys to you?

[5thhorsemann]

Take your clutch apart and see whats wrong with it, just because it locked up doesn't make it un rebuildable.

[sblake01]

Check with Norm at OEM Surplus. http://www.oem-surplus.com/nwp/index.htm Last time I checked with them, they had a couple of MJ167 compressors, one for a 310 and one for an HLA10. The main difference between those compressors and yours is how the mounting ears are clocked but you could swap the clutch assembly from either of them on to your compressor.

[79FairladyZ]

Thanks for your comments

My mechanic told me the clutch was toast. I will keep it and may see if I can rebuild it. I found a used compressor with a cluthch that I may buy. If nothing else I can send it out to be rebuilt.

As for OEM surplus that one is new to me. I looked at it and they have very few compressors none of which look to match. The only 310 listed is without clutch. It is too late to call them so I will follow up tomorrow but thanks for the tip. Good to know for other parts. What is an HLA10?

I found a guy that will sell me a kit to convert it to a modern compresor. I think that is where I will have to go. He sent me the dwgs and with a slight modification being a Fairlady it looks like it will work. Just want the AC as I like to have it working and it was 110 yesterday and today here in Phoenix area. I am have having fun looking around. Learning lots.

Again thanks for your help.

[sblake01]

Look up 27630-Q0500 (310) and 27630-M6606 (HLA10) on that site. They're both MJ167 compressors with clutches. They're new and his prices are very resonable. An HLA10 is a late model (78-81) 510.

[79FairladyZ]

OK I missed these. Looked through the lonnnnnnnggggggg list and was looking for "AC" compressors. I see the one (6606) that it is a MJ167 but different as you stated but I agree that the clutch should be the same. Rasonable price too. As for the other one how do you know it is a MJ167? No pictures and no reference to this. You obviously know your stuff but trying to figure out if the other one is a better fit or not. How do you know?

Facinating site. Thanks for your help. I will call Norm in the morning.

[sblake01]

Sorry, I got the descriptions reversed. Both of those models of Datsun used MJ167 compressors. the Q0500, which is for the HLA10, might actually work on your ZX since it's setup for a L series (although a 4 cyl.), but at very least, the clutch would be the same and you could use it. I'm an AC tech and have tinkered around quite a bit with the old Datsun AC systems in the past.

[79FairladyZ]

Thanks again,

Talked to Norm today. Relly nice guy. He had some more pictures for the 6606. Looks like the clutch may work. On the other one, 0500 it was in Wisc and he is in Oklahoma. He had no info at all. All I could go by was what you told me. You knew more than he did. He gave me another option that he says others have done. That was from a Maxima. Saw the pictures of it and that may or may not work. Different specs I noticed on the compressor. Decided against this one.

So I went to my mechanic and talked with him. I saw my clutch and the coils are fried. The bearings are not too bad but it is toast. So we talked about the options and we dicided to go with the retro kit out of Texas. That way we are pretty sure it will work and if not he will take it back and I am out nothing. If not then I have this 6606 waiting in the wings. I was afraid that it might not work. Down the road the retro will be easier to replace if needed. Also going to 134a.

Hey Thanks for your help. I will let you know if this retro works and if so I could let others know where to get it for their Z's. Works with all 240-280ZX models from what he is telling me. I will find out next week. If not I will then go with plan B.

Wish me luck

[sblake01]

Is that 'retro kit out of Texas' a complete kit? I've never been a fan of using 134a in the old, R12 based systems.

[79FairladyZ]

Replacing the compressor (with clutch), Dryier, Expansion valve and flushing out the system. Not sure what else but I have been told it has all the fittings and hardware for either 12 or 134. 12 is too hard to find and is real expensive. I agree not as good but not too much of a choice.

Will let you know how it goes