Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => General Fiero Discussion => Topic started by: Fierofool on November 02, 2022, 04:25:29 pm

Title: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 02, 2022, 04:25:29 pm
Does anyone have an HR6 AC compressor off the car?  It doesn't need to be a good compressor, just one of the new styles that has recesses in the case for the hose manifold seals.  The original compressors used a simple O-ring that fits into a groove in the case.  The new compressors have deep-cut recesses for a metal and rubber seal.  We are having difficulty finding the right seals.  The red and green seals that some have had success with are not working on my compressor.  The thickness of one is wrong and the manifold doesn't sit level and leaks. 

The only way I have found to get the correct seal is to buy a complete AC replacement kit with a compressor, drier, orifice tube, oil, and seals.  Even though Four Seasons sells the seals with a kit, they don't package them separately. 

I have bought about 5 different seal kits but I can't determine if anything will work without the ability to bolt the AC hoses to a compressor. 
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 03, 2022, 12:16:13 pm
I just realized that any of the later aluminum case compressors used on the Fiero will work for identifying the correct seals so it doesn't need to be a HR6.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 03, 2022, 06:36:51 pm
NAPA sells a whole assortment of individual washers. They're only a few dollars each. I ended up buying one of most everything they had.
I can look at my 4.9 and see what's on there. Been a few years. It has an HR6.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 03, 2022, 08:18:19 pm
I have two sets of the red and green seals and the inserts, but when they're installed, the manifold doesn't sit flush.  It would only pull about 10 inches and then leak down within 5 minutes.

 Jason used AC Delco seals for a Deville.  They came from Rock Auto or Summit with his compressor.  Both are much thinner, but to find out what they are would require draining and opening his system.  Not worth it. 

I bought another kit with about a half dozen metal and rubber seals and about 30 various size green o-rings, but I need a compressor to bolt the hose manifold to to be sure I have the right combination before attempting to recharge the system. 
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 03, 2022, 09:03:11 pm
I'll have to look at what I've got. I'll try to do that tomorrow.
The last time I did mine, the green and red did not work. (They did, the first time, but got screwed up because i didn't use the metal ferrule, in the end of the tube. Tried to suck the seal out.)
But since everybody else was using them, I figured I was the "odd man".
Keep in mind, I've got a 4.9 replacement compressor, but have the Fiero lines.
No telling. But the entire car is a kludge, so there you go.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 03, 2022, 09:33:24 pm
Jason probably has the same as you have.  It seems the tail end of the compressors are pretty much the same so they use the same manifold flange.  Listings for a wide variety of GM vehicles uses the same seals. 
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 05, 2022, 11:56:07 am
Jason probably has the same as you have.  It seems the tail end of the compressors are pretty much the same so they use the same manifold flange.  Listings for a wide variety of GM vehicles uses the same seals.

But can he see - or does he remember - what's on his car? 
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 05, 2022, 02:22:59 pm
They are much thinner and I believe he said they were both shiny metal.  He showed me a picture and the manifold just barely cleared the flange on the compressor. I could see the metal of one of them.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: SpadeCustoms on November 05, 2022, 11:07:16 pm
My manifold is about flush with the compressor. I am using the thin black seals. They are different sizes but they are thin. Charlie just wants to make very sure. Ha
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 07, 2022, 11:44:23 am
This is what mine looks like.


There's also some evidence that it's been leaking at some point, so there's that.
Also... that's a really sloppy weld on the high side line. Had to have it reconfigured to clear the motor mount.
High pressure switch was unplugged for clarity.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 07, 2022, 12:07:05 pm
My manifold is about flush with the compressor. I am using the thin black seals. They are different sizes but they are thin. Charlie just wants to make very sure. Ha

I'm giving some thought to using a combination of green or red seals along with one of the silver seals as long as the deck height is equal.  Even if the outer diameter is smaller, as long as the seal portion fits.

Steve, thanks for all the trouble of helping.   Next I have to send the damaged hose back to Larry Hubbert to be exchanged for the good one he has.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: SpadeCustoms on November 08, 2022, 01:44:21 pm
https://www.facebook.com/SpadeCustoms/photos/pcb.758765672165302/758765592165310/

You can see how flush my manifold is. I personally would not use the red or green spacers. They allow for the manifold to move ever so slightly. Just saying.
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 08, 2022, 02:21:11 pm


I'm giving some thought to using a combination of green or red seals along with one of the silver seals as long as the deck height is equal.  Even if the outer diameter is smaller, as long as the seal portion fits.

Steve, thanks for all the trouble of helping.   Next I have to send the damaged hose back to Larry Hubbert to be exchanged for the good one he has.

You're thinking of "stacking" them? I don't think I would do that. There's gotta be a combination that will work. 

Did you finally get a response from Larry?
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 08, 2022, 02:33:23 pm
I think stacking would definitely be a problem.  I was thinking that if I could find one with the correct thickness, even though the outside diameter of the metal might be a little smaller, as long as the deck height was correct and the rubber seal fit the neck of the manifold, that it should work. 

i have been in touch with Larry.  He has another compressor hose that he's going to have someone check to verify it's good and he's willing to swap out.  I just have to get the bad one off the car and put one on to keep the system clean of foreign matter. 
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 08, 2022, 07:22:45 pm
I think stacking would definitely be a problem.  I was thinking that if I could find one with the correct thickness, even though the outside diameter of the metal might be a little smaller, as long as the deck height was correct and the rubber seal fit the neck of the manifold, that it should work. 
...

Ah. Okay. I misunderstood.

I'm glad you got in touch with Larry. All I'm gonna say...
Good luck with your lines.

BTW... lots of NAPA stores will build lines for you, to your spec. That's who installed my rubber lines after I had the "pretty" welding job done.

Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Fierofool on November 08, 2022, 09:17:23 pm
I went to the NAPA here in Winder and they didn't have a crimper.  They suggested to go to a local mobile hydraulic hose repair.  They said they couldn't do it, either.  Their crimper was a huge bench mounted setup and could only do a single line.  They didn't even have a hand crimper. 

If it turns out that the replacement is no good, I may seek out your NAPA store.   
Title: Re: HR6 AC Compressor
Post by: Raydar on November 09, 2022, 10:51:56 am
The NAPA I used was in Mableton, but that was like 8 years ago. I would call NAPA stores in your area, and ask if they can build/crimp A/C lines.
I've seen (just in passing) several NAPA stores mention that they offer that service.
The most recent one was in Franklin, which will do you absolutely no good. (They're further from you, than I am.)