Converting AC to on board air (1 Viewer)

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Ok guys, I really want to convert my ac compressor to onboard air, but the only thing I have seen so far is with using a york. Does anyone know if I can use my stock chevy compressor? it is from a 1990 TBI 350.
 
You can use it and it will produce lots of air. The real question is how long it will last. Unlike a York, the vane-type of compressor you have relies on lubricant contained within the refrigerant. You will need to add an inline oiler on the input side and a coalescing filter to remove the oil on the output side. Even with these measures I have never been able to get more than two years of service out of these units before they burn up. If you have a number of compressors or can get them cheap, that is an option -- use 'em and lose 'em.
 
can I use a york with a serpentine belt? From what I know my compressor ain't cheap. I could sell it and almost pay for all the parts at a junkyard.
 
why do we need to take the oil out of the air helps the air tools and really is it bad for the tires. plus if it isnt really used that often how much would it hurt to add a drop of oil to the intake of the compressor when and if you use it.
 
I don't filter the air from my York...

You can perform a mod to York's that significantly reduces the amount of oil they pass into the air. OilFix

It doesn't hurt anything, just gets messy. And filters are cheap. You can also set it up so that the filter drains into the oiler.

Even if I had an engine with an A/C compressor I would figure out a way to mount a york. Anything else is a short term solution and could fail on the trail. I depend on the York to operate my ARB, and it would often be dangerous if I could not air up after some remote trails before hitting the road again.
 
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