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Hey all

I just picked up a 411 1.7 engine and the plan is to transplant it into my 69 Square. I am posting this here to avoid the moral argument of the engine swap on the Type 3 forum - many there believe T3 should be powered by putt-putt 1600 only. Interestingly enough, nobody from the other side wants to pull their T4 engine and replace it with a T1.

Anyway, the engine has an A/C compressor with the name Lester on the side. It looks like the whole thing has been together since the car left the factory. [EDIT: It appears these were installed by the dealer, and not the factory. It does explain the modifications needed to fit the parts]
Is this one of the OEM power robbing compressors? If so, can this be easily swapped out with something modern?
Thanks!
Monte

You are wrong about nobody putting a type 1 motor in a 411. For my nephew's first car, my friend and I took a 412 which was robbed of the motor, and installed a 1500 cc single carb sidedraft fastback motor in the car. He was happy he had a car (at first) and we knew he would not go over the speed limit.

Hi

Cool story! It's a great feeling to help someone young get into the hobby by helping wrench on their first car. A friend of mine has a teenage son that is going through much the same thing with a 68 bug. The plans are for a 1500 SP with worn out springs to keep his young foot out of trouble LOL!

I am sure if your nephew had driven a T4 engine he would make it a goal to get another one installed! All in good time I am sure........

The original compressors, were mainly York and Tecumseh. Some were also made in Italy. Though they robbed power down low, at highway speeds it was not too bad...as long as the engine is well tuned. Most were two cylinder axial type. Tell us a little about the bracket. There are quite a few that could fit on the stock bracket. Some of the GM round ones...or now days i would use some of the multi-piston radial conpressors...like golf, volvo etc. Ray

Ray, thanks for the reply. I may not say it often enough but it is always appreciated!
As far as trying to describe the bracket, I think the saying a picture is worth a thousand words applies here. Tomorrow when there is daylight available I will snap a pic and post it thru Samba.

Ok, here is what I call an overall pic, I think it shows the most detail.

The compressor is bolted to a flat plate that bolts to bar stock that is in turn bolted to the engine. I intend to take better pics when I take it apart later, but for now I am just trying to get an idea of this compressor is worth keeping or if I can replace it with something modern and readily available. I do like how compact this model is, and if it's worth keeping I will.
A couple more pics are in the Samba 411/412 gallery under my Samba name "Class 11's alter ego".

Most of the yorks and tecumsehs bolted straight up to the flat area at the end of the cooling manifold...where the four empty bolt holes reside, not far from the oil cooler. That looks similar to some of the ones on the rabbits, sirrocs and golfs. Probably about the same as the Yorks. Both were twin piston I think. Ray

Ray, I did a little internet researching, and I came across a Volvo messageboard where the members were talking about A/C compressors about the same vintage as mine. Someone there mentioned the York compressors were aluminum, and the Tecumseh (sp?) were iron. Does this sound accurate? This would mean I have a York.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I have a York. I should have thought about the bus crowd sooner, as the late Type 4 engine busses use the same setup as the 411/412's did.

Interestingly enough, those experienced with the York compressor seem to be unable to mention the York without also writing lengthly negative comments or using colorful adult language............