Installing a Sanden compressor on a 617- looking at all options - Page 10 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

charmalu · #**136** 02-18-2013, 08:59 PM

About $50 bucks. that about what they charge at PNP. then if you want to throw in your time to pull it etc...

Charlie

ROLLGUY · #**137** 02-19-2013, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

I have a Sanden SD508 R12 compressor from a VW with verified mileage (not more than 62k). The ports come out the back (opposite the clutch). Is this a suitable compressor? It spins freely and the clutch pulls in and appears in exc condition. How much is it worth?

If it has the short head, then yes it will work. I believe the longer head will hit part of the frame/body on a 123, but there may be enough room in a 126 (need to measure mine).
Photo of 3 long and one short:

Secondaries · #**138** 02-26-2013, 12:02 AM

Anyone looking for a good deal on a compressor, check this out.

Item: SD-508 Sanden compressor

URL:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290867215575;jsessionid=0DB4CB46172D2DB79D6BACFF35A87E46?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html %3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D290867215575%26_rdc%3D1

I was shopping for weeks for a sanden clone when i came across this listing. He had two, i bought one (for 20 less than his current asking price).still a very decent deal! If my research is correct, this compressor is for a 1983 VW Jetta. Got mine today, K head backplate, dual 1/2" v belt pulley.

karmannkid · #**139** 04-14-2013, 03:00 PM

Hey All
I've been reading the posts in this forum and I think this retrofit kit would be perfect for mu situation. i have an 85 300td euro that likely came with a sanden from europe. now the compressor and bracket is missing, but the lines are there and both appear to have flare type fittings. So i think i would be interested in one of Rollguy's kits. Please let me know the availability and how i would go about buying one.
thx.

ROLLGUY · #**140** 01-30-2016, 12:27 PM

I happened upon this old thread, and reflected on how this idea evolved into a much needed product. Yes there were problems that needed to be sorted out, but the final version seems to be working well, with only a few exceptions. I wonder if there is any of the first generation brackets (10 total) still out there working? I admit that it did have it's problems, and I replaced at least three of the original ones that I personally installed. This whole project was a great learning experience for me, and I am glad to have gone through it. Looking back on this, It makes me wonder what happened to klima? I have only seen one of their bracket kits on a car, and it seems to work good. I also have no doubt that as I have, they have had their share of problems in the development of their kit. I am happy to say that I have plenty of the latest version bracket kits available, as well as NEW Sanden 7 cyl compressors. Also, a huge thanks to member Peter Keun (Mahone Bay) for the awesome job he did in creating the Installation Guide (download PDF from link in my signature). I want to thank all of the members here that have helped in the evolution of this product, and for those that have been patient with me when a problem with a part arose! I desire to continue to provide a quality product at a great value....Rich

charmalu · #**141** 01-30-2016, 02:34 PM

Rich, yeah I have one of your first kits. That`s the one with the idler pulley I
think.
It`s still in the box new. I keep getting other projects in the way, and the AC keeps being put to the back burner.

That was back on 8 -22-12 I got it from you.
It`s sitting on the dinning room floor with a bunch of other MB stuff. Been there
since the big move to NV. I`ll get organized one of these days.

I also have your 2nd gen kit out in the shop some place? I really need to get it installed before summer get`s here this year.

You did a tremendous amount of R&D into this project.
Thank You for every thing you did.

Charlie

BillGrissom · #**142** 01-31-2016, 10:12 PM

I was just fooling with the Sanden bracket today on my 1985 300D, I recall it is your "2nd gen". The tension bolt was about at max extension, so I wanted to switch to a shorter V-belt (had several in hand to try). But, I found that I could hardly get the original belt off. In fact, I kind of recall having to install the belt before I bolted the Sanden to the bracket several years ago. Removing the Sanden would have been a pain since the top bolts are hard to get at (unless remove p.s. pump), so I just moved the jam nut on the tension bolt to the inside, which gave another 3/8". The extra length didn't help much since the bracket appears to flex as I tensioned, which might be good since it maintains a constant tension. I wish I had known this before I went to the hassle of removing the p.s. belt. Others may have more swing room on the bracket. In my case, I used the factory tube assembly, using a Sanden head w/ "GM Pad" to match (search my post for which head, "GK" I vaguely recall). Swinging toward the block, the factory tube hits the oil pan flange. Those using custom rear hoses could swing in farther to get the belt off.

All issues I had with the Sanden bracket kit were with the bracket that was added later off the upper oil pan. One screw was too long and knocked off the rpm "diagnostic pickup pin" on my crank damper. Not a big deal since my 1985 uses a pickup on the tranny bellhousing for the tachometer. The mini bracket didn't reach my main bracket, with a ~1/2" gap that wasn't parallel. I used spacer washers and 2 bolts, but kept finding them missing. I finally used a metal "interference nut" that has stayed in.

I can't say the Sanden cools any better than the R4 in my 1984. It seems the limit is more in the condenser, since when the electric fan kicks on, I can feel a major difference in the temperature from the cabin vents. A Sanden is a good choice since hot rodders have long used them, and most all custom AC kits for classic cars use them. To add to the list above, some Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare's (~1978-1984) had Sanden's. I was surprised to see one on a 6 cyl Volare at PickNPull, so grabbed the brackets for my 1964 Valiant (real cheap solution). I left the compressor since I have several new Sanden's I got cheap on ebay. Big hint: shop for AC in the winter.

ROLLGUY · #**143** 01-31-2016, 11:23 PM

Bill, I thank you for working with me during the evolution of the bracket. Your experiences (and those of others) have helped the product improve, and that is invaluable. Having 2 cars, one with each the Sanden and R4 is a great thing. You are in a position to compare the two in real life. Even though the cooling may be equal, you will find that the Sanden will outlast the R4, and that is the main reason this system was developed in the first place. I will suggest that you either buy my relay modification or make your own for both cars. The difference you feel when the condenser fan comes on can be made non-existent if the fan comes on as soon as the compressor is engaged. The entire system will also not have to work as hard, and you will get colder vent temps sooner.......Rich

BillGrissom · #**144** 02-01-2016, 03:19 PM

Rich,
I might do your mod to turn the fan on w/ AC clutch, but would also wire a switch to disable that on highway trips where I don't want the fan running based on AC clutch. I would also leave the temp switch in and wire the control as "OR" in case I inadvertently leave the manual switch off when off the highway.