What is correct orientation of R4 compressor?
 

Just overhauled my friends 1985 300D turbo AC system. The new R4 compressor was sold by Worldpac for this application. The documents that came with the compressor only talked about dometic applications. When the compressor was mounted the clutch electrical connection found itself at the 6 oclock position instead of the 3 oclock postion as it normally should be. Does this mean the compressor will not be lubricated properly?

Just found this:
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leathermang
Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: central Texas
Posts: 7,990

PS, one of the things engineers like about the Delco 4 is that it can be run in any position..... It can do this because it HAS NO Chamber for holding oil.. it is lubed only by the oil flowing with the refrigerant....
The Yorks can only be run in two positions...
I do not know about the other rotaries.. but suspect they must be horizontal...
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I once heard from a MB master tech that the orientation of the R4 was critical for proper lubrication. But above quote from leathermang suggests otherwise.

and now this:

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engatwork
retired mo der a tor Join Date: May 2000
Location: Warner Robins, Ga USA
Posts: 6,504

one less thing to worry about
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I called Delphi customer service today and talked with a 30+ year verteran. He pulled their documentation on the r4 unit and they "recommend" installing it with the x in the up position but on the same hand he said it does not matter. The oil is splashing around in there so much that the front bearing is going to get some lube on it no matter where the x is. He stated that in working there for 30 years that this was the first time anyone has ever asked this question and that they have a MB trained tech on staff and he reiterated the same thing - that it should not make any difference in the life of the compressor. I will be replacing a one year old new "locked up" compressor this coming weekend and hopefully will be able to take the old compressor apart to determine it's failure mode.
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So orientation does not matter, right?

The "locked up" compressor I replaced actually had a locked up clutch. The compressor pulley still turned free. Since that time I have replaced a couple more and neither of them even had an "x" on it. In regards to the wire connection the application manual for a 1981 300D shows you can use a Delphi compressor with the wire connection at the 3 o'clock position or the 6 o'clock position. I kinda like the 6 o'clock position better because of the close proximity of the connector to the frame when it is at the 3 o'clock position.

The clutch (and its electrical conector) can be oriented independent of the compressor itself. One has nothing to do with the other. Given the nature of the compressor hose manifold, there should not be but one way that the compressor can be mounted. Mounting it 90 degrees off is not going to work.

It must be clocked correctly to allow both the clutch wires and the a/c hoses to hook up properly,The ports on back of the compressor for the hoses must line up.Johnny:confused:

On the 300D, there is lot's of flexibility with regards to the electrical connector orientation.. Six o'clock and nine o'clock (when facing forward) both work well.

Refer to post #5.

Yup I agree 100 percent sorry for the echo,message deleted,Johnny:)

There is only one orientation for the R-4 on the MB, the hose manifold will only fit with the compressor in one position. It does not really matter where the electrical connection is. The compressor is a radial type like on the old WWII fighter planes.