Ferrari 456 GT ac compressor swap

I haven't changed the compressor, but you likely have to change it from the bottom and remove the alternator, which I have done, to get to the compressor. Sorry, I can't be more help. Hopefully, someone else will respond.

 

I’d love to do this but the 456M compressors seem to be unobtanium.

 

Good job.

 

After servicing the compressor, don't forget to fill with oil which, according the WSM, needs to be done on the bench rather than after mounting in the car.

 

Chapter I is about HVAC with several pages on servicing the compressor.

 

Doing this now on 1995 456 GT with Sanden.

I found it easy to take the top braket off the block rather then compressor off the bracket. The motor mount is in the way of all those back bracket bolts.

How did your reinstall go? Did you flush? Did you replace evap valve? Did you add more oil than the compressor pre charge? Anything else I should know? Thanks

 

New Sanden is here. Looks like a direct fit but for the pulley which I can hopefully swap. A little dissapointing as it was sold as a direct replacement part. It may fit in current form but is 10mm more narrow than stock pulley. I dont want to mount it and the alternator just to find the belt is too loose...

 

I have personally had this issue with my personal 456GT. The new compressor should have a 8 groove pulley while the original has 6, you run the belt with the front 2 grooves clear (on the back 6 grooves). Measure first though to make sure that the belt is straight. FYI, your belt cover will not fit over the this, it will have to be left off, or you make spacers and run longer bolts so the cover sticks out a bit.

When i came to a major, I sent both compressor's to Polar Bear in Florida and they swapped the pulleys for me so i could go back to original.

Scott
If you have questions, send a pm

 

I am going to swap pulleys or send it back. I will let you know.

 

I was researching the PAG oil replacement. The WSM calls for Murray E13M6 PAG Oil SP2. I cannot find that for sale or any equivalent.

Sanden new compressor installation instructions say all Sanden R-134a SD7H15 piston compressor models use Sanden SP-15 PAG oil for service. They also say the new compressor is pre-charged and systems with less than 4lbs of refrigerant do not need additional oil.

So I am not going to add any oil.

https://www.sanden.com/objects/Compressor_Installation_Instructions.pdf

 

So after a whole lot of looking at Sanden compressors here:

https://atc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sanden_Compressors.pdf

I think I know what coolairparts.com is selling for $700.

Here is their webpage:

https://www.coolairparts.com/NEW-Sanden-OEM-AC-Compressor-Ferrari-456-1995-1998-7844-154676?search=ferrari 456

It says:

NEW SANDEN OEM A/C COMPRESSOR W/CLUTCH FOR FERRARI 456 1995-1998 7844 154676.

Note they put the Ferrari part number and the original Sanden part number which is NLA from Sanden.

The specs state

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This is important because the 132mm 6 groove pulley is what makes these things really unique. They also have 1"-14 fittings that are not as common, but not as unique as the pulley.

What they shipped me was a Sanden SD7H15 in the 4000 series. The 3 numbers after the four were scratched out so I could net tell the exact part number.

But with some research, I found that they shipped me the 4710 with these specs:

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Note the fitting head is CB which is

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But it comes with the 8 groove pulley.

What I think they are doing is taking the pulley from the 4440 and swapping it onto the 4710 and selling it as a 7844 which is NLA. For some reason they did not do that to the one they shipped.

The 4710 can be had for around $250 and the 4440 clutch kit for $120 (or you can try to reuse your old pulley like I am).

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So I think we can replace the OEM Sanden 7844 compressor with a $250 OEM part and pulley swap. At least that is what I am going to try.

Hopefully no more $3,000 compressors....

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I took the old pulley off the original compressor today and it was easy with the proper tools (steering wheel puller, large pulley puller, snap ring pliers + air gun).

Here is a good video for the Sanden pulley swap.

 

I flushed the system today with one of those Amazon kits. Kinda messy and smelly but not too bad. The old oil was a nice light brown color. Most of the oil was in the evap.

I did not replace the expansion valve as it seems hard to access. If that is a problem it will have to wait for my dash pull project....

I flushed the evap from the wheel well covers and the condenser from the dryer. I flushed both ways until no oil was present on a paper towel. I flushed the hoses as well.

I will be putting in the SAAB dryer today.

 

That is some great info @scowman , thanks for searching and sharing.

I am curious now about all these different pulleys. My 550 has what seems to be the original Delphi-Harrison compressor but with an 8 groove pulley that I doubt was ever replaced.

 

My local A/C shop rebuilds the OE compressor cheap. I have never considered replacement.

 

I sent a compressor to the same(?) shop....excellent communication, fast turn around and very reasonable cost.

 

I haven't done any research on the delphi unit. My guess is that the pulley was likely used on something else. Seems to be a Ferrari theme, buy-off-the shelf parts when you can.

 

That's an option if you have a local shop that has done it. But if you are doing a one-off replacement job and don't have the time to source a local rebuilder, and don't want to hassle shipping the old one to national rebuilder, this makes it easier as you can order the parts before disassembly and be back together all in one day (assuming it all works out). Let's see how it all goes back together.

But since we have your attention... would you know how hard is it to get the expansion valve out in the 456? Any insights would be very welcome.

 

No, sorry.