i just aquired ah 79 el camino but the ac components were removed. now i want to reinstall the system but i have know idea which compressor to use. is the long body one better than the pancake one? or can eather be used. the motor is a 350.

Why not buy a SANDEN compressor nice and small and look a whole lot better..

unless you are going back all stock..

I have an 84 with factory air.... lately the compressor turns off and on rather quickly(5-10 seconds)... what likely condition causes this symptom?

I've done some reasearch on replacement parts and found this website
A/C parts (http://www.discountacparts.com)
anybody here ever purchase from these guys? if so, was your experience positive?

That year model AC was the smaller compressor and it mounted on the driver side of the engine. A Sanden Compressor would cost twice as much and you'd have to have hoses made for it. It is a much better compressor and doesn't have a tendency to shut down at high RPM. There is a link here at ECC on the home page, right side top, that explains AC systems and some diagrams I believe.

As far as the one that is coming on and off. Cycling I believe is what that is called. Probably is low on charge that is a best guess. You have a High Pressure cut out switch and I think a low pressure cutout switch. The low pressure switch is close to the Dryer Accumulator, low pressure (Large Manifold Hoses) cut out is located. Two wires coming off it. I think the high pressure switch is on the compressor but could be on the High Pressure line, the real small one with the orifice.

Take care when adding charge. Bleed the line of air prior to opening it to the system (Charging). If it doesn't take charge or it gets hotter when you charge it stop. It could be that you have a plugged Orifice or a compressor going south. Too much 134a will first cause the system to not get cool and second will ruin the compressor. That compressor is something like $200.00 for a rebuilt one. The orifice is $1.98 R134a is running about 10.00 a can, or pound.

Just use charge. Don't use charge plus oil or charge plus leak fixer junk. Just charge. Too much oil (Liquid) in the system can reduce and even eliminate the ability for the system to cool. Generally, dry the system runs fine on two cans of charge and 4 to 6 Oz of PAG oil. Never install a new or rebuilt compressor with out oil in it and never charge a system you've had open if you can't evacuate the atmosphere from it and pull a vacuum.

i just aquired ah 79 el camino but the ac components were removed.

Mine were removed too. AC was cut and removed, just had a hose going nowhere from the radiator cap that just dripped. i bought an overfolw tank and connected it. then did a flush and now when i shut it off the overflow tank gets the antifreeze sucked out of it, maybe theyres air in it?

Hobart,
The overflow bottle seems to me to be doing it's job. As the engine warms up the anti-freeze expands needs someplace to go rather than on the ground. the overflow tank catches it and as the engine cool ans the coolant contracts the vacuum created pulls anti-freeze back into the system, keepin it full and in doing so you don't have to top it off like cars that don't have an overflow bottle.When the engine is cool check your coolant level and if it isn't full, top it off and add some to the overflow bottle you need about 1/4 to 1/3 full in the bottle, then when you open the hood look at the bottle if the level stays constant then you are ok if it fills or goes dry the you have a problem.
Jim