Dual AC pumps, in case you didn't know...
Rube Goldberg inspired them, front pump looks similar to power steering pump made from a rusty iron bagpipe and wooden bucket. Located forward of engine cooling fan, riding single spindle and bearing, powered by windmill vanes (or optional small rodent when engine off), the pump howls like a bagpipe and leaks like a sieve however manages to deliver Freon via drinking straws held loosely together with band aids supplying the front evaporator which ran conventionally with blower fan, ducting and directional vents through the dash.
Rear pump being a little more complicated, pulls it's power from rear driveshaft via a bicycle tucked above the rear axle hanging from waistband suspenders stapled to both the muffler and gas tank. Power is applied through the little headlight generator wheel pressed against the driveshaft, turning the front wheel encased in sausage skin which is stretched over the front tire twisted in the center for snug fit then around rear tire so they turn together, which then turns the chain which turns the pedals. The pedals "kick at" if you will, a 20 gallon, jello filled, glove shaped bladder that is located where you find the spare now, each kick pushes the bladder "fingers" bunched and tied together holding an ordinary toilet plunger that extends into the Freon bucket hanging from the driver side rear leaf spring. It was located at the rear spring because it was believed that on bumpy roads the driver sweated more and the pump actually performed better in the bumps due to longer plunger travel. The rear bucket also has straws held loosely together with band aids that supply the rear evaporator which runs conventionally with blower fan, ducting and directional vents. None of the Freon was returned to a condenser it just pumped freely out of vents and ran down floorboards and returned to supply buckets via gutters and downspouts, thus forcing driver and passengers to open the windows, letting cool air into vehicle and viola, it worked!
There was no spare tire back then, if you received a flat tire, you had to remove the rear AC pump drive train aka spare bicycle and ride to your destination. Most people just threw it in the back once removed and relied on the front AC pump only, that is until the wind vanes fell apart and then you were just driving around hot with the bagpipe howl. The original accessory power supply consisting of 1 small rodent, 1/2 lb sunflower seeds, cage, running wheel and water bottle was difficult to buy aftermarket because replacements didn't come on a spindle directly driving the front pump, they wanted the mechanic to work out another bladder system, the rodents didn't supply enough power and often ate the sausage belts driving the bicycle wheels... this required additional vehicle height and length so, GM created the single compressor with additional rear lines.
The Dual AC pumps are why these vans have had different suspensions and no longer sport their long noses.
Only five were ever made, it was believed that none survived this long... until today.
GM no longer uses staples.
Rube Goldberg inspired them, front pump looks similar to power steering pump made from a rusty iron bagpipe and wooden bucket. Located forward of engine cooling fan, riding single spindle and bearing, powered by windmill vanes (or optional small rodent when engine off), the pump howls like a bagpipe and leaks like a sieve however manages to deliver Freon via drinking straws held loosely together with band aids supplying the front evaporator which ran conventionally with blower fan, ducting and directional vents through the dash.
Rear pump being a little more complicated, pulls it's power from rear driveshaft via a bicycle tucked above the rear axle hanging from waistband suspenders stapled to both the muffler and gas tank. Power is applied through the little headlight generator wheel pressed against the driveshaft, turning the front wheel encased in sausage skin which is stretched over the front tire twisted in the center for snug fit then around rear tire so they turn together, which then turns the chain which turns the pedals. The pedals "kick at" if you will, a 20 gallon, jello filled, glove shaped bladder that is located where you find the spare now, each kick pushes the bladder "fingers" bunched and tied together holding an ordinary toilet plunger that extends into the Freon bucket hanging from the driver side rear leaf spring. It was located at the rear spring because it was believed that on bumpy roads the driver sweated more and the pump actually performed better in the bumps due to longer plunger travel. The rear bucket also has straws held loosely together with band aids that supply the rear evaporator which runs conventionally with blower fan, ducting and directional vents. None of the Freon was returned to a condenser it just pumped freely out of vents and ran down floorboards and returned to supply buckets via gutters and downspouts, thus forcing driver and passengers to open the windows, letting cool air into vehicle and viola, it worked!
There was no spare tire back then, if you received a flat tire, you had to remove the rear AC pump drive train aka spare bicycle and ride to your destination. Most people just threw it in the back once removed and relied on the front AC pump only, that is until the wind vanes fell apart and then you were just driving around hot with the bagpipe howl. The original accessory power supply consisting of 1 small rodent, 1/2 lb sunflower seeds, cage, running wheel and water bottle was difficult to buy aftermarket because replacements didn't come on a spindle directly driving the front pump, they wanted the mechanic to work out another bladder system, the rodents didn't supply enough power and often ate the sausage belts driving the bicycle wheels... this required additional vehicle height and length so, GM created the single compressor with additional rear lines.
The Dual AC pumps are why these vans have had different suspensions and no longer sport their long noses.
Only five were ever made, it was believed that none survived this long... until today.
GM no longer uses staples.