Sanden on Explorer 5.0

[PDXBronco]

Hey Lars, is there any way to get that explorer pump to possibly last longer?

[Lars]

Hey Lars, is there any way to get that explorer pump to possibly last longer?

Sure- remove it and set it on your workbench

Seriously, I disassembled mine after they burned up. The innards were galled and seized, despite running a mist oiler on the inlet. Plenty of oil was going through them; the coalescing filter had lots of oil in it when they failed. But for some reason it wasn't getting to the swash plate and button bushings that drive the pistons back and forth. It may be possible to modify the pump to get oil in there. That would likely be easier to figure out on a pump that hadn't welded itself together. Unlike the Visteon pump, the Sanden has an oil fill plug in the center section of the pump. Maybe adding a fill port would be the ticket.

[PDXBronco]

So why do they work for the AC as normal but fail as an air pump? Seems strange but of course I am unfamiliar with the whole deal.

[blwngsket]

The coolant acts as a lubricant and keeps heat down

[Efibroncoman]

Because when you charge an a/c system one of the first steps is to add ester oil to the system, which constantly circulates mixed in with the refrigerant and keeps the compressor lubricated. My guess is that the amount of oil you would have to add to a rotary compressor, wouldn't all come out with the coalescing filter and might cause problems with other stuff you use the OBA for. For instance, you don't want oil inside your tires.

[Fungus232]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

I wouldn't have bothered with this myself if it wasn't for reliability issues with the Visteon pump. In fact the pump you have is more common than what I'm using- my Sanden was part of a dealer-install a/c kit. The cast-in mounts are a pattern that's unique to Fords (don't be fooled; you can find some late Jeeps with a similar-looking Sanden, but the mount spacing is different) so you won't find them elsewhere. I'm already on the lookout for more so I have spares.

Here's a list of the vehicles where said-same Sanden compressor can be found:

FORD, Bronco (Dealer Air), 88-93, SD709
FORD, Bronco II (Dealer Air), 90, SD709
FORD, E Series Van (Dealer Air), 90-93, SD709
FORD, Escort, EXP (Dealer Air), 88-90, SD709
FORD, F Series Pickup F150-F350 (Dealer Air), 90-93, SD709
FORD, Mustang (Dealer Air), 88-93, SD709
FORD, Ranger (Dealer Air), 88-92, SD709
FORD, Tempo (Dealer Air), 88-91, SD709

More to follow...

Reviving and oldy here...

Lars,
Any way to ID a "Dealer-install a/c kit" or do all of the above mentioned vehicles have the dealer air Sanden kit? I pulled a unit off an '88 Tempo a couple weeks ago and looks abit different than your Sanden. It has the same bolt pattern/ pulley spacing and is about 1/2" longer than the visteon. It will bolt up to the Explorer bracket with some spacers but the inlet/ outlets are located mid-point in the compressor and not on the rear. It also has a Ford part # and no "Sanden" labeling on it... If its not a Sanden, any idea what it could be? I'll have to get some pics on here!

Just trying to get my Exploder setup ready to go from the start...

Thanks,
Fungus

[Daddy4zack]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

So is the Sanden 709 a direct bolt in? Lars wrote too much i couldnt read it all right now.

[Lars]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

So is the Sanden 709 a direct bolt in? Lars wrote too much i couldnt read it all right now.

Near bolt-in. And you need the right one. They are pretty scarce, from what I've seen. Mine keeps chugging along, but I'm careful not to run it very much. Drink some coffee and keep reading

[Spaceburger]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

There is an outfit in Vacaville that sells a brand new modified Sandeen just for this application. www.extremeoutback.com
Cost is $414. Expensive but according to George (owner), they modify them for lubrication just for onboard air.
My company bought one of these and one of their Magnum compressors for a research project I am conducting. I haven't got around to testing either of them yet. Will let you know.

[PDXBronco]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

There is an outfit in Vacaville that sells a brand new modified Sandeen just for this application. www.extremeoutback.com
Cost is $414. Expensive but according to George (owner), they modify them for lubrication just for onboard air.
My company bought one of these and one of their Magnum compressors for a research project I am conducting. I haven't got around to testing either of them yet. Will let you know.

You get us a deep group discount and I'd love to have one.

[Daddy4zack]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

mee too.. but $414... ouchhhhh

[CityHick]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

Save yourselves some money guys... modifying a Sanden pump for onboard air is cheap and easy. These guys have a decent writeup on the procedure: http://www.grungle.com/endlessair.html

I have been running my Sanden pump, modified exactly as shown on that page for over 3 years with no problems. I run it on the trail to pressurize my tank for running my lockers, and at the end of the trail for airing up my own tires and usually one or two other rigs tires too.

Sanden pumps are not the fastest in the world but they do work and the mod is extremely simple. I picked up my pump for $30 at Pick your Part, plugged the oil passage as shown, had a custom hose made, picked up a 2.5 gallon tank and miscellaneous fittings, and the whole endeavor set me back maybe $100.

I realize the trick is finding the correct pump... but for $414 I'd scour a few junkyards. I've run mine on both grease and oil and have had it apart for inspection; it looks no worse for wear inside. Cylinder bores are not scored and there's no excess buildup of sludge anywhere.

uh heh heh... he said "cheap and easy", uh heh heh...

[Spaceburger]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

agreed $414 is very high but .. hey...they take American Express. For my test program I needed the pump new, built, and ready to go so I bought the serpantine version Sandeen.
We also bought Warn's new VTC dual piston electric compressor .... way more expensive for what it really is and we went right to taking it completely apart. Valves are unrepairable in the event anything ever happened and the volume tank is extruded aluminum...way over priced.
http://www.4x4review.com/Features/Ne...6/Default.aspx

[Lars]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

Save yourselves some money guys... modifying a Sanden pump for onboard air is cheap and easy. These guys have a decent writeup on the procedure: http://www.grungle.com/endlessair.html

I have been running my Sanden pump, modified exactly as shown on that page for over 3 years with no problems. I run it on the trail to pressurize my tank for running my lockers, and at the end of the trail for airing up my own tires and usually one or two other rigs tires too.

Sanden pumps are not the fastest in the world but they do work and the mod is extremely simple. I picked up my pump for $30 at Pick your Part, plugged the oil passage as shown, had a custom hose made, picked up a 2.5 gallon tank and miscellaneous fittings, and the whole endeavor set me back maybe $100.

I realize the trick is finding the correct pump... but for $414 I'd scour a few junkyards. I've run mine on both grease and oil and have had it apart for inspection; it looks no worse for wear inside. Cylinder bores are not scored and there's no excess buildup of sludge anywhere.

uh heh heh... he said "cheap and easy", uh heh heh...

Thanks for the link, Tony. I've found the compressor I referenced on car-part.com for around $100. Still not cheap, but a lot better than $414. I'm completely happy with my setup. If my Sanden STB (look that three letter acronym up) I'd definitely be looking for another one. Fits nicely on the Exploder setup.

[nvrstuk]

Re: Sanden on Explorer 5.0

I just bolted my Sanden 709 on yesterday with the Exploder serp setup on my 351W.

CityHick, which Sanden pump did you just source out on Car-part for $100 ?

Will the mods you linked work on the pump Lars is talking about?

I use my OBA for everything so I need something that will last a long time. My alum case York has been a real work horse over the last decade plus. I'd like the Sanden to last forever also... am I dreaming?

BTW, the 351W serp/Sanden 709 has a few little quirks compared to a 5.0 bolt on. I'll write something up when I get done... if I ever get done!

Thanks