Ford has been using the York and Tecumseh compressors since the late 50s. All the Ford hang-on/dealer installed, and most of the production installed compressors are York. The cast iron Tecumseh was used mainly in the medium/heavy duty truck, industrial, and some F150-550 applications. Some Tecumseh compressors are found occasionally in various Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury car lines.
I come from an all-Ford family, and over the years, we’ve had many with integral (Factory) AC. In ‘74, my Dad bought a new LTD Brougham with a 400 engine, and it was equipped with a cast iron Tecumseh compressor. Of all the AC-equipped vehicles anyone in the family owned, that was the only one with a Tecumseh compressor.
I believe it was more of a “Bean Counter” issue at the time since they cost a little more than the York units. But now, with mileage and weight savings a modern-day “Issue,” any weight savings with the York compressor would sure help.
Regarding the Boss, the saying “If it could only talk” fits, but you may not want to hear what it has to say. As Hemikiller posted, the plugs at the heater-only hose inlet verify that it was a non-AC car when it left the factory. At 50+ years later, finding one of these that has been driven like they were intended is not so much of a problem as the missing or incorrect items. Unique items such as the rev limiter missing make you wonder if the correct speedometer cable and speed reducer/adapter are still there. All are very hard to find and expensive if you do locate them. A complete VIN verification at all locations, including engine and transmission, would be warranted considering the purchase price plus the bank account draining cost of a full restoration.
Caveat Emptor...Buyer Beware certainly fits here!
