Dealer installed A/C or Factory installed A/C ?

[sandspringsfestiva]

Hello Everyone.

I have received so much help from this group giving me advice on maintaining and improving my 88 Festiva. The advice has been great so I'm back again needing some more veterans knowledge.

My 1988 Festiva L came with the A/C from the factory. I am wanting to repair the A/C and get it working again. I searched on www.rockauto.com for a replacement compressor. I found two Motorcraft replacement compressors in their catalog. One is for a dealer installer A/C system and the second is for factory installed A/C system. Both have part numbers which I thought would match up with the old worn out one which I have already removed. No luck.

Has anyone ever had this confusion over which replacement compressor is the right one?

What is the difference between the two compressors?

Is it how they mount to the engine or the connectors for the lines?

Thanks again guys?

[walth]

I clicked the info buttons on the dealer air and then info on factory air. they look completely different. so I'd start by comparing whatever you have vs what's online in the info buttons on rockauto.

but good job with your research. got a pic of your compressor?

[eurotiva]

Dealer installed has bolts going THRU the compressor. Factory has them just going slightly into the compressor from the front and back.

[71Montego]

Are you sure its the compressor or just changing it 1st?