cgsheen1

We found a fairly unmolested part (back side of a idler piece) that was a pretty good representation of the original block & block parts color (idlers, brackets, and etc.) and took it to a local paint shop to have them match color and make us a formula for future use. I thought they'd give us the formula itself, but no... We can just go back in at any time and ask for this color and they'll mix it up. Still, it turned out pretty darn close and we ended up with plenty of block paint for the shop. (the picture above is not that great - too much sun - washed it out a little)

The clutch is on the front of the compressor. Where the v-belt and it's pulley are... The clutch is electrically operated - one wire - usually blue on z-cars. The ports you're referring to are the high and low pressure refrigerant ports (and have little-to-nothing to do with the clutch).

I think everybody has a 4-speed... I have two...

Yup... Same dash, same controls. My son has a '76 with factory A/C. I have an early (07/74) 260 with stock factory A/C. There's virtually no difference (only how the tubing on the high pressure side is placed along the passenger side of the engine bay...). I could swap mine to his and his to mine. Although his was running R12 until the end of last summer, we've converted both to R134a.