Take a look at the rods in a V2 or RV2 compressor...then a 5 horse Briggs & Stratton...and then think about that compressor cycling in and out at 5k, I get their concern.
I always thought the GM compressor was a little tougher, and for some reason I think availability of a/c was better?

The police units cut the compressor out at full throttle, seems like something could have been done, but as posted above, a/c 4spd sales were a small pct of totals.