Abstract: A compressor (10) for a vehicular air conditioning system includes a cylinder block (12) having a bore (14). A piston (78) is slidingly received in the bore (14). A cylinder head (16) is mounted on the cylinder block (12) and includes a suction chamber (20) and a discharge chamber (22). A valve plate (18) is provided between cylinder block (12) and the cylinder head (16). The valve plate (18) includes a suction port (26) and a discharge port (35). A suction valve (28) cooperates with the suction port (26) to permit refrigerant to enter the bore (14) from the suction chamber (20). The suction valve (28) includes a terminating portion (28A) and a flexing portion (28B). A recess (32) is formed in the cylinder block (12) adjacent the flexing portion (28B) of the suction valve (28). The recess (32) provides a linear clamping line (C) on the suction valve (28) between the valve plate (18) and the cylinder block (12).