63 A/C Freon Hose Length

[Harry S.]

I'm finally getting around installing the factory A/C system in my 63. I just realized I misplaced the measurements I took on the three Freon hoses.

Anyone have the factory lengths for the hoses? The set I have is way too long, I don't want to cut them too short.

Thanks

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 A/C Freon Hose Length

From what I can find in the archives and from other research.

On a 63:

The 13/32 hose is 32 inches long

The 1/2 hose is 28 inches long

The 5/8 hose is ??? ---> on a 65 it's about 21 inches long but the muffler is a bit different.

Saying that, can anyone with a 63 or 64 with C60 measure the 5/8 inch hose from the STV to the Compressor Muffler.

Thanks

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 A/C Freon Hose Length

Well I bit the bullet. After 7 hours on the car today I installed the STV, expansion valve, all the tubes, all the hoses and all the clamps. Tomorrow I'll finish the large tube at the back of the STV and install the dryer. I used lots of green O-rings, R12 oil and sweat. The compressor was resting on the compressor bracket before I started.

Vacuum test next week.

Cheers.

[Larry M.]

Re: 63 A/C Freon Hose Length

Harry:

I always advise folks to first install cheap replacement drier until all the leaks are found and corrected. Then switch over to the $$$$ original one. These driers are only good for about 1 teaspoon of water over their lifespan. Most folks have leaks and the system is opened and closed up quite a bit in this process of fixing them.

Pulling a vacuum is good, but you really want to pressure test the system with either dry nitrogen or perhaps some R134a refrigerant (cheap) to get it up to about 60 pig and then check for leaks with a liquid leak detector solution and (if possible) an electronic leak sniffer.

Once everything is completely leak free, then change to the $$$$ drier, pull a vacuum, suck up any additional oil that is needed,then pull a deep vacuum for a few hours (or overnight) with a 60 watt light bulb underneath the compressor to heat it up a bit and help drive out any moisture..

THEN, if all is okay, break vacuum with the refrigerant of your choice. Just be careful when you do this to avoid getting air back in the system. Many folks say they are careful, but they still find a way to let air back in, and the drier sight glass will always have bubbles.....and system pressures will not be optimum.

Larry