'65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

[Patrick H.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

If you search here, Jack Humphrey has posted in the past about how to restore your drier yourself without cutting it apart. It's quite easy.

[Dick W.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

If you search here, Jack Humphrey has posted in the past about how to restore your drier yourself without cutting it apart. It's quite easy.

Problem with that method it does not take into account if the desiccant bag has ruptured or if the system had a catastrophic failure such as a compressor self destructing.

[Larry M.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Problem with that method it does not take into account if the desiccant bag has ruptured or if the system had a catastrophic failure such as a compressor self destructing.

I agree...........

Larry

[James W.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

So I will expand om my dryer rebuild question. I bought the dryer rebuilt from Pace Car Jeff in 2010. I had the system flushed, converted to R134A and the rebuilt dryer installed and charged. The system worked great for a few years, I drove it occasionally but the compressor clutch bearing is going out. I have removed all the accessary belts but the compressor belt and the vibration is still present. So I will be sending the compressor to Dominic T. for a rebuild this fall. So back to dryer. I've not yet opened up the system but when I do I'm curious as to whether I should have the dryer rebuilt again since it will be exposed to the atmosphere and it has been ran with R134. My plan is to convert back to R12. There has not been any damage to the system after the dryer was installed in 2010.

James

[Dick W.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

So I will expand om my dryer rebuild question. I bought the dryer rebuilt from Pace Car Jeff in 2010. I had the system flushed, converted to R134A and the rebuilt dryer installed and charged. The system worked great for a few years, I drove it occasionally but the compressor clutch bearing is going out. I have removed all the accessary belts but the compressor belt and the vibration is still present. So I will be sending the compressor to Dominic T. for a rebuild this fall. So back to dryer. I've not yet opened up the system but when I do I'm curious as to whether I should have the dryer rebuilt again since it will be exposed to the atmosphere and it has been ran with R134. My plan is to convert back to R12. There has not been any damage to the system after the dryer was installed in 2010.

James

..

In your case, I think that Jack's article on self rebuilding would be OK for you. Just keep it sealed as much as you can so it will not absorb any more moisture that it has to. I good system evacuation when you put the system back together should be sufficient.

If you had a catastrophic failure when you originally replaced it, it might be a good idea to clean the screen in the expansion valve. As Elmer Fudd says "be verrwy verrwy" careful when you remove it. The lines normally are somewhat seized and the capillary tube can be a tad fragile.

[Larry M.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

So I will expand om my dryer rebuild question. I bought the dryer rebuilt from Pace Car Jeff in 2010. I had the system flushed, converted to R134A and the rebuilt dryer installed and charged. The system worked great for a few years, I drove it occasionally but the compressor clutch bearing is going out. I have removed all the accessary belts but the compressor belt and the vibration is still present. So I will be sending the compressor to Dominic T. for a rebuild this fall. So back to dryer. I've not yet opened up the system but when I do I'm curious as to whether I should have the dryer rebuilt again since it will be exposed to the atmosphere and it has been ran with R134. My plan is to convert back to R12. There has not been any damage to the system after the dryer was installed in 2010.

James

James:

Your questions should really be asked in a separate thread, since the questions are getting off original topic. I will be happy to answer you there with any additional questions you may have. I am sure the same for others.

If you are changing refrigerants but are keeping the same ESTER oil, I agree you can probably reuse the drier. But if you currently have PAG oil for R134a and are going back to mineral oil for R12, then I would recommend rebuilding the drier during the changeover.

Larry

[Ray K.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Joe,
After much research and AC condenser supplier discussions, I ended up buying a repro from the Original Air Group. Rationale being that when it left their building it will bea functioning part, but for how long it would funtion would be unknown. They only warranty themfor 90 days and part of that will be an evaluation once we get your back, if youhave any issues. No long term guarantees . . . .
As for their replacement new one. It is a brand new direct replacement (w/'65 tube bends & bracketry). According to their technician, it will look exactly like the originalaside from it needing to be painted as they do come unpainted. The costdifference in new over rebuilt is about $30.00+sh. Another benefit of the new one is you will get a 1yr warrantyinstead of the 90day.

As soon as I receive it, I'll post a few pictures for all to see. . . . .
Thanks again and please stay healthy.
Ray K

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Joe,
After much research and AC condenser supplier discussions, I ended up buying a repro from the Original Air Group. Rationale being that when it left their building it will bea functioning part, but for how long it would funtion would be unknown. They only warranty themfor 90 days and part of that will be an evaluation once we get your back, if youhave any issues. No long term guarantees . . . .
As for their replacement new one. It is a brand new direct replacement (w/'65 tube bends & bracketry). According to their technician, it will look exactly like the originalaside from it needing to be painted as they do come unpainted. The costdifference in new over rebuilt is about $30.00+sh. Another benefit of the new one is you will get a 1yr warrantyinstead of the 90day.

As soon as I receive it, I'll post a few pictures for all to see. . . . .
Thanks again and please stay healthy.
Ray K

Ray-------


I think you made the right choice.

[Dick W.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

James:

Your questions should really be asked in a separate thread, since the questions are getting off original topic. I will be happy to answer you there with any additional questions you may have. I am sure the same for others.

If you are changing refrigerants but are keeping the same ESTER oil, I agree you can probably reuse the drier. But if you currently have PAG oil for R134a and are going back to mineral oil for R12, then I would recommend rebuilding the drier during the changeover.

Larry

There is no need to change back to the mineral oil. PAG is compatible with R-12

[James W.]

[Ray K.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

IMG_4153 - 12May20.jpgIMG_4152 - 12May20.jpgIMG_4151 - 12May20.jpgIMG_4150 - 12May20.jpgIMG_4148 - 12May20.jpg

Received my AC condenser from Classic Auto Air (Old Air Products Division) . . . . Thought I'd send along a few jpegs . . . . .

The condenser itself looks pretty close to my original with the exception of the side brackets (correct configuration, except it hadf rivets instead of spot welds) and the fasteners (larger hex head self tapping screws, w/screwdriver slot on heax head and missing j-nuts). I kind of figured that I'd have to use my original bracketry and fasteners.
Ray K (#43777)