A/C expansion valve hose

[D S.]

Were the A/C expansion valve hoses the same from 1969 through 1972? Today I discovered that the hose from the expansion valve that routes toward the drier/condenser and connects to an aluminum pipe near the radiator on my 1970 is not crimped on either end. It has Hy-Gear clamps which I know isn't correct. I would like to find a nice original before having to buy a reproduction.

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Terry M.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

1968 used clamps and early 1969 may have also. I can see what the C60 section of the 1969 AIM says when I get home if no one posts about it in the mean time. I am not sure about the configuration of SERVICE replacement. Those might have been clamped to allow more flexibility in a variety of applications.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

Scott,
My early '69 has the same clamps at both ends of that hose but the AIM shows a crimped hose and does not show an engineering change in the revision record.
Jeff

[Thad L.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

Thats on the High side, I wouldn't trust a 40 year old hose! Ask me why! Ka boom and wash refrig oil off the fresh engine compartment. It's a true story, had to get Pirkle to re ink stamp my freshly restored alt....

Thad

[D S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

Thats on the High side, I wouldn't trust a 40 year old hose! Ask me why! Ka boom and wash refrig oil off the fresh engine compartment. It's a true story, had to get Pirkle to re ink stamp my freshly restored alt....

Thad

Thad,
Who sells one that is close in appearance to originals? I agree that the older hoses are not as sturdy and I sure don't want R-12 blown all over my engine and hood underside.

[D S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

1968 used clamps and early 1969 may have also. I can see what the C60 section of the 1969 AIM says when I get home if no one posts about it in the mean time. I am not sure about the configuration of SERVICE replacement. Those might have been clamped to allow more flexibility in a variety of applications.

Terry,
The 1970 AIM and schematic in the JG shows crimped but yours and Jeffrey Salz's replies makes me second guess the clamps being correct. That hose certainly looks like it is 40 years old.
The 1970-1972 JG states that all AC hoses were crimped aluminum.

[Thad L.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

I knew i was gunna take a little hit so i bought repos from Ecklers. I once owned a mid to late 69 350-350 with c60 and several 70's with c60 and all had crimped hoses no worm clamps!

[Kenn S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

While my car ('70) had many parts removed over the years, it didn't have too many replaced. So I believe my A/C hoses to be original. If so, they're crimped. (Oh, Lord, please let the compressor be original...)

Corvette Central has a good concept with this hose, if this is the one you mean. The POA valve can be relocated (will require crimping):

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000050g~Z5Z5Z518633~P224.95~~~~S3B213BPX018419999214a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000050G

That's if you can't find a viable original. Nice to have options, anyway.

[D S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

I knew i was gunna take a little hit so i bought repos from Ecklers. I once owned a mid to late 69 350-350 with c60 and several 70's with c60 and all had crimped hoses no worm clamps!

I saw a reference to big block expansion hose and small block expansion hose. There's a difference? Anyway, that is the direction I plan on going is to purchase a new expansion hose to replace that incorrect one. I have a restored correct drier I need to install anyway. Thanks!

[D S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

Thats on the High side, I wouldn't trust a 40 year old hose! Ask me why! Ka boom and wash refrig oil off the fresh engine compartment. It's a true story, had to get Pirkle to re ink stamp my freshly restored alt....

Thad

Thad, since I know you own a super nice 1970 LS-5 with C60 do you know if there is a difference between the small block expansion hose and big block? The price for new ones are the same and outwardly they appear the same so is the ID of the hose larger for big blocks?

[Monte M.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

I was not able to post the pictures to a PM, and I do not have your private e-mail, so I posted them here. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but it took quite a while to find them.
Actually, this is not the set I was telling you about, but the valves are the same thing. I have not cleaned up the POA valve (long one with red caps in the ends) so I do not know the exact date on it. I know for sure it is a 72 though. The other set is all cleaned up and it is very easy to see the date.
To tell the truth, the original expansion valve is the one that is very hard to find. The small tube to the sensor is about one-third the length of after market ones. A lot of people do not know how fragile they are when they try to remove them.
You can PM me and we can take it from there.
Thanks for waiting.
Monte

[D S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

I was not able to post the pictures to a PM, and I do not have your private e-mail, so I posted them here. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but it took quite a while to find them.
Actually, this is not the set I was telling you about, but the valves are the same thing. I have not cleaned up the POA valve (long one with red caps in the ends) so I do not know the exact date on it. I know for sure it is a 72 though. The other set is all cleaned up and it is very easy to see the date.
To tell the truth, the expansion valve is the one tht is very hard to find. The small tube to the sensor is about one-third the length of after market ones. A lot of people donot know how fragile they are when they try to remove them.
You can PM me and we can take it from there.
Thanks for waiting.
Monte

Monte, I left you my email address in one of the PM posts and if you click on my name you can send an email that way but to speed things along it is
ss396t6@sbcglobal.net

[Monte M.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

I attempted to remove a few pictures and put better ones up. It let me remove them,but it did not let me replace them. The other set is a 70or 71 set-up.
So, here they are
I am in the process of being able to take an original hose that is too old to use and take the original ends and put them on a new hose. We have onemore small hurdle to jump and we will be rolling.

[Patrick H.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

I attempted to remove a few pictures and put better ones up. It let me remove them,but it did not let me replace them. The other set is a 70or 71 set-up.
So, here they are
I am in the process of being able to take an original hose that is too old to use and take the original ends and put them on a new hose. We have onemore small hurdle to jump and we will be rolling.

The manifold fitting, if not the hose assembly itself, that shows in your 3rd photo is a replacement piece. The fitting should be rectangular, not with two circular attachments.
The manifold fitting is the piece in the upper left corner with the muffler attached.

[D S.]

Re: A/C expansion valve hose

The manifold fitting, if not the hose assembly itself, that shows in your 3rd photo is a replacement piece. The fitting should be rectangular, not with two circular attachments.
The manifold fitting is the piece in the upper left corner with the muffler attached.

Patrick, I saw that so that manifold part won't do me any good. Besides....I already have the rectangular manifold. I was wanting an original expansion hose to see if I can find someone who can duplicate the crimping on a new hose. Otherwise it's reproduction. Do any of you know what words, if any, were on the AC hoses? Goodyear?