'72 POA valve installation

[Tom L.]

I just sent my POA valve out to Classic auto air to be rebuilt. When I removed it the evaporator housing was out of the car so room wasn't an issue. In preparing to re-install the valve with the housing in the car I see that there is no room for a 1 1/16" wrench to tighten the upper nut and I'm sure it's the same issue for the lower one. Any one have any hints or tool suggestions for this task? Thanks!!

[Larry M.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

I just sent my POA valve out to Classic auto air to be rebuilt. When I removed it the evaporator housing was out of the car so room wasn't an issue. In preparing to re-install the valve with the housing in the car I see that there is no room for a 1 1/16" wrench to tighten the upper nut and I'm sure it's the same issue for the lower one. Any one have any hints or tool suggestions for this task? Thanks!!

Custom made wrench………………..no kidding.

The good news is that these connections have o-ring sealing, so the torque is very low on the nut. Make sure the threads and o-rings are lubed up good with refrigerant oil. Hand tighten, and then use your custom wrench to snug them up to spec. I think it's around 20 ft-lb.

Larry

EDIT: If you think you may have to remove in a few years for some reason, you might add a bit of anti-seize ON THE CONNECTION THREADS. The POA valve connections seem to gall up over time, and make removal difficult when everything else is in place.

[Jim T.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Did you clean the screen or replace the screen in the expansion valve?

[Tom L.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Hmmm, the screen is missing. The evaporator has been open for years. All the tubing and hoses are as well. Guess the screen fell out. Where can I get one??

[Larry M.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Hmmm, the screen is missing. The evaporator has been open for years. All the tubing and hoses are as well. Guess the screen fell out. Where can I get one??

AC Delco #15-512, GM #5914631, NAPA #TEM 207342.

Both GM, NAPA, and any place that handles AD DELCO parts should be able to get. About $5. I would buy 2.

Larry

[Tom L.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Thanks for the info. Going back to the custom wrench for the POA valve, which was my forst thought. Has anyone has success with a crows foor socket? A friend suggested that.

[Bill C.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Tom,

If you take the egg crate grill out, you can get at the lower nut. I used a small pair of vise grips with tape wrapped around each half to not scratch the plating on the POA valve nut (it is gold irradiate if I remember correctly)
the upper one is lots easier with the expansion tank removed.

bill

[Monte M.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Tom,
I bought a cheap wrench and cut it in half.
Did the trick just fine as these do not need much torque on them.
Monte

[Tom L.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Bill, thanks for the tip on removing the egg crate, didn't think of that

Monte, "Making" a tool as you describe was always my forst thought.

Anything else?? Thanks!!!

[Tom L.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

I've been searching for the TXV screen and have used all of the part numbers at several auto parts stores as well as the internet but the numbers Larry provided don't seem to be valid anymore. Anyone know where I can get one?? Even a link to a vendor would be great. Thanks!!

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

I've been searching for the TXV screen and have used all of the part numbers at several auto parts stores as well as the internet but the numbers Larry provided don't seem to be valid anymore. Anyone know where I can get one?? Even a link to a vendor would be great. Thanks!!

I find it here:

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-15-512-Filter-Screen/dp/B000C9C7X2

Here:

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-38990-Expansion-Valve/dp/B001B6XNBK

Here:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NOS-New-Delco-OEM-Corvette-Air-Conditioning-Screen-15-512-GM-5914631-/261280628341

Here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-Air-Conditioning-Screen-5914631-OEM-15-512-Original-in-box-/271225812359?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f26517587&vxp=mtr

and here:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Result.aspx?Ntt%3d207366%26Ntk%3dKeyword%26Nty%3d1%26Dn%3d0%26D%3d207366%26Dk%3d1%26Dp%3d3%26N%3d0

as well as many other places.

You have to get working on your Google-foo, Tom.

[Larry M.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Currently 3 different listings on Ebay, also a few gm parts outlets on the internet still show in stock. http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm...n-5914631.html Also http://www.gmpartseast.com/parts/gm-5914631_screen.html Prices vary from about $3 to $20 for the same/similar item….so shop for the best price w/shipping. If all else fails, let me know and I will put one in the mail. I think I still have a few extras someplace in the garage

Larry

EDIT: Not all of the links provided by Pat are correct for the AC 15-512 or GM 5914631 item that you need. The Ebay ones are fine, and you can see the pictures. It appears NAPA no longer carries the correct TEM 207342 for your/our application. The ones I have were purchased from NAPA about 5-6 years ago are are the correct shape and size for our Corvettes.

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

EDIT: Not all of the links provided by Pat are correct for the AC 15-512 or GM 5914631 item that you need. The Ebay ones are fine, and you can see the pictures. It appears NAPA no longer carries the correct TEM 207342 for your/our application. The ones I have were purchased from NAPA about 5-6 years ago are are the correct shape and size for our Corvettes.

Larry,

Some of the links are cross-referenced from the AC-Delco catalog:

http://www.acdelco.com/pdf/appcat_buyers/competitive_cross_reference.pdf

[Larry M.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

Larry,

Some of the links are cross-referenced from the AC-Delco catalog:
http://www.acdelco.com/pdf/appcat_bu..._reference.pdf

Pat:

The two issues I saw in your list were the Four Seasons screen and the NAPA screen. The Four Seasons screen may be okay, but the picture is not correct. I see that it cross references the AC 15-512…..so the part may work, but it will not be as pictured. The NAPA screen indicates a different part number than the one I listed and previously used to purchase. The picture is also not correct……….although that again may not mean anything. However, with a different part number, I would advise Tom to be careful before buying from NAPA. NAPA indicates the TEM 207342 number I listed is no longer available.

The correct screen is shown in your Ebay links/references. It has a small rubber seal on the open end, and has a small taper to the screen.

I think together we provided Tom more than a few sources for the elusive TXV expansion valve screen. But the handwriting is on the wall…………these parts are going out of stock/production quickly. A few years ago, just about everyone had a box full. Now, one has to search for it.

Larry

[Tom L.]

Re: '72 POA valve installation

You guys are a huge help but it hasn't gotten easier. I stopped by Napa again and the second number is good. The catch is that you have to buy a box of 10. I'll keep looking, thanks!!