AC condensor replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
AC condensor replacement
I'm starting to convert the AC to R134a. I can't find a "plug-n-play" parallel flow condenser. I tried to find posts about conversions and condensers that might point the way to a condensor....but no luck.
Until read a post that said a Murray AC Condensor 7-3165 was a direct fit replacement and parallel flow! Hallelujah...a major problem solved!! So....last week I went to order it from O'Reilly and asked if it really was a parallel flow and told it was not. Apparently a OEM replacement. Back to square one.
My backup plan is to use a condensor kit from Vintage Air. I think this will work ok but won't look original.
So.. my question to you guys...
Is there a AC condensor that is parallel flow and direct fit for a '71 L48?
Thanks
jim
Until read a post that said a Murray AC Condensor 7-3165 was a direct fit replacement and parallel flow! Hallelujah...a major problem solved!! So....last week I went to order it from O'Reilly and asked if it really was a parallel flow and told it was not. Apparently a OEM replacement. Back to square one.
My backup plan is to use a condensor kit from Vintage Air. I think this will work ok but won't look original.
So.. my question to you guys...
Is there a AC condensor that is parallel flow and direct fit for a '71 L48?
Thanks
jim
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I just put in a inexpensive aftermarket condenser. Attached the factory mounts to it. Had the local automotive air con shop crimp an end on the hose from the compressor, and ran a new line from the condenser to the low pressure switch connector block. (Which I converted to a trienary switch). All of this was about 50 bucks at the air-con shop and the aftermarket condenser was very inexpensive. Painted it black. And where it sits, no one has ever commented that it doesn't look stock. But then most don't notice the Sanden compressor!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
4-vettes, thanks for the reply. Beginning to realize that my only option will be to use a generic condenser and redo hoses. If I go that route, will use the vintage air condenser kit because it has mounts and other stuff I probably need.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,631
Likes: 1,340
Jim71Vette
I suggest getting the biggest condenser you can squish in there. What I did to squish in the largest parallel flow generic condenser that I could --- https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599550754
I suggest getting the biggest condenser you can squish in there. What I did to squish in the largest parallel flow generic condenser that I could --- https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1599550754
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 822
From: WI
Vintage air doesn't have anything?
Pretty much any of the micro-channel condenser are going to be parallel flow ...I bought one for my OBS truck that didn't list Parallel flow, but after contacting the company they sent me a spec sheet which said it was parallel flow.
Pretty much any of the micro-channel condenser are going to be parallel flow ...I bought one for my OBS truck that didn't list Parallel flow, but after contacting the company they sent me a spec sheet which said it was parallel flow.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,624
From: Fairfax Virginia
If you can't find one I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. I have a 1988 C4 that came with the original style R-12 air conditioning system and I converted it to R-134 myself using the original condenser. Even with the original condenser the system blows very cold air. I bought a conversion kit which had the new ends and o-rings.
You might get slightly better performance with a Cross Flow Condenser but it does work with the R-12 condenser.
I used a 2 stage Vacuum pump from Harbor Freight ($79) to pull the vacuum. I flushed the old oil out and added the new oil, o-rings and a drier, then I pulled a vacuum and let it sit for a few days to verify that the system was in fact sealed. Back when TRAK Auto went out of business I was able to score a great deal on the R-134 for about $1 a can so I have a few cases out in my garage waiting to be used. Overall it was a fairly easy and inexpensive retrofit to switch it over to the R-134.
I am sure that using the correct parts would be optimum but the original parts will work. Good luck and may your air be cool!
You might get slightly better performance with a Cross Flow Condenser but it does work with the R-12 condenser.
I used a 2 stage Vacuum pump from Harbor Freight ($79) to pull the vacuum. I flushed the old oil out and added the new oil, o-rings and a drier, then I pulled a vacuum and let it sit for a few days to verify that the system was in fact sealed. Back when TRAK Auto went out of business I was able to score a great deal on the R-134 for about $1 a can so I have a few cases out in my garage waiting to be used. Overall it was a fairly easy and inexpensive retrofit to switch it over to the R-134.
I am sure that using the correct parts would be optimum but the original parts will work. Good luck and may your air be cool!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
Thanks to all who replied.
It looks like my best option will be to use Vintage Air's condenser kit. The fittings will be different but I was going to redo the lines anyway.
Still would like to find a "plug-n-play" parallel flow condenser.
It looks like my best option will be to use Vintage Air's condenser kit. The fittings will be different but I was going to redo the lines anyway.
Still would like to find a "plug-n-play" parallel flow condenser.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 822
From: WI
Besides the condenser, there are very good videos and sights (and forum posts) on the other details and 'correct' way to convert to 134a, that go well beyond o-rings/oil & condenser. I suspect you're already on top of those or looking into them. Or use the search feature here. I would consider a new R4 compressor (for 134a)/hoses/accumulator etc.
I'm thinking back to one of the early 134a conversions I had done where we kept the condenser & compressor ...and it lasted about a week! LOL.
I'm thinking back to one of the early 134a conversions I had done where we kept the condenser & compressor ...and it lasted about a week! LOL.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,631
Likes: 1,340
I would try using the original condenser.. If your condenser is in good shape I would try using it. I've converted multiple vehicles and one of the coldest is my Nissan pickup with the old original R-12 condenser.
I've done it the "right way" with changing everything but hoses--- to not changing anything but installing R-134a fittings. The one consistent thing I've done is do a really good evacuation. Every vehicle I have done has cooled down to at least 43°F.
R-134a is relatively cheap so I'd be willing to try it with the original condenser.
I've done it the "right way" with changing everything but hoses--- to not changing anything but installing R-134a fittings. The one consistent thing I've done is do a really good evacuation. Every vehicle I have done has cooled down to at least 43°F.
R-134a is relatively cheap so I'd be willing to try it with the original condenser.
If you can't find one I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. I have a 1988 C4 that came with the original style R-12 air conditioning system and I converted it to R-134 myself using the original condenser. Even with the original condenser the system blows very cold air. I bought a conversion kit which had the new ends and o-rings.
You might get slightly better performance with a Cross Flow Condenser but it does work with the R-12 condenser.
I used a 2 stage Vacuum pump from Harbor Freight ($79) to pull the vacuum. I flushed the old oil out and added the new oil, o-rings and a drier, then I pulled a vacuum and let it sit for a few days to verify that the system was in fact sealed. Back when TRAK Auto went out of business I was able to score a great deal on the R-134 for about $1 a can so I have a few cases out in my garage waiting to be used. Overall it was a fairly easy and inexpensive retrofit to switch it over to the R-134.
I am sure that using the correct parts would be optimum but the original parts will work. Good luck and may your air be cool!
You might get slightly better performance with a Cross Flow Condenser but it does work with the R-12 condenser.
I used a 2 stage Vacuum pump from Harbor Freight ($79) to pull the vacuum. I flushed the old oil out and added the new oil, o-rings and a drier, then I pulled a vacuum and let it sit for a few days to verify that the system was in fact sealed. Back when TRAK Auto went out of business I was able to score a great deal on the R-134 for about $1 a can so I have a few cases out in my garage waiting to be used. Overall it was a fairly easy and inexpensive retrofit to switch it over to the R-134.
I am sure that using the correct parts would be optimum but the original parts will work. Good luck and may your air be cool!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 923
Likes: 154
From: North Port, FL
I got this off flea bay
CNFP1624KT Kit AC A/C Universal Condenser. Parallel Flow 16 x 24 with Drier. Company called accollisionparts.
Works and fit great on my 72 and cost $79. Had a local AC guy make up some custom hoses. I dont remember how much
but it all fit perfect.
CNFP1624KT Kit AC A/C Universal Condenser. Parallel Flow 16 x 24 with Drier. Company called accollisionparts.
Works and fit great on my 72 and cost $79. Had a local AC guy make up some custom hoses. I dont remember how much
but it all fit perfect.