Air conditioning help
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
You may get some info from my webpage. I did the page back when I overhauled my system a few years ago:
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/zwed.../ac/acmain.htm
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/zwed.../ac/acmain.htm
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: Van Wert Ohio
Dan.........thanks for the detailed explanation of C3 A/C. I still have a couple questions. Is the 3/8" hard line from the condensor to the accumulator going to be OK with my Sanden 508? They say 3/8" hose but I would think the hard tubing would be OK. How about the the switches? Keep the same ones?
I'm looking at the Advanced Auto web page and found a P/N 33205 accummulator.....OK? Also what about the P/N 38902 auto adjust orfice tube?
Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to screw this up. Sorry no link to Advance.
Vett79
I'm looking at the Advanced Auto web page and found a P/N 33205 accummulator.....OK? Also what about the P/N 38902 auto adjust orfice tube?
Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to screw this up. Sorry no link to Advance.
Vett79
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Do as Dan has sugested and everything should be fine, Zwede has some very good info on his web site to. Do as these guys say and you will have cold air before you know it.
Neal
Neal
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: TAMPA FL
Well its that time of year everyones trying to get the a/c going, including myself. Started the ac project this weekend. My car is a 73 with that great VIR system. So when I had the dash and firewall apart I replaced the evaporater core with a 81 model core and put in a new condensor. That was two year ago. I'm just now getting to the rest. Friday I picked up my compressor, bracket, and hose kit. I orderd a new 81 model accumulator from the chev dealer, it came in today.
Classic Auto Air in Tampa has most of the stuff cost was
220.00 for polished 508 Sanden
109.00 for brackets
109.00 for hose kit
I did mount the compressor and get a belt to fit, everything lined up great. It will be a couple of weeks before I get to finish this because on my way home friday with all my new ac stuff I wiped a cam lobe. So now were doing a roller cam.
Classic Auto Air in Tampa has most of the stuff cost was
220.00 for polished 508 Sanden
109.00 for brackets
109.00 for hose kit
I did mount the compressor and get a belt to fit, everything lined up great. It will be a couple of weeks before I get to finish this because on my way home friday with all my new ac stuff I wiped a cam lobe. So now were doing a roller cam.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Which system was used in early 77?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by zwede
I think they had gone to CCOT (Cycling clutch Orifice Tube) by then. It's easy to tell. When the AC is on, will the compressor run for a while and then shut off, then back on etc? If so it's CCOT. If the compressor is always on it's TXV.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by vett79
Dan.........thanks for the detailed explanation of C3 A/C. I still have a couple questions. Is the 3/8" hard line from the condensor to the accumulator going to be OK with my Sanden 508? They say 3/8" hose but I would think the hard tubing would be OK. How about the the switches? Keep the same ones?
I'm looking at the Advanced Auto web page and found a P/N 33205 accummulator.....OK? Also what about the P/N 38902 auto adjust orfice tube?
Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to screw this up. Sorry no link to Advance.
Vett79
I'm looking at the Advanced Auto web page and found a P/N 33205 accummulator.....OK? Also what about the P/N 38902 auto adjust orfice tube?
Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to screw this up. Sorry no link to Advance.
Vett79
Dan
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Ok,
I did a little research and Zwede was infact correct. You do have a TXV style system which means you do not utilize an orfice tube, or a VOV. You don't need a VOV. What you can do is follow the steps I outlined for you in my original post. It might be a good idea to buy a POA.. yes they make a different one for 134A which you will need. After you setup your system with all the new components, .....
O-Rings, receiver-dryer, POA, PAG OIL, and everything else I listed, then you can either replace your Expansion device, which I found was only $31 from AcKits.com, or you can fill the system, try it out, and then replace it if you have a problem. Its up to you. Good luck with your conversion,.... Keep Us Posted!
Dan
I did a little research and Zwede was infact correct. You do have a TXV style system which means you do not utilize an orfice tube, or a VOV. You don't need a VOV. What you can do is follow the steps I outlined for you in my original post. It might be a good idea to buy a POA.. yes they make a different one for 134A which you will need. After you setup your system with all the new components, .....
O-Rings, receiver-dryer, POA, PAG OIL, and everything else I listed, then you can either replace your Expansion device, which I found was only $31 from AcKits.com, or you can fill the system, try it out, and then replace it if you have a problem. Its up to you. Good luck with your conversion,.... Keep Us Posted!
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
Message Hot rod air sent me.
Thank you for your interest in Hot Rod Air's quality climate control and
engine cooling products.
In regard to your 74 Corvette we would recommend replacing the accumulator,
orifice tube, compressor, compressor bracket, and hoses to the compressor.
You should be able to pick up a new accumulator and orifice tube at your
local parts store and we can supply you with the Sanden 508 compressor and
the bracket to mount it to the motor. For your hoses we can send you the
fittings and bulk hose once we determine the length of the hoses and then
you will need to get them crimped at a local a/c shop or Napa auto parts.
Part # 13-4509 Sanden 508 Compressor $189.00
Bracket $85.00 (small block or big block)
Hose Kit $80.00
A/c experts does this sound reasonable to change my system over to 134 and a new compressor? I think the 1974 is a VIR system, so is the Vir the accumulator and is the orifice tube in that system.?
engine cooling products.
In regard to your 74 Corvette we would recommend replacing the accumulator,
orifice tube, compressor, compressor bracket, and hoses to the compressor.
You should be able to pick up a new accumulator and orifice tube at your
local parts store and we can supply you with the Sanden 508 compressor and
the bracket to mount it to the motor. For your hoses we can send you the
fittings and bulk hose once we determine the length of the hoses and then
you will need to get them crimped at a local a/c shop or Napa auto parts.
Part # 13-4509 Sanden 508 Compressor $189.00
Bracket $85.00 (small block or big block)
Hose Kit $80.00
A/c experts does this sound reasonable to change my system over to 134 and a new compressor? I think the 1974 is a VIR system, so is the Vir the accumulator and is the orifice tube in that system.?
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
Where is the orifice valve located?
Hello all,
this has been a great thread for me, as I am replacing my accumulator to make the ac in my 75 vette work. Where do I locate the orifice valve? Is it imperative to replace it with a VOV valve? Also, is there another way to input the PAG oil without using an oil gun apparatus? Is there a way to just pour it in?
Thanks alot,
Jeff J
this has been a great thread for me, as I am replacing my accumulator to make the ac in my 75 vette work. Where do I locate the orifice valve? Is it imperative to replace it with a VOV valve? Also, is there another way to input the PAG oil without using an oil gun apparatus? Is there a way to just pour it in?
Thanks alot,
Jeff J
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Originally Posted by tigers123
Part # 13-4509 Sanden 508 Compressor $189.00
Bracket $85.00 (small block or big block)
Hose Kit $80.00
Bracket $85.00 (small block or big block)
Hose Kit $80.00
One important factor is that due to the properties of 134, a parallel flow condenser really helps, so if you can't get cool enough vent temps, keep that in mind. A elec pusher fan added for the condenser helps the a/c a substantially.
The Sanden is probably the best compressor currently out there, but don't dismiss the old axial6, it's a close 2nd.
Also the molecules of 134a are much smaller than r12 so the newer "barrier type" hoses should be used rather than the originals. It can be crimped to old fittings.
Even though vov valves are not that common now, within the next few years almost all new cars will come with them according to the auto a/c industry. I use them and they can give you as much as 8 deg cooler vent temps at idle.
Just make sure all parts are flushed before assembly, laquer thinner will do in a pinch.
