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Hello all, I need to get my A/C system working on my 78. It has a broken hose at this point so the system is open. I plan to replace the compressor, hose and drier. Can anyone reccommend where to get these parts. I see that ecklers has a 134 conversion kit with all the needed parts (I think?) for 270.00.
And the big question is how in the world do you change that drier? It looks extremely difficult to get at.
go to any parts store and buy a stubby ratching wrench works fine.also any parts store sells the parts for the a/c but look for a dealer like cold air distributors better prices.
Be sure to replace the orfice tube as well. NAPA and CarQuest make hoses, as well as the catalogs. I would get the dryer from GM. I would leave it R12, but that's me.
Hello all, I need to get my A/C system working on my 78. It has a broken hose at this point so the system is open. I plan to replace the compressor, hose and drier. Can anyone reccommend where to get these parts. I see that ecklers has a 134 conversion kit with all the needed parts (I think?) for 270.00.
And the big question is how in the world do you change that drier? It looks extremely difficult to get at.
The dryer is a real pain, my 76 had a cover directly below the dryer that I removed to gain some access. I did not convert my system but I did buy conversion compatible components. Willcox knew the right hose configuration I needed whereas "other" Corvette distributors did not. Wrong shape and hose diameter offered by "others".
(see level of service from Willcox email reply below)
"If you order the hose you have in the picture, you will be in trouble again.
GM p/n 12529017 is what is in the picture and the diameter of the hose is to small. When you install this it will pinch off the hose trying to make the bend.
What you need is our p/n 15-30559r hose. This hose is basically the original hose as the 12529017. Our long number for this hose is 12509017R Which indicates to us that the hose size is of the larger original style that won't pinch off when you install it on the car. The price of this hose is 100.00! It would be correct in fit and the hose size.
LOL
I tend to agree with you, but,
A lot of people worry about getting the hose kinked.
Don't worry, static you'll have minimum of about 100psi in there and depending on the day it could be as high as 375psi and operating at 225psi all the time. Try that in one of your tires. There won't be any kinks in the hose.
Be sure to replace the orfice tube as well. NAPA and CarQuest make hoses, as well as the catalogs. I would get the dryer from GM. I would leave it R12, but that's me.
LOL
I tend to agree with you, but,
A lot of people worry about getting the hose kinked.
Don't worry, static you'll have minimum of about 100psi in there and depending on the day it could be as high as 375psi and operating at 225psi all the time. Try that in one of your tires. There won't be any kinks in the hose.
Yep. My hose was kinked. By the time I drove home from the A/C place, it was kinked no more. Has never been since.