VIR question
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 82
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From: Corona Ca
VIR question
I'm sure someone can help me with this one. I have an early 77 with the A4 compressor and VIR. One of my hoses to the compressor is broken. I have access to a new set of hoses and receiver drier from a 78. If I'm thinking about this correctly. Couldn't I remove my VIR and join the liquid line from the condenser to the evaporator with an orfice tube? And use the 78 hose and drier. Or am I missing something?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
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From: Rotonda FL
An orifice system and vir (valve in receiver) system are constructed differently from each other and are not compatible. Also, I doubt that the stock hose/manifold assembly from a 78 (with an R4 compressor) will be backward compatible with an A-6 compressor.
If all you need is new hoses, buy them. R12 refrigerant is neither common or inexpensive and not to be wasted on an experiment.
If all you need is new hoses, buy them. R12 refrigerant is neither common or inexpensive and not to be wasted on an experiment.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
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From: Catoosa Okla
I too had a VIR system on my 74. What your talking about is removing the troublesome VIR (Valves In Receiver) and convert it to a fixed metering device with an accumulator. The kit comes with everything you need to convert it over. Cost about 100 bucks for the conversion kit. Good luck!
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 82
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From: Corona Ca
I guess where I should be more clear on where I'm going with this question. From what I can tell the only difference between an early and late 77 as far as I can tell is the evaporator and receiver drier instead of VIR and of course they changed the hoses. So if since I have access to all the other parts would it be sensible to change it to late 77 and up? Looking at pictures of the two evaporator's the only difference is the orfice tube on the later system. So my question was has any one ever tried to just install an orfice tube on the early 77 evaporator ? That seems to be all the VIR eliminator on a 77 would be doing. 76 and earlier would be a different animal completely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
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From: McHenry Illinois
Your early 77 will have a small oil line from the evaporator to the vir, that line will have to be plugged off. If you can get the evaporator from the 78 also, it would be an easy swap.
Last edited by '75; Jul 20, 2014 at 02:07 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
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From: Catoosa Okla
After this "end all" solution from the experts at Nostalgic, I went with a different VIR Elimination Kit from another manufacturer. Low and behold the Accumulator fit perfectly, and allowed proper connection of the metering block! If the inlet and outlet ports aren't configured properly on the accumulator, it ends up placing the metering block smack dab in the middle of the accumulator. This is how the kit I received from Nostalgic fit. Feel free to address this concern with them. When I get home this evening, I will take and post pictures of what I'm talking about, as I haven't sent the Nostalgic kit back yet. I'll show you pictures of the Nostalgic accumulator and the correct one for a C3 conversion.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Corona Ca
I probably should have chimed in on this. I too orderd the VIR Elimination Kit from Nostalgic Air as well, however, the inlet and outlet of the Accumulator were positioned to where once it was connected to the evaporator, it wouldn't allow connection of the included metering block/oil line block. I went round and round with them, and even included photos showing this discrepancy. Even then, they assured me it would fit.
After this "end all" solution from the experts at Nostalgic, I went with a different VIR Elimination Kit from another manufacturer. Low and behold the Accumulator fit perfectly, and allowed proper connection of the metering block! If the inlet and outlet ports aren't configured properly on the accumulator, it ends up placing the metering block smack dab in the middle of the accumulator. This is how the kit I received from Nostalgic fit. Feel free to address this concern with them. When I get home this evening, I will take and post pictures of what I'm talking about, as I haven't sent the Nostalgic kit back yet. I'll show you pictures of the Nostalgic accumulator and the correct one for a C3 conversion.
After this "end all" solution from the experts at Nostalgic, I went with a different VIR Elimination Kit from another manufacturer. Low and behold the Accumulator fit perfectly, and allowed proper connection of the metering block! If the inlet and outlet ports aren't configured properly on the accumulator, it ends up placing the metering block smack dab in the middle of the accumulator. This is how the kit I received from Nostalgic fit. Feel free to address this concern with them. When I get home this evening, I will take and post pictures of what I'm talking about, as I haven't sent the Nostalgic kit back yet. I'll show you pictures of the Nostalgic accumulator and the correct one for a C3 conversion.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
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From: Catoosa Okla
Pictures would be great when I looked at it online I thought that could be an issue but went with it anyways because it appears to use the same drier as the 77L and up. I figured it may take a little modifying to make it work. I will post what I come up with thanks for your help.
Here is a photo of the kit I received from Classic Auto Air. After the nightmare with the first conversion kit, I wanted to make CERTAIN we were both on the same page before ordering. Not only were we, he knew EXACTLY why the kit I received from Vintage wouldn't work, and further explained the C3 VIR kit has a unique to C3 conversion accumulator. Note the different location of both evaporator inlet as well as the outlet on the accumulator. This allows the the metering block to properly connect, as well as the oil return line. (which internally I believe is simply blocked off within the metering block itself).
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Corona Ca
Ok the kit came in today after several hours of twisting and turning I finally took a tubing bender tot he evaporator lines. I wouldn't recommend the nostalgic kit it takes a lot more than it should to make it fit. But it's in now on to hoses and compressor.