Add Electric Fan when converting to R134A
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Add Electric Fan when converting to R134A
Am considering converting my 1980 over to R134A as the R12 has been lost due to a leak. Was talking to an AC service tech and he said the stock condenser would be adequate as long as an electric fan is added in front.
The car is an L82 with the stock electric fan behind the radiator. Wondering if air flow across the condenser would be improved by having this fan run whenever the A/C runs? If so what would be the best way to achieve this?
The car is an L82 with the stock electric fan behind the radiator. Wondering if air flow across the condenser would be improved by having this fan run whenever the A/C runs? If so what would be the best way to achieve this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
I switched my 81 to R134a, used it one year, and switched it back to R12.
They are systems designed around the refrigerant, and the 134 just didn't cut it in these older systems.
It was just my observation, and talking with techs.
Your results may vary.
They are systems designed around the refrigerant, and the 134 just didn't cut it in these older systems.
It was just my observation, and talking with techs.
Your results may vary.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,555
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
My '34 SBC truck had a 2100 CFM electric puller fan which kept the engine at 195*F in city traffic on 98*F summer days.
When I installed Vintage A/C the engine ran 220* in city traffic/TOO HOT for my liking. (The condenser slows down airflow through the radiator considerably, plus it gets hotter than the engine coolant, causing the need for more airflow).
I installed a 2100CFM PUSHER fan and connected the relay to the A/C compressor clutch wiring.....any time the compressor engaged, the Pusher fan turned on (I could have connected the relay to th days A/C fan speed switc but there is no need for the 2nd fan to operate full time at highway speed///you could also wire the 2nd fan to operate off a second 195* coolant temperature switch-----when the 2nd coolant switch reaches 195* the Pusher fan will turn on, cooling the condenser as well as the radiator).
Now, the airflow into the engine bay is strong again after adding the 2nd fan.
This cured the city traffic overheating problem
When I installed Vintage A/C the engine ran 220* in city traffic/TOO HOT for my liking. (The condenser slows down airflow through the radiator considerably, plus it gets hotter than the engine coolant, causing the need for more airflow).
I installed a 2100CFM PUSHER fan and connected the relay to the A/C compressor clutch wiring.....any time the compressor engaged, the Pusher fan turned on (I could have connected the relay to th days A/C fan speed switc but there is no need for the 2nd fan to operate full time at highway speed///you could also wire the 2nd fan to operate off a second 195* coolant temperature switch-----when the 2nd coolant switch reaches 195* the Pusher fan will turn on, cooling the condenser as well as the radiator).
Now, the airflow into the engine bay is strong again after adding the 2nd fan.
This cured the city traffic overheating problem
Last edited by doorgunner; Aug 19, 2015 at 10:14 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
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From: Great Plains Iowa
My '71 with its stock A-6 compressor and R-134 gets so darned cold I have to cut the fan speed down or add heat. Center vent temperature around 50 degrees and it blows a LOT harder with the longer C4 blower wheel.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,555
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I thought the firewall fan on my '68 project was just tired....but it seems like all of them are underpowered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Your system from Vintage air is designed for 134. It has a cross flow condenser vs a serpentine one for r-12.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Am considering converting my 1980 over to R134A as the R12 has been lost due to a leak. Was talking to an AC service tech and he said the stock condenser would be adequate as long as an electric fan is added in front.
The car is an L82 with the stock electric fan behind the radiator. Wondering if air flow across the condenser would be improved by having this fan run whenever the A/C runs? If so what would be the best way to achieve this?
The car is an L82 with the stock electric fan behind the radiator. Wondering if air flow across the condenser would be improved by having this fan run whenever the A/C runs? If so what would be the best way to achieve this?
I found the main problem with all the C3 condensers is the huge gaps between the condenser and the radiator. Seal those gaps with wood or weatherstripping or foam and the A/C will cool a LOT better in stop-and-go city traffic. The A/C in my '71 was worthless in city traffic until I plugged those leaks and now its fantastic.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,170
From: Hermosa
Am considering converting my 1980 over to R134A as the R12 has been lost due to a leak. Was talking to an AC service tech and he said the stock condenser would be adequate as long as an electric fan is added in front.
The car is an L82 with the stock electric fan behind the radiator. Wondering if air flow across the condenser would be improved by having this fan run whenever the A/C runs? If so what would be the best way to achieve this?
The car is an L82 with the stock electric fan behind the radiator. Wondering if air flow across the condenser would be improved by having this fan run whenever the A/C runs? If so what would be the best way to achieve this?
This solenoid is powered by 12 volts dc. Use that 12 volts to close a relay that will carry the load to power the fan. This way each time you select the ac on the fan will run.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
When your ac is selected on you have an idle solenoid that is activated to hold the throttle open a little more to compensate for the load on the engine.
This solenoid is powered by 12 volts dc. Use that 12 volts to close a relay that will carry the load to power the fan. This way each time you select the ac on the fan will run.
This solenoid is powered by 12 volts dc. Use that 12 volts to close a relay that will carry the load to power the fan. This way each time you select the ac on the fan will run.
the relay as suggested and running one side of the switch portion of
the relay to ground and the other, splicing into the temperature sensor
wire for the fan work? I thought that the fan is activated when the
temperature sensor grounds to the block so splicing into this wire
should turn on the fan when the relay is triggered by the ac solenoid.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 27
Another note: I got my AC down to 60 deg temp (with R134A), in 100 deg ambient temp, by just changing the orific tube. I would describe this as "adequate" although it would be nice if it were cooler.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
Next time I am ditching that POS compressor, and using a Sanden.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
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I know this is an old post but I will give it a shot. I recently acquired a 1980 L-82 corvette and the stock AC did not work. I paid to have the conversion kit from Ecklers installed and it ran for a day and then started blowing warm. I took it back to shop and they said the AC electric condenser fan went bad. Cant locate that fan anywhere! Anybody know where I can get this fan. I live in Memphis area and need the AC! The part number on the fan is Delco 22016589 12 9. Thank you for any help you can offer!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,640
Likes: 2,460
From: Indiana
I know this is an old post but I will give it a shot. I recently acquired a 1980 L-82 corvette and the stock AC did not work. I paid to have the conversion kit from Ecklers installed and it ran for a day and then started blowing warm. I took it back to shop and they said the AC electric condenser fan went bad. Cant locate that fan anywhere! Anybody know where I can get this fan. I live in Memphis area and need the AC! The part number on the fan is Delco 22016589 12 9. Thank you for any help you can offer!!!
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
i just had it converted. The shop said the fan is not working so the condenser is getting too hot for it to cool properly. Said I needed a new electric A/C condenser fan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,640
Likes: 2,460
From: Indiana
he is incorrect…fan is helpful not required..start a new thread with copius pictures..your mechanical fan pulls enough air…
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
When you fixed the AC system on R134a, did you remove the compressor to drain and put in R134a oil, believe is PAG oil. If so how much did you put in? Did you change the VIR to a VIR eliminator? Any other info you may have would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim
dbc340parks@aol.com
Thanks
Jim
dbc340parks@aol.com
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Ac conversion
I paid a shop in Spokane to do it before we drive it to Memphis. I am not sure what they did. It worked for a day and when it quit I took it back in. They charged me another 120 dollars to tell me that the ac electric condensing fan had gone bad and couldn’t get the parts. Drive it back with no ac