I've read through a few of the threads where people found cheaper alternative options for Parallel Flow Condensers that a good R134a conversion really needs, so I'm searching for the "perfect" evaporator at a good price for C3s.
There's a few "direct fit" options out there, but many of the parallel flow evaporators seem shockingly similar to one another and I think get the cores from a common source in New York and then add their own brackets and inlets and outlets to them.

There's a SHOCKING price jump between some of the "universal fit" options ($60-80 w free shipping) and the "direct fit" options for a C3 ($290 + $50 shipping) and this seems like a place where a little bit of investigation and DIY could result in some LARGE savings.
I'm looking for options for a 77L+ car (Orifice Tube + pressure cycling); but with a VIR delete, the older cars essentially become the same as a 77Late+ car, so applicable to VIR delete earlier years, too.

Direct Fit Options:

• Original Air / Classic Auto Air:
  • Model # 11-221P $290 They're backed up on deliveries for a while waiting on new cores to come in from NY
  • The most "direct fit" option; comes with brackets AND proper 90 / 45 deg inlet fittings so you don't even have to tweak any of the stock hoses
• Old Air
  • PN 51-31930 $290 with $50 shipping; also backed up for weeks right now
  • They sell their rather simple bracket kit for $50 separately
  • 90 deg bends on inlet and outlet
  • State that they're SuperKool Condensers with 14 fins per inch (vs 16-18) and supposedly restrict airflow through them and to the radiator less -Vintage Air also seem to be based upon SuperKool condensers
• Vintage Air
  • Evaporator only Kit for C3s is only $240 and includes evaporator, drier, a few hoses, and nice custom brackets
  • Drier mounted up by the condenser like on earlier C3s
  • Does NOT connect to a stock evaporator; made to work with Vintage air evaporator kits. You'd need to make a custom hose to use with stock evaporators
  • inlet and outlet hoses go straight out from the condenser and would require adapters to 90 or customized hoses (going to require custom hoses anyway if you use the drier setup in their kit

Universal Fit Options (that I've looked at):

• Vintage Air branded:
  • 14x24" 03263-VUC -I'm almost certain this is the condenser that comes in the Vintage Air kit $149, but 180 deg straight out hose connections;
    • I think it would work WONDERFULLY with Vintage Air's $50 brackets but then you're @ $200 and need to deal with the hoses and you don't have the drier from the kit
  • 037700 slightly wider 14"x25.5 but has 90 deg bends on the ports $149
    • Would better accommodate stock hoses, but may or may not work with the Vintage air bracket
• Generic "SuperFlow"
  • OldAir is very open that their condenser is built from a SuperFlow core; I honestly think that almost all of these are.
  • The 44-1424 I believe to be the same as the Vintage Air 03263-VUC condenser for $104 from Nostalgicac.com
    • Should work with Vintage air brackets
    • Still has the problem of 180 deg inlets and outlets requiring adapters or custom hoses
  • 44-1425 I believe to be the same as the Vintage Air 03770 for $104 from Nostalgicac.com
    • Has the 90 deg bends to work better with stock AC hoses
    • MIGHT work with Vintage Air brackets with minor modifications (add a new hole in the top mounting bracket)
    • Could it be made to work with stock evap bracket easily? Maybe..

This is where I'm at now. There's obviously cheaper parallel flow condensers for ($50-$80) on AMZN and Ebay and there's LARGER condensers out there, but these are only slightly smaller than the stock condenser and +30% more efficient. I also like leaving part of the radiator open for better cooling and the slightly higher fin count for better air through both if going with only puller fans.


I'm curious about the other options people have found and anyone's ideas.

I've got the rest of my R134a conversion figured out, this is the last detail and I think the one with the most opportunity to make a difference in performance AND cost and where I haven't found an option that I'm just in love with yet.


Adam

 

Can anyone confirm that the original condensers are #6 and #8 AC lines?

I haven't been able to confirm that anywhere other than all the "Direct Fit" replacements clearly use them so I think it's pretty safe to assume the originals are, too.


Adam

 

This is what I bought for my AC on my late 77.
From Nostalgic AC:
R-134A Hose kit w/ fittings and drier $114
132R SBC pump bracket for Sanden compressor$97.49
15x27 superflow R-134a condenser $99.99
From Ecklers:
Drier $60
and I bought a new Sanden compressor on ebay, I think it was under $100.

 

If your system is working and has no leaks, you are just tired of trying to find expensive R12, then what I do is fill with 134a and add 2 oz of propane (R290, or sometimes marketed as the fake name "12a"). The propane, being a hydrocarbon, will carry the old oil just fine. If you have an adjustable pressure switch then adjust about 10-15 psi higher for the higher working pressures of 134a vs R12. Propane is a great refrigerant and is used in many stationary systems (dorm 'fridgs, wine coolers, reach-in coolers, etc)

keep the 134a on the low side of full. overfilling 134a will cause pressures to be even higher and cause the pressure switch to cycle on-off. a small charge of 2oz of propane will not go boom.

No need for a new evaporator, expansion valve or condenser. I have done this on many old cars I have owned.

 

My 77L has the original condenser with 134a. With electric fans and C4 blower I have not had an issue with cooling.

What size orifice tube are you going to use?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303589092019 gimme a couple days to check the fit. not here yet. yes, the stock unit and these are 6 and 8. GREEN O-rings!!

 

Thanks; I like your beastly huge condenser for $99 and a SuperFlow to boot! -You got it from Nostalgic AC?
This one?: https://nostalgicac.com/15-x-27-supe...condenser.html -You adapted the 180 degree posts with a 90 adapter or did you use non-stock hoses?
-That was the one thing I didn't like about the Nostalgicac options, they only had the 180 degree inlets and outlets and no stock-style 90 deg adapters on any of them. Maybe I SHOULD go with a bigger one, though....

You have any picture of it on the car? You build a custom mounting bracket or how did you mount it?

Adam

 

Thanks. I ended up moving the stock condenser around far too much while I had the engine, radiator and support out and broke the line so I also needed to replace the drier and a line and I just assumed move to 134a now, knowing that a 134a system is also compatible with the new refrigerant that's the next switch-over.

I like the +30% cooling efficiency of a parallel condenser, too. Good reminder on the 80%-85% fill guideline on R134a vs. R12.
-I have an adjustable low switch and I think it's 1/8 turn to adjust the low side pressure for 134a (in my notes somewhere).

I'm keeping the stock evaporator and hoses, though.

Adam

 

I just like the added efficiency of a parallel pass condenser and playing the "how cold can I get the vent temp" game. I swapped to a Silverado blower fan motor last weekend (still figuring out how to clock the stupid thing to get the cooling hose to actually go on it -my first attempt on Sunday failed and I ran out of hours in the day to work on the car) -3D printed C4 blower style spacer with it -had a neighbor print the spacer for me.

If I was going with a standard orifice tube I'd go with the blue 0.067" but I'm going with a standard variable one and I'm in Seattle so I don't need a high temp / heavy duty variable one.


Adam

 

Exciting! I'm definitely interested to see what you find. I saw you were hunting for one in another thread.

Derek: Did you happen to get the dimensions on that one from Pacific Best? Doesn't look like they posted it in the listing.

I found that Pacific Best model in my searches, too but with it missing the welded on brackets with holes, it just seemed like it might be harder to get a bracket on it and I have near zero fabrication or welding skills. (I can mig two iron or steel pieces together good enough as long as it's allowed to look like crap and someone tells me what settings to use...)

I've already got my Green O'rings; thanks, though.
I've pulled the evap housing out and cleaned everything up and looked it over- all looks great.

I used the air compressor to blow out existing AC oil but I'm going to flush it with rubbing alcohol and blow everything out again.
I'm going to borrow an actual orfice tube remover tool because knowing me I'll break it if I try the needle nose pliers.
I'm going with Esteroil with the UV dye in it just in case.
-I found the NAPA 90 degree shrader valve posts-not the best price but look WAY easier to get service /fill hoses on them if I end up charging it myself.
(I actually have been around refrigeration and AC systems a few times before but never filled one myself; I've got a commercial glass door fridge for my brewing hobby and 20 years ago I was really into computer CPU overclocking and super chilling computer components to make them go faster and had a room dehumidifier converted into a liquid chiller with some exotic refrigerants to chill RV antifreeze to -30 to -40 so I could pump it to a heat exchanger on my CPU and motherboard to try to break CPU overclocking records.... #Nerd!)

Honestly this AC conversion project actually reminds me of my days overclocking and I think that's why I'm interested in seeing just how cold I can get the vent temps with a mostly stock system with a good parallel condenser and variable orfice tube added.

-I might pick up a second hand vacuum pump or Harbor Freight one and give it a try. I'm not sure I have any local AC or auto shops that I trust to actually take the time to do it right and pull a vacuum for a long time, and weight the refrigerant and check vent temps and really try and get the fill just right.


Adam

 

That link is the one i got. I used the stock mounting brackets, I think I just drilled some holes. I made my own hoses for it.