87 AC main line removal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
87 AC main line removal
I was wondering what I need to be aware of before I disconnect the main line from the evaporator to the AC compressor? My hose split and its getting the underside of the hood greasy and wet. I ordered a replacement from Vette2Vette. Am I able to just unbolt it and throw on the new one without junk getting sprayed everywhere? And am I going to be able to charge it with the R134A easily once I do so?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
I was wondering what I need to be aware of before I disconnect the main line from the evaporator to the AC compressor? My hose split and its getting the underside of the hood greasy and wet. I ordered a replacement from Vette2Vette. Am I able to just unbolt it and throw on the new one without junk getting sprayed everywhere? And am I going to be able to charge it with the R134A easily once I do so?
Last edited by Wheelman; May 14, 2007 at 01:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
If there is anything left in the lines, you should have a shop recover it before you pull it apart, and replace the accumulater / drier since you had the system open. Make sure to pull a vacuum on the system for at least a half hour before you charge it again! Were you able to get a NEW line from Vette to Vette? or was it just a used part...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
Pulling a vacuum sucks all the air/moisture out of a system. The accumulator / reciever drier is the metal round cylinder at the front of your engine bay.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
So how would you vacuum something like this? Is there special tool that is needed? I would prefer not to take it to the shop since I know AC work is expensive. I'm moving to GA next month and do not want to spend much so that will be out of the question for now. Just trying to fix all the little things on it before the road trip with the Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Take the car to a good shop that specializes in A/C work. If you have no experience in doing this sort of thing, it's easy to really screw things up to the point where you could ruin the compressor. That's big money for the old style radial compressors!
Are you going to re-install R-12 or convert to R-134a? Is the condensor free of debris and dirt? With the system opened, a new accumulator would be in order especialy if the hose you are getting is used.
Are you going to re-install R-12 or convert to R-134a? Is the condensor free of debris and dirt? With the system opened, a new accumulator would be in order especialy if the hose you are getting is used.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Why would you buy a used hose? Vette2vette doesn't sell new parts.
I took mine to a local AC shop to replace the hose and braze the hose ends back on, since the GM replacement was too short.
I took mine to a local AC shop to replace the hose and braze the hose ends back on, since the GM replacement was too short.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Take the car to a good shop that specializes in A/C work. If you have no experience in doing this sort of thing, it's easy to really screw things up to the point where you could ruin the compressor. That's big money for the old style radial compressors!
Are you going to re-install R-12 or convert to R-134a? Is the condensor free of debris and dirt? With the system opened, a new accumulator would be in order especialy if the hose you are getting is used.
Are you going to re-install R-12 or convert to R-134a? Is the condensor free of debris and dirt? With the system opened, a new accumulator would be in order especialy if the hose you are getting is used.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Yeah? Vette2Vette actually sells some new parts. How much did it cost you to replace your hoses? Maybe I should send the hose back once I get it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I bought from Chris May at superior chevy with forum discount, including new compressor, accumulator, both hoses.
Parts were slightly cheaper than Rockauto.com and way cheaper than everywhere else.
The hose that didn't fit I sent back, the local shop charged me the same price as the new one to redo it, about $80 I think.
Parts were slightly cheaper than Rockauto.com and way cheaper than everywhere else.
The hose that didn't fit I sent back, the local shop charged me the same price as the new one to redo it, about $80 I think.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
I bought from Chris May at superior chevy with forum discount, including new compressor, accumulator, both hoses.
Parts were slightly cheaper than Rockauto.com and way cheaper than everywhere else.
The hose that didn't fit I sent back, the local shop charged me the same price as the new one to redo it, about $80 I think.
Parts were slightly cheaper than Rockauto.com and way cheaper than everywhere else.
The hose that didn't fit I sent back, the local shop charged me the same price as the new one to redo it, about $80 I think.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Accumulator $38
Compressor $268
Cond Hose $79 (but it didn' t fit)
Orifice Tube $2
Shipping $30.25 (Compressor was most of weight)
Compare with rockauto and oehq.com
Also local hose shop charged me $95 to redo compressor hose assembly, $49 for condensor hose, $11 tax.
Crusing through the Mojave desert in my ancient sportscar with 40F air blowing on me... priceless.
Compressor $268
Cond Hose $79 (but it didn' t fit)
Orifice Tube $2
Shipping $30.25 (Compressor was most of weight)
Compare with rockauto and oehq.com
Also local hose shop charged me $95 to redo compressor hose assembly, $49 for condensor hose, $11 tax.
Crusing through the Mojave desert in my ancient sportscar with 40F air blowing on me... priceless.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Accumulator $38
Compressor $268
Cond Hose $79 (but it didn' t fit)
Orifice Tube $2
Shipping $30.25 (Compressor was most of weight)
Compare with rockauto and oehq.com
Also local hose shop charged me $95 to redo compressor hose assembly, $49 for condensor hose, $11 tax.
Crusing through the Mojave desert in my ancient sportscar with 40F air blowing on me... priceless.
Compressor $268
Cond Hose $79 (but it didn' t fit)
Orifice Tube $2
Shipping $30.25 (Compressor was most of weight)
Compare with rockauto and oehq.com
Also local hose shop charged me $95 to redo compressor hose assembly, $49 for condensor hose, $11 tax.
Crusing through the Mojave desert in my ancient sportscar with 40F air blowing on me... priceless.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
That wouldn't be a good thing. I've got 3 vehicles and the 97 Blazer is going on a trailer due to the fact that it needs work. The Xterra will be driven by my fiancee with my 2 kids. So I have no choice but to drive the vette. Moving sucks, thats for sure. Can't wait till its over with.