1988 Damaged condenser
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
1988 Damaged condenser
My 1988 has 195,000 miles on it. The amount of debris that has come up and flattened fins on my condenser is anybody's guess ! The result is blocked air flow. I tried to comb them out but it was in vain. The comb simply pulled teeth off the condenser or the metal is old and weak just pointless. Well my coolant temps are 240-245 in traffic. On the freeway yesterday it was 110 degrees outside and my gauge read 215. Today after work I am putting a Champion 2 row 1" radiator in thanks to GREGGPENN. His thread is great ! All I see is cutting out the feet to fit it in. Now I stated my air flow is blocked. On the passenger side about 20% max but no more. However ENOUGH. I hope this fixes the high coolant issue but I am ready to order a new condenser. the best price I could find is $190. There are cheaper but not in stock and nobody could say when they will carry it again. Remember the 1988 condenser is the ONLY year it was produced. Autozone wants $275+ tax.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
Likes: 2,728
Have you ever considered maybe changing to the '89 condenser and using the evaporator tube and the compressor fitting that would be correct for the '89. All of the major components were the same (compressor and evaporator). I see by the miles we're not maybe concerned with the "originality" but the functionality of the cooling system and also the refrigeration system.
Granted the parts might be as difficult to source but then again, without checking one would never know.
It might be wise to post a "anybody parting" an '88 in the parts section. It's hard to tell what just might surface. Won't find out without asking! Is it still an R12 system or have you converted?
Granted the parts might be as difficult to source but then again, without checking one would never know.
It might be wise to post a "anybody parting" an '88 in the parts section. It's hard to tell what just might surface. Won't find out without asking! Is it still an R12 system or have you converted?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Hi, yes, the condenser should fix the cooling problem that you're having. Also making your A/C a lot better. Remember to get R12 like the other guy said. Also, releasing R12 or R134a into the Atmosphere is illegal, so make some wise decisions. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
I swaped to a 2 row 1" Champion radiator Fri after work. Ambient temp 112. Drove home and never went over 195 on the freeway. Saturday I drove to Pinetop AZ. Straight up to over 6000 feet. My oil temp was 250-260 at times. Coolant 185-225. Drove 75-90 with the A/C on until we got to Pinetop AZ. My system was changed over to R12. I stuck a hose behind the condenser when the radiator was out and washed out all the dirt. Sadly when we stopped for restroom breaks and ice the coolant temp climbed back to 240. I'm thinking Corvette Central Dewitt fan $200. For $200 I will try my luck and go from 1700cfm to 2350cfm.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
My A/C runs nice and cold. Yes its R12. My fan doesn't blow very hard is this normal ? Considering replacing the motor and fan. But only if blowing at a weak rate isn't normal.
