has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

texas71 · 06-03-2010, 10:14 PM

I was wondering if anyone has used this kit and if it is any good. I have been driving this truck daily since 1990 and it has always cooled well until 3 summers ago. I checked the poa for proper operation per directions I found on a website ( it was 2 years ago I dont remember where), have tyried 3 expansion valves and it has a sanden compresssor that I bought new, and original condenser without electric fans, the evap is clean and the heater hoses are looped back to the valve just to be sure. It lost its refrigerant, r12, over the winter so I pulled a vac. and put in a little freeze 12 and the evap has a leak. This is why I'm interested in the kit because it has a new evap, and eliminates the poa and exp. valve, my 79 corvette has the accumulator/orifice tube with a sanden and r12 and it works great, is there any reason it would not be a good idea for my truck? Thank's, Jason.

texas71 · 06-06-2010, 10:56 AM

Bump, come on, someone has to have an opinion about this. I was looking around and year one has original type evap.'s but then I'm stuck with the POA valve again, and I cant get my POA off of the evap, I used oil a little heat and the right size wrenches and all it did was crush/deform the fittings. I also saw that somewhere they offer a POA eliminator that works with the orig. evap., and I also have a parts truck with evap and POA but it has been open to the elements since before I bought it, all I want are opinions and or suggestions about what ya'll think is the best alternative, thank's again.

dan42 · 06-06-2010, 11:04 AM

patience, grasshopper. I'm gonna have to do this to my '70 so I'm interested as well.

Andy4639 · 06-06-2010, 01:44 PM

I love my system. I bought everything out of a newer truck and put in mine.
No POA, just a expanision valve and new acumilator, eveparator everything.

RichardJ · 06-06-2010, 03:08 PM

The choice is yours, but I like what Andy has done. If you do start making changes, I would continue on and get rid of the stock tube-and-fin condenser. Parallel-flow condensers are much better at getting rid of the heat and are needed for a successful 134A conversion. Personnally, I don't see the need for some of those other chemicals as the 134A works fine for me.
I used a parallel- flow from a '02 Chrysler with slip on "O" ring connectors, but required a lot of mods to get it to fit. I am not recommending what I did, but you should look into a parallel-flow.

I have the orifice and accumulator CCOT type system in my '67, but it is made up from pieces from several different cars.

Andy4639 · 06-06-2010, 04:02 PM

My system is a make up as well. I started out with all the later model truck stuff then bought the Classic air condensor and compressor with mounting kit and hoses. I mounted everything then carried my truck to the local ac shop and for $50.00 they did all the hoses for me. I'm running 134-a straight also and it cools to about 35 degree's.
The only thing I need now is a way to make the fan blow at a higher stting than what it has now.

texas71 · 06-06-2010, 04:34 PM

Thank's, I'm going to look for a condenser to, this is all good input but not sure about the difference you spoke about in the type of condenser. Keep it coming, thank's

RichardJ · 06-07-2010, 11:04 AM

These web sites do a good job of explaning the differences, but I think I would have trouble identifying in some cases the difference between the old tube-and-fin and the one they call the Piccolo. I would have to believe that Andy has the Piccolo, because Classic Industries is selling them for the 134A and Andy's setup sounds like it is doing great.
http://www.visteon.com/products/unde...ia/contech.pdf
http://www.airpartsonline.com/techno...20310006952#18
The parallel flow is easy to identify because it looks more like a radiator with a tank on both ends.

texas71 · 06-08-2010, 02:33 AM

Thank's, more good info, I got my evap kitcoming from classic ind. today as well as the largest parallel flow condenser that they make with brackets from vintage air. I am using a sanden 508 but I had R12 in it i understand that I have to switch oil to PAG but which weight? After I drain the compressor how much do I put back in it? What solvent is recommended to flush the system? Should I add oil for the rest of the system or is the oil that I add to the compressor enough? Any suggestions on condenser fans? I was reading another thread and someone mentioned 20% off at classic ind., I don't remember who it was but THANK's.

06-06-2010, 10:56 AM	#2
texas71 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: brenham TX Posts: 13	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? Bump, come on, someone has to have an opinion about this. I was looking around and year one has original type evap.'s but then I'm stuck with the POA valve again, and I cant get my POA off of the evap, I used oil a little heat and the right size wrenches and all it did was crush/deform the fittings. I also saw that somewhere they offer a POA eliminator that works with the orig. evap., and I also have a parts truck with evap and POA but it has been open to the elements since before I bought it, all I want are opinions and or suggestions about what ya'll think is the best alternative, thank's again.

06-06-2010, 11:04 AM	#3
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? patience, grasshopper. I'm gonna have to do this to my '70 so I'm interested as well. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

06-06-2010, 01:44 PM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? I love my system. I bought everything out of a newer truck and put in mine. No POA, just a expanision valve and new acumilator, eveparator everything. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

06-06-2010, 03:08 PM	#5
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,458	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? The choice is yours, but I like what Andy has done. If you do start making changes, I would continue on and get rid of the stock tube-and-fin condenser. Parallel-flow condensers are much better at getting rid of the heat and are needed for a successful 134A conversion. Personnally, I don't see the need for some of those other chemicals as the 134A works fine for me. I used a parallel- flow from a '02 Chrysler with slip on "O" ring connectors, but required a lot of mods to get it to fit. I am not recommending what I did, but you should look into a parallel-flow. I have the orifice and accumulator CCOT type system in my '67, but it is made up from pieces from several different cars.

06-06-2010, 04:02 PM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? My system is a make up as well. I started out with all the later model truck stuff then bought the Classic air condensor and compressor with mounting kit and hoses. I mounted everything then carried my truck to the local ac shop and for $50.00 they did all the hoses for me. I'm running 134-a straight also and it cools to about 35 degree's. The only thing I need now is a way to make the fan blow at a higher stting than what it has now. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

06-03-2010, 10:14 PM	#1
texas71 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: brenham TX Posts: 13	has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? I was wondering if anyone has used this kit and if it is any good. I have been driving this truck daily since 1990 and it has always cooled well until 3 summers ago. I checked the poa for proper operation per directions I found on a website ( it was 2 years ago I dont remember where), have tyried 3 expansion valves and it has a sanden compresssor that I bought new, and original condenser without electric fans, the evap is clean and the heater hoses are looped back to the valve just to be sure. It lost its refrigerant, r12, over the winter so I pulled a vac. and put in a little freeze 12 and the evap has a leak. This is why I'm interested in the kit because it has a new evap, and eliminates the poa and exp. valve, my 79 corvette has the accumulator/orifice tube with a sanden and r12 and it works great, is there any reason it would not be a good idea for my truck? Thank's, Jason.

06-06-2010, 04:34 PM	#7
texas71 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: brenham TX Posts: 13	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? Thank's, I'm going to look for a condenser to, this is all good input but not sure about the difference you spoke about in the type of condenser. Keep it coming, thank's

06-07-2010, 11:04 AM	#8
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,458	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? These web sites do a good job of explaning the differences, but I think I would have trouble identifying in some cases the difference between the old tube-and-fin and the one they call the Piccolo. I would have to believe that Andy has the Piccolo, because Classic Industries is selling them for the 134A and Andy's setup sounds like it is doing great. http://www.visteon.com/products/unde...ia/contech.pdf http://www.airpartsonline.com/techno...20310006952#18 The parallel flow is easy to identify because it looks more like a radiator with a tank on both ends. Last edited by RichardJ; 06-07-2010 at 11:06 AM.

06-08-2010, 02:33 AM	#9
texas71 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: brenham TX Posts: 13	Re: has anyone used classic ind. evaporator upgrade kit? Thank's, more good info, I got my evap kitcoming from classic ind. today as well as the largest parallel flow condenser that they make with brackets from vintage air. I am using a sanden 508 but I had R12 in it i understand that I have to switch oil to PAG but which weight? After I drain the compressor how much do I put back in it? What solvent is recommended to flush the system? Should I add oil for the rest of the system or is the oil that I add to the compressor enough? Any suggestions on condenser fans? I was reading another thread and someone mentioned 20% off at classic ind., I don't remember who it was but THANK's.



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