Later Model AC?

[truckster]

Here's my situation: I'm putting my Blazer back together, and I discovered there was a huge hole in the hard line to the evaporator. The new engine is an L31 with serpentine brackets from a 98 Silverado. I had planned to use the condenser and compressor from a 2001 Express 3500 van that's volunteered to be an engine donor for another project. I know it's a long shot, but... has anyone ever used the evaporator from a later model Chevy in a 72 with factory air?

[Katrina/10]

A 1987 evaporator fits well in the original box.

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

A 1987 evaporator fits well in the original box.

@Katrina/10

Is it necessary to change the evaporator when updating the compressor and condenser? I am doing an LS3 swap in my 1972 Blazer and will be using a sanden S7 compressor and swapping to 134 refrigerant. The reason I ask is I bought an NOS evaporator and would like to use it?

[clay68c10]

I’ve also used a square body evap. Fits well, but slightly smaller so you have to make a small spacer inside the case.
I would think the POA elimination would be the way to run the factory evap with a newer compressor on an LS swap. I suppose you could run a POA since it cools great, but I don’t know how that compressor would like a 100% duty cycle.

[truckster]

Excellent! I just looked it up - $50 vs $300 for a 72 evaporator. Building a spacer should be simple.

Thanks so much!

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by truckster

Excellent! I just looked it up - $50 vs $300 for a 72 evaporator. Building a spacer should be simple.

Thanks so much!

What year did you look up? 73-87 are not all the same.

[truckster]

I looked up an 87. I also looked up a 98 - it looks close enough to work as well.

So that brings up a question - I have a 98 Silverado and a 2001 Express 3500. Both have the Vortec 5.7 with serpentine (the setup I put in my Blazer) but the 98 has an orifice tube and the 01 has an expansion valve. Which one works better?