Air Conditioning Question

[82sdale]

I've read the FAQ and the treads but still have a question for an air conditioning guru.

I have a 1982 Scottsdale with stock a/c and power steering. It's been 'converted' to R134a but I can't swear to what the previous owner did or didn't do. It has a stock R4 pancake compressor, on the drivers side, which
sounds like it's about to die. So for a winter project, I plan to upgrade the engine bay components.

I am going to keep the in cab stock so I'm not looking at any of the after market ac kits. I have a new Sanden 508, Accumulator, and orifice tube. I plan to use a Alan Grove 119L bracket (unless somebody has a better idea), and the big questions...

I need to know about the condenser. I hear the parallel flow type is the way to go. But since my truck came with R12, it has a tube and fin. Is there a 'bolt on' parallel flow condenser out there that will fit my truck? I prefer a stock GM component - maybe for a later model, that I can buy at the local parts house in any town USA, so I can replace if needed.

My second question is about hoses. Does anyone sell hoses that will mate up from a Sanden to this new condenser? All I've been able to find have one end crimped on and the other end has to be cut and fitted. I'd like to buy something common and already put together.

I've done some looking and I found this link:

http://ck5.com/forums/threads/r4-to-...umbers.321754/

One of the guys used the following on his blazer which should be close to my truck.

Compressor was a CO4628C, which crosses out to a Sanden 709 style compressor.

AC Delco 156960 Condenser
FOUR SEASONS 33190 A/C Accumulator
FOUR SEASONS 26739 A/C System O-Ring & Gasket Kit
FOUR SEASONS 38623 A/C Orifice Tube

I understand most of what he did but the AC Delco 156960 Condenser looks to be a stretch to put in my truck. From the picture, the AC Delco 156960 Condenser connections appear to be at the bottom while mine are at the top. There's an indention in my radiator support where my stock condenser lines come out and there isn't an indention at the bottom where lines could come out.

The link below shows a condenser that appears to be more like the one I have. However, I haven't been able to determine if its the parallel flow type and I haven't found a local source for it either.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...DI7013616.html


My last question, for now, is how would one calculate the amount of R134a needed for this upgrade?

Any thoughts..?? Thanks in advance...