a/c question?

[beachbum]

hey guys going to the junkyard tomorrow to get what i think is called a liquid line? its the line that runs from the condensor to the dryer on my 1978 el camino,my question is what other cars can i get an exact fit from since they hardly ever have caminos? any help is appreciated thnx bb

[gchemist]

Welcome to the site. You are better off having new hoses made. R134 is a smaller molecule than R12. R134 will seep through old hoses over time. New hoses have a plastic barrier between outer and inner walls.

[beachbum]

ok thnx for that info never knew about that,and yes we were going to 134 cause r12 is so expensive and hard to find anyway,another question though........we always heard that 134 is nowhere near as good meaning gets cold as r12 is that true or just myth? thnx bb

[gchemist]

True R12 cools better. R134 is efficient in correct design. You need to add a cross flow condenser. All new condensers should be cross flow. You can tell them apart. A R12 condenser is a single tube wrapping back and forth. A cross flow as multiple tubes running across. You need a correct pressure switch for R134. R 12 will work. You should seal the area between the condenser and radiator. All new vehicles have the area closed off. You want max air flow across the condenser.

[beachbum]

see this is why im here to learn lol i never knew that stuff so now i kno what questions to ask and what to get thnx for the info and see u soon

[gchemist]

I learned it all from doing it. I converted my 83 to R134. It runs great except for bumper to bumper traffic. Hope to get that fixed before this summer. I'm looking for the best options to seal the area between condensor and radiator. I may find a 90's and trim the flaps between the condensor and radiator.

[beachbum]

ok keep in mind i only drove this around the block before i parked it to work on but im running 2 10" electric fans besides my stock clutch fan and shroud,so im hoping not to have that in traffic problem we`ll see and i`ll keep u updated,and also r u running elctric fans also? thats the only reason i put them on there is cause i know how hot the cars get sitting at the lights here in good old sunny florida thnx and see u soon

[gchemist]

I do run dual LS Camaro fans. I have a two fold problem. The ZZ4 needs to run at 195 or so for optimal performance. I run a 205 on 190 off fan probe. As long as the truck is moving, enough air moves across the condensor to keep temps cold. At slow speeds, with the fans off, A/C temps drop fast. As soon as fans kick on, A/C temps drop back fast. The cycle is a little annoying. I may go with a variable speed controller. I have a Mark VIII ready to install. It's dual speed. Wiring for city driving, low speed for A/C activation, high speed for engine cooling. A bypass for city driving will help reduce load on long trips.

[hyatt]

montecarlo Malibu granprix lemans regal century of the same years should have the same line

[beachbum]

ok hyatt thnx for that, and gchemist why dont u do like me(and keep in mind this isnt road tested yet) but i`ve done it on other cars,direct wire the fan to the iggy switch so they stay on all the time?yea i know it will change ur warm up time but to me thats better than running hot...................or put the fans on a direct toggle switch to just turn on when u see ur temp creeping up to high? bypass the temp switch all together worked great on my old chevy truck that use to get hot stuck in traffic? anyway just a thought and thnx for u guys help and suggestions..

[gchemist]

Hot for my ZZ4 is not until 205 or higher. Cold is 190. Aluminum heads like heat. I can deal with the A/C temp cycle. Even moving at 20 MPH temps drops fast. The cab is really "small" and fan on High blows air like a hurricane. If there was a bigger gap between the condensor and radiator, I would sandwhich the fans between them. I've also considered pusher fans in front of the condensor. I can only use one fan due because transmission external oil cooler covers one side. My truck is not a daily driver. It's a weekend and nice weather cruiser.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by gchemist

I do run dual LS Camaro fans. I have a two fold problem. The ZZ4 needs to run at 195 or so for optimal performance. I run a 205 on 190 off fan probe. As long as the truck is moving, enough air moves across the condensor to keep temps cold. At slow speeds, with the fans off, A/C temps drop fast. As soon as fans kick on, A/C temps drop back fast. The cycle is a little annoying. I may go with a variable speed controller. I have a Mark VIII ready to install. It's dual speed. Wiring for city driving, low speed for A/C activation, high speed for engine cooling. A bypass for city driving will help reduce load on long trips.

Can you wire in a manual switch so that is runs off engine temp normally but you could switch them on if the AC starts warming up?

[gchemist]

Yes, all I need is a switch to ground the activation relay. The ideal solution would be do what Dodge did a few years ago. The radiator and condensor were seperated and angled from each other. Each could operate independent from each other with electric fans.

[andrewmp6]

Hyatt you forgot cutlass but any g body with the same engine will do.But being the age those cars are the lines you find might be just as bad i would buy a new one.