Converting to a 96 style serpentine setup. Need some help

[UATahoe]

In the process of converting the front end accessories on my 87 to a one belt setup from a 96 pickup. Switching from the R4 compressor to the HT6. Is it not possible to reuse my old ac compressor lines and ac block? I mated them up to the new compressor and they seem like they fit. Am I not taking something in to account? Thanks guys!
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[pontgta]

as long as it seals you are good. Did it use the same type of oring? I thought they had different type? please post pics of the process and issues you run into....

[UATahoe]

I will take some better pictures tomorrow. It looked like it fit perfectly. I took it directly off of my R4 and attached it right to the HT6 compressor. I am going to give it a shot and see how it goes. I will keep everyone posted.
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[Jonboy]

Don't forget to get the corresponding water pump.

[UATahoe]

I did indeed. Got it installed this evening actually. I am slowly getting the puzzle together.
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[hatzie]

If I knew the R4 hoses would fit the HT6 I would've used them when I installed the '96 6.5L in my '76.
I hand built a hybrid set instead. Nice piece of info for other folks there...

[UATahoe]

They may still leak. Who knows. Gonna give it a shot though.
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[gchemist]

Take the hoses to an A/C shop. They can crimp the correct connection. If they leak, you'll waste a good R134 charge and accumulator. R12 lines are not recommended for R134. The R134 molecule is smaller. It will leach through the old hoses. R134 hoses have a barrier between the inner and outter walls. I had new hoses made for my serpentine conversion for $100.

[UATahoe]

gchemist, the hoses are actually new ones from advanced auto. They are factory replacements for my 87 and are made for r134a. At least thats what they said. Just before i tackled this project i had to replace the old hoses due to a cut in one. Got the new set from advanced for $35. I was hoping i could reuse them since they are brand new. Thats why i tried them out.

If i took hoses to the shop would they reuse the connectors i have and recrimp to new hose? Or would they need new connectors?

[gchemist]

Oh, you have the correct hoses. The shop would just crimp the correct HT6 fitting. The crimp is easily cut with a small hacksaw or wheel cutter. You can cut the crimps for them or they'll do it. It's a good investment, plus they can bend the fitting to route around your engine. I suggest driving it there and have them measure and draw bending diagrams. I drove mine to the shop for hoses. Picked them up the next day. Hose are properly routed and bent.

[UATahoe]

I will check around to see if anybody around here does that. I tried a few places and came up empty. Thats why i was going to give the old ones a shot. They fit perfectly and and fit pretty much exactly like they did before the compressor swap. Is the fitting really that much different? I mean it fit perfect and tightened right up with no problems.

[gchemist]

The only way to know is to connect them and put them under vacuum. If they hold, then they will seal. Look for A/C compressor rebuild shop. If you find the HT6 fitting from a boneyard, you can go to a hydraulic hose place too. The shop uses the same cripping tool.

[UATahoe]

Cool deal. I bought all of the front end accessories and brackets from a 96 truck. I also snagged the whole ac line set with the block. The hoses are really cumbersome though and bulky. Plus the fitting end is different than what my accumulator uses.

[gchemist]

I swapped to a later model accumulator on my conversion. Use the best combo of hoses and parts for proper routing. After installing, cover the accumulator with black tar paper. It will hold cold temps better.

[UATahoe]

Thanks for the tips! Do you know where i can find the seals that are used between the ac block and the compressor? I am guessing i need to replace those just to make sure i get a good seal. The seal i currently have looked rather old. And i think that there was only a seal on one side of the R4. Not both. It looked like a thick piece of felt, kinda like the things you put on the bottom of furniture. LOL

[gchemist]

Any parts store or A/C compressor rebuilding place will have them.