Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info

[nlped]

And, now there ordered , along with an Auburn posi that I found for a smokin' deal and all the bearings and seals

I'll be askin' you lots of questions now that I have made the decision to put the 5.3 in the Blazer

[bigdnew]

Where did you find the set up.

Originally Posted by nlped

And, now there ordered , along with an Auburn posi that I found for a smokin' deal and all the bearings and seals

I'll be askin' you lots of questions now that I have made the decision to put the 5.3 in the Blazer

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by nlped

Is the a/c done yet

LOL, funny you ask. The parts house just called to say that the condenser I ordered is in. I have all the major parts I need other than o-rings and the manifold seals. I can probably get those tomorrow.

Originally Posted by nlped

And, now there ordered , along with an Auburn posi that I found for a smokin' deal and all the bearings and seals

I'll be askin' you lots of questions now that I have made the decision to put the 5.3 in the Blazer

Ask away!

[nlped]

Hey BigDNew, I shot you a pm so I'm not hijacking Bob's thread...too much

[nlped]

Wouldn't the stock condensor work? Or was it "time" for one?

[bigdnew]

Originally Posted by nlped

Hey BigDNew, I shot you a pm so I'm not hijacking Bob's thread...too much

ditto, sorry bob.

[glock35ipsc]

No problem guys!

I wanted to replace the condenser and the accumulator with new ones, 1] because of switching from R12 to R134A it is easier to just swap them than to clean them both of the old refrigerant and oil, and 2] the OEM condenser was a little ratty looking and was tweaked here and there. The accumulator had already been replace some time ago with a R134A compatible one, but it was only $30-something for a new one so I figured WTH.

[nlped]

Gotcha! And I always replace the accumulator if I open the system...it's will get contaminated with a quickness.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

No problem guys!

I wanted to replace the condenser and the accumulator with new ones, 1] because of switching from R12 to R134A it is easier to just swap them than to clean them both of the old refrigerant and oil, and 2] the OEM condenser was a little ratty looking and was tweaked here and there. The accumulator had already been replace some time ago with a R134A compatible one, but it was only $30-something for a new one so I figured WTH.

Bob,
Is it the R12 oil or residue that kills the direct swap out to r134? I think the 86 has been changed to r134 not sure. I know the "descicant dryer" should be changed any time the system is cracked, but not sure about the accumulator.?
I thought about just changing the dryer and orings and doing the r134 conversion, I assume since I don't know what is in there I should just change everything? You know how much that will cost on the oem parts not LS? Remember, this is a super low buck project.here

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I know the "descicant dryer" should be changed any time the system is cracked, but not sure about the accumulator.?

The receiver drier and accumulator is the same thing basically.

I thought about just changing the dryer and orings and doing the r134 conversion, I assume since I don't know what is in there I should just change everything? You know how much that will cost on the oem parts not LS?

If you blow out the system you should be OK with just the accumulator. A new one was $30-something, and the condenser was $110.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

The receiver drier and accumulator is the same thing basically.


If you blow out the system you should be OK with just the accumulator. A new one was $30-something, and the condenser was $110.

Okay thanks, I was thinking the accumulator is the coil that the fan blows the cold air across. My bad.

[glock35ipsc]

That one is the evaporator.

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

No problem guys!

I wanted to replace the condenser and the accumulator with new ones, 1] because of switching from R12 to R134A it is easier to just swap them than to clean them both of the old refrigerant and oil, and 2] the OEM condenser was a little ratty looking and was tweaked here and there. The accumulator had already been replace some time ago with a R134A compatible one, but it was only $30-something for a new one so I figured WTH.

There will be absolutely no R12 left after a proper vacuum. The accumulator does need to be R134A compatible due the desiccant bags. R134A will generally destroy the R12 bags. The old oil (3G mineral oil) does not need to be removed. The old oil will settle in the low points and in the compressor and not affect the system any more. A little 3G oil will keep the compressor a little cooler.

[QUOTE=glock35ipsc;3896883]The receiver drier and accumulator is the same thing basically.

Not even close. The are the opposite of one another. Both do have desiccant bags. The receiver only lets high pressure liquid pass and the accumulator only lets low pressure gas pass. The receiver system uses a TXV system and the accumulator uses an orifice system.

Replacing the desiccant any time you open the system is completely unnecessary unless you leave the system open for many hours, like all night with high humidity. A good vacuum pump will be able to pull out any moisture after a few hours. Vacuum is of utmost importance when servicing a refrigerant system.

[JCampbell]

*Subscribed*

[glock35ipsc]

So where is the receiver on my 85?

[fpjr0]

Originally Posted by djracer

Which tach do you have? Part number please? Most autometers have loops that you cut to select 4,6 or 8 cylinders.

As far as the resistor I wouldn't think the resistor being 1/2 watt in stead of 1/4 watt would not matter.

I dont know the part # however
just in case some of you run into the same problem when installing a tach. I did the resistor trick, and it works... just the needle kind of vibrates but works good,, here is a pic.... sorry about the constant threadjacking Bob gonna start my own so I can stop jacking threads lol

[djracer]

this should be the tach you have but you have to use a paper clip to flip switches.

http://www.autometer.com/productPDF/...sh%20tach).pdf

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by buckshot305

Bob, did you ever start on the write-up/FAQ? I understand why if you haven't; it's hard to go back over so many details and organize it after you've finished a project. Their is a wealth of information in your thread, it's just hard to find specific info. I had to go back to page 1 and speed read through, bookmarking things as I went. Also, I must have missed it, but why are you replacing the rubber FI hose with SS? Did it start leaking?

Thanks,
Travis

I'm slowly working on it. Really busy at work and home.

As for the fuel line, I'm replacing the line from the filter to the furl rail. It's about 4' or so, and I'm jut not all that comfortable with that much rubber. So I'm just replacing that stretch with braided. I should have done that from the beginning, but I didn't.

Got a late start today after having brunch with my wife's side of the family, then gathering a couple more needed parts. So far I have the AC compressor mounted and a new WeatherPack connector on it. Have the old trans cooler lines out, cut back to just above the starter, and have the AN fittings on them. Came inside for a cup of java and I'm on my way back out now.

[menace121978]

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

So where is the receiver on my 85?

Orifice tube systems do not have receivers. They have accumulators, which you have.

[glock35ipsc]

That's kind of what I meant when I said they are basically the same thing. It either has a receiver, or an accumulator. Not both. Yet they both share the same basic functions of filtering debris, storing liquid, and removing moisture.

[Driveway Dreams]

Good progress again! I say A/C is over rated...of course I say otherwise as soon as it hits 80* here. So, real A/C would be nice in the truck. (Instead of the "2-50 air")

[glock35ipsc]

I know, right?! 'Cause it's like, we're in Colorado. And it snows year 'round!

My new helper, ready to....um, help:


It's back in!!! The connections are a little tight, but it'll work. I bent them up and toward center just a little. The bottom one in the pic will get either a 90° or 135° fitting so it can run up between the heater hoses and the rad hose, and the top on will get a 45° so it can come up and around the front side of the rad hose. The shroud is just sitting in there loose, it's not really that close to rad hose.:




Little did I know at the time, but the lines will easily clear the bracket I made for the MAF/air cleaner! I'll use a 90° fitting on the top so I can run it down and under the air cleaner:


I'm going to use all new lines, but I used the old stuff to mock it up so I could measure for the new lines:


Shop manual!


I cut both trans cooler lines off near the starter, then added the AN fittings and ran SS braided up to the radiator. The lines are now ran under the engine stand along the inside of the frame and completely out of the way of the compressor:


New fuel line (top), old fuel line (bottom):


I'll probably run to NAPA today and get the 90°, 135° and 45° fittings for the compressor end so I can see what is going to work the best. Once I figure that out, I'll have them crimp the 2 fittings on to about 4' of hose. Then I can figure out the best way to route them and mark the hoses where they need to be cut and the orientation of the fittings to be crimped on the other end.

[6772owner]

Looking good as always Bob, cant wait to see the truck again in July!

[glock35ipsc]

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to July.

I got everything ordered for the AC just a little while ago. Hose, fittings, o-rings, sealing washers, solder.... all that jazz from Docs Blocks. About $52 for all that! Not bad. Also ordered a new aluminum line that runs from the evaporator to the condenser.

I also bought a crimp tool for the hose fittings. I'm sure I could take the hoses to someone to do the crimping, but I like doing this stuff myself. And I know it will see use again. My brother needs to put new hoses on his 72 soon, and the 69 my Dad is building will be getting AC also.