72 Sub factory A/C

[justsomeguy]

I am working on a 72 Suburban. I am trying to locate the factory hose assembly going to the compressor and need to find out what other years and maybe chevy trucks that might use the same assembly so I can comb the junk yards. I am trying to refurbise the factory A/C setup and it looks like the PO lost these parts when he disassembled it.

Thanks for any help you guys and gals can give me.

[Bigdav160]

I would hesitate to use an old hose assembly without replacing the rubber. This is especially true if you want to use R134a refrigerant. PAG oil quickly eats up the older hose material.

I think the hoses were generally the same on all V8 67-72 models. My parts book list a different hose for Suburbans with roof air but I'm not sure if that's for models with roof air only. My Suburban hoses look just like any truck hose assembly with the rear refrigerant hoses spliced in.

I think in 1973 trucks went to a long water pump and driver's side compressor. That hose assembly would be too long.

New hoses are available from the usual vendors

[justsomeguy]

Yes, I agree
I planned to put on new hoses, I am interested in finding the hard parts. This Suburban has the rear roof A/C in addition to the front area A/C.
Thank you for your info.

[nate_g_2003]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the upper rear a/c went into the 73 or 74 burbs as well, with maybe some minor cosmetic differences in the outer shroud/housing.

[lrader99]

If you do not plan to reuse the hose then there's not much point in having the hose assembly. The fittings are not reusable. Also a converted R134 system should have Ester oil in it not PAG. You can run Ester oil through non-barrier style hoses. My 72 AC system is original except for new refrigerant, proper R134 fittings and new Receiver/Drier.

[Bigdav160]

I've crimped many ferrules, is there a reason these lines are different?

Admittedly,I have a prejudiced view of ester. I have a engineering buddy at GM. After showing me slides of compressor damage, he'd say "there's a reason the OEM's use PAG oil"

Years ago, someone gave me three gallons of ester. I've been afraid to use it.

[tlcrz1972]

Definitely the fittings are not reusable, go down to your local auto parts store and they can look up the correct fittings and order them.

I've used pag in several systems so far and have had great performance. Good luck on 134 working with the big A6 compressor, I've tried several times and only got slightly cool air.

Then I changed up and went to the small pancake compressor with the identical setup and BOOM cold air.

I make my systems like the 1973 and up configuration, and got away from that miserable POA valve style setup.