Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

To change or not to change

Don on Sat January 19, 2008 12:14 PM User is offline

Year: 1987
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Pickup
Engine Size: 350
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Ambient Temp: 95
Pressure Low: na
Pressure High: na
Country of Origin: United States

I have a couple of questions for you experienced AC guys. I’m restoring a 1987 Chevy full-sized pickup and I’m considering making some changes to the AC system. I need to replace the old tube and fin condenser anyway so I’m considering buying a new parallel flow unit for a 1995 Chevy truck and modifying the radiator support to make it fit in the 87. The units are approximately the same size, 16 inches by 27 inches, with the inlet and outlets on the same side. At this point I have the hood, finders, inter finders, bumper and grille off the truck so it’s not a big deal to pull the support off to make the modifications. My first question…can the 87 factory hoses be modified to connect to the 95 unit? Inlet on the 87 condenser is ¾-16 male o-ring, outlet is 5/8-18 male o-ring, on the 95 unit both inlet and outlet are M20 x 1.5 male o-ring. Now the big question…. is it worth doing this? The 87 condenser is fairly large, 432 square inches, will it be efficient enough to cool the cab well with the truck idling and outside temp around 95 degrees using R134a?

tony1963 on Sat January 19, 2008 1:56 PM User is offline

I have an 85 Suburban, basically same system, excepting for the 7.4L V8. I did a full retrofit several years ago and am generally pleased with the results. At idle in hot weather, the vent temperature does rise.

Personally, I would not be swapping anything from OEM unless you could have documented 15% or more heat exchange. My advice is to buy an aftermarket direct fit condenser for this vehicle, saving hours off the job and change everything, including lines, drier, orifice tube and pressure switch.



-------------------------
Grove Automotive Group, Inc.

An Alabama Corporation

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.