A/C Compressor change advice

[Sodell]

I am about to change the A/C Compressor in my 87. Any suggestions? Should I also change the seals in the lines? ect...

[bigd65]

Probably the condenser. The 134 is thicker than the original 12 and in turn causes mine to growl... Was told it was due to the thinker 134 being forced through the 12 condenser .. I'm not an AC guy so I really don't know

[Katrina/10]

Always change the O-rings in anything you take apart. Usually the compressor warranty will require you to buy an accumulator and orifice tube also.

[gchemist]

Ditch the stock compressor for a Saden model. http://www.sanden.com/
They work a lot better. Any new condensor should be a R134 crossflow type. Check to be sure. I bought mine at Orielly's. Part # 2083 You know the difference because it has multiple tubes running across instead of a single tube that wraps back and forth. Buy some black tar paper and wrap it around the accumulator and lines. Use alcohol or A/C line flush can to blow out any junk. Change all the seals.

[Sodell]

Thanks for the advice!

[gchemist]

BTW, you can buy a Saden compressor with R4 style hose connections. If your hoses are stock, I suggest you replace them. The R134 molecule is smaller. It will leach out over time in F12 hoses. R134 hoses have a plastic barrier between outter and inner walls to keep it in.

[Sodell]

I guess Orielly's does not carry that condenser anymore, they called and were unable to order one. Advance has one I am going to look at this week. Are the new hoses I can get stock from the parts store rated for R134?

[hatzie]

Parallel flow condenser upgrade is worthwhile as they are more efficient for any refrigerant.
Update to barrier hoses and seals for R134. New accumulator dryer and adjustable LP cutoff switch.
Adding a variable orifice valve is worthwhile.

Flush the evaporator and original lines to get rid of most of the R12 Mineral Oil. Fill the compressor with a proper charge of Ester Oil with UV leak detection dye.

Updating the Harrison R4 radial compressor to a Sanden compressor with R4 hose fitting head is worthwhile.

When all is said and done you have a custom AC setup. The charge procedure is different from stock where you can charge by known weight and pressure...

[Sodell]

I finally got all the pieces in. I got a new compressor, a new condenser (the one recommended above), new dryer, orifice tube, cleaner. Have everything apart and ready to put back together. I am wondering if anyone knows if I have to remove the (valve) off of the back and put it on the new one? The screw driver is pointing to what I am talking about, and the new compressor has a plug with what loos like a little bit of green on the back. Sorry for the bad photo, any help appreciated?

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