AC Advice Needed

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tngbody

Greasemonkey
Sep 17, 2019
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I am in the process of trying to source parts to redo the AC in my 82 MC. The engine has been changed to a SBC with the serpentine belt system. The AC condenser that I have has the lines on the passenger side. I basically need everything from this point. I have read a few posts on here pertaining to this kind of system but wanted to make sure I am looking at the correct parts. Below are some items that I have in my RockAuto cart waiting for me to order if they are correct. Also I have attached a pic showing my condenser location and the current hose that I have. I am not sure I can still use that hose so I have 2 in the cart just in case I need one of the others. Also I do not have the small line that is needed and no clue where to source one at. Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated. One other thing I noticed that some have a small black plastic ball under the hood that one or two lines connect. I do not have this ball, do I need it or can I do without it?

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rogue_ryder

Master Mechanic
Oct 27, 2017
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One other thing I noticed that some have a small black plastic ball under the hood that one or two lines connect. I do not have this ball, do I need it or can I do without it?
Are you referring to the Vacuum Reservoir?

You can actually pick them up for like $10 at Advance Auto Parts. One port goes to the the intake manifold (at least that's how I have mine hooked up) and the other will run to the inside of the car. There's 2 Vacuum lines that run from under the dash to under the hood. You will need engine Vacuum to properly operate the HVAC inside the car, I am fairly certain my HVAC controls wouldn't work when I didn't have the Vacuum res hooked up and line straight to manifold vacuum. There's a bracket right by the evaporator that the Vacuum Res slides right into. This thread has good details on the HVAC Vacuum line routing: https://gbodyforum.com/threads/help-with-a-c-control-please.83831/

Regarding the hose/hoses, you're probably on the right path with the Olds hoses since the Olds has the Compressor on the Pass side. Hopefully someone whose done the conversion on a SBC chimes in. If not you could order up the Olds hoses and return them if they don't work (maybe buy them on Amazon to save shipping costs).
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(here you can the ball mounted in the Monte location vs the olds location)
 
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383_StealthRam

Greasemonkey
Dec 29, 2016
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Orifice Tube
R134a Pressure Cycling Switch (assuming your going with R134a over R12)

See one of posts from my A/C restore last summer 2021..

 
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tngbody

Greasemonkey
Sep 17, 2019
104
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Orifice Tube
R134a Pressure Cycling Switch (assuming your going with R134a over R12)

See one of posts from my A/C restore last summer 2021..



Is this the pressure switch? If so can I not reuse this one or is it just best to replace it?
 

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383_StealthRam

Greasemonkey
Dec 29, 2016
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Is this the pressure switch? If so can I not reuse this one or is it just best to replace it?
That is the pressure (cycling) switch yes, but as I noted whether you can re-use it or not depends on your choice of refrigerant you're planning to use when you charge the system. Are you replacing the condenser over to a parallel flow type? I highly recommend you do if you're going to use R134a, and R134a uses a slightly different on/off pressure switch. Some may say you can adjust the original switch by turning the slotted screw between the terminals, but for the cost of a new switch made for R134a I would honestly replace it.

If you're using R12 when you recharge, then you can re-use your old one...note unless you're sure it's the original R12 switch I wouldn't assume that unless you're the original owner. A previous owner may have converted it to R134a (look for sticker, or the presence of the adapter fittings) but again to be sure you have the correct switch for the refrigerant you PLAN to use, I would just order a new one.

HTH.
 

tngbody

Greasemonkey
Sep 17, 2019
104
20
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That is the pressure (cycling) switch yes, but as I noted whether you can re-use it or not depends on your choice of refrigerant you're planning to use when you charge the system. Are you replacing the condenser over to a parallel flow type? I highly recommend you do if you're going to use R134a, and R134a uses a slightly different on/off pressure switch. Some may say you can adjust the original switch by turning the slotted screw between the terminals, but for the cost of a new switch made for R134a I would honestly replace it.

If you're using R12 when you recharge, then you can re-use your old one...note unless you're sure it's the original R12 switch I wouldn't assume that unless you're the original owner. A previous owner may have converted it to R134a (look for sticker, or the presence of the adapter fittings) but again to be sure you have the correct switch for the refrigerant you PLAN to use, I would just order a new one.

HTH.
Not sure if my condenser is parallel flow or not, I snagged it on eBay when the supply of condensers was extremely low. I do however plan on using r134a.
 

383_StealthRam

Greasemonkey
Dec 29, 2016
176
389
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Not sure if my condenser is parallel flow or not, I snagged it on eBay when the supply of condensers was extremely low. I do however plan on using r134a.


One on the left is parallel flow (R134a) condenser, the right is the original R12 style. Pretty easy to tell them apart.


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tngbody

Greasemonkey
Sep 17, 2019
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565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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On my Regal I have a V-belt set up but I installed a 355 SBC and made brackets to mount the compressor to the passenger side, I replaced everything in my AC system with Four Seasons replacements for an Olds 307 except for the lines which I made.

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tngbody

Greasemonkey
Sep 17, 2019
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What are you all using for the small low pressure line?
 
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