CUTLASS OEM 85 vs. 87 V8 A/C Hose Assemblies Not The Same

[69hurstolds]

Hoses are scheduled to be delivered today to the hose shop for getting new rubber section of the hoses installed with supposedly the factory style crimps. Yay.

Had some USPS issues getting my Schrader neoprene seal cores (they claim they got lost or something) so rather than wait around, I got some GM valves because I KNOW they're USA cores from Schrader. Rockauto.com had the best prices for them. Only around 5 and 6 bucks each instead of 15. I got them in yesterday and THEN I get a notice they're going to send out new valve core pack for the Schrader neoprenes to replace the missing ones....I should be set for life. I hate when they make you buy a bulk thing. Good thing is they're small, so a million of them fits in a coffee cup. 🙂

For comparison, the only real difference is the neoprene seal and unplated core pieces on the #3041827 cores. The 25872392 cores are meant for R134a and newer refrigerants. Only difference between the OG style valves is that they're green HBNR seal ring and nickel plated entirely. Ratings are the same. Apparently the green rings will hold up better if using anything other than R12.

HBNR seals

 

[69hurstolds]

Well......well........well.......

I don't think I would use Cold Hose in Ocala, FL for any restoration project again. Now, this isn't to say their construction and workmanship are bad, because what they made was what I requested, and the dimensions done right, and basically did what I asked. I got a functional hose assembly with new hoses using the original fittings. Pressure tested and good to go.

However, for restoration services--- NO. What I got was all new fittings and hose end pieces and hoses, so in effect, I have a "new" hose assembly. Maybe the discussion with them originally got lost in translation. They could restore the hose to its former glory. Which they did. But the fittings, while functional, didn't quite match up to my originals in diameters, so they had to expand or reduce the metal ends accordingly to make them fit. Now, will Joe Passerby notice? Eh, probably not. Maybe. But unlikely. Will I notice? Of course. I'm going to run it because labor and hose was $75 for each hose (which it's within their estimates of 70-90 per hose), plus the cost of 4 fittings and 4 sleeves, and add on to that the shipping. I was lead to believe 140-180 would cover the entire repair, but oh, well. Ended up costing me darn near as much as the ACDelco ones. The hoses are Goodyear Galaxy standard barrier hoses good for multiple refrigerants, so I'm ok with that.

I guess it was because I was spoiled by my "old hose guy" at the hose shop locally. He had retired and their quality went downhill.

I'm sending them. But just want to let you know that it's getting harder to get things restored correctly anymore. Function over correctness I suppose. Anyway, just thought I'd let everyone know that although they did a great job, it's not exactly what I was hoping for.

Accumulator end had to be expanded, as well as the condenser end of the small hose. Noted the rolled fitting stop on the outside of the sleeve was removed as well. At least they installed new HNBR green o-rings on it.

Small hose needed to be necked down. Suction hose needed to be expanded a little.