A/C Reinstall/Conversion questions

I'm getting ready to reinstall the A/C back into my car here pretty soon... hopefuly, and I have afew questions... I know very little about a/c systems so bare with me. How would I test or what kind of shop can test some parts like the condensor, evaporator, expansion valve, dryer, hoses, etc?
Can someone direct me to a maverick Air Conditioning hose diagram that will show me what hose goes to what part?
Can A/C hoses be made at home like custom high pressure fuel and brake hoses? or could I get some custom made at a affordable price? I can't even find replacement hoses at least not at autozone, checker, or rockauto. I wounder if there are adapters that can connect stock hoses from/to the expansion valve to the doner compressor/dryer...
The plan is to use a newer compressor from a salvage yard. Do all automotive compressors rotate the same direction?
If I do end up using mostly stock parts what o-ring kit should I get? I checked out checker the other day and they have two kits, a small one or about $5 and a large one for around $25. I know I need the R-134a compatible o-rings.
Thank you.

 

Once you have all the hard parts together and installed, let me know I can swing by your place one day after work and bring my vaccuum pump and gauges. I may even have enough gas to do it but I would have to double check, been a while since I charged anything 134a.

I may even have half a bottle of nitrogen left, but like I said its been a while.

 

Also I hope Dave Boyer steps in here, he is our resident a/c guy and I am sure has a whole lot more experience in this situation than I do

 

If you go with a different compressor bring the hoses you have with you to get the hoses modified or get all new hoses made. I had new hoses made for my old truck and it was as cheap or cheaper than what most new hoses sell for. I use a place on 67th ave and olive. I think its called RMAC, its on the NW corner next to a repair shop. they can make any length/size hose you need and crimp whatever end you want on it.

 

The hose diagram I'm looking for would show me which hose from the compresser would go to which part... dryer, expansion valve... which hole of the expansion valve goes to what part... I'm sure when I get a compresser I can turn it and feel which one is pushing and which is pulling. on the expansion valve which is the IN and which is the OUT? top in/out? bottom in/out?

is this diagram relevant;


Would any shop be able to blow everthing out with nitrogen? and would everything need to be installed for that? or can I just show up with the parts and have it done?

I appreciate all the info thus far.

 

Something here might help you:
http://1bad6t.com/Maverick/repair/exploded_views_ventilation.html

 

I would blow out with nitrogen prior to each part being installed then seal until installed. Then when system is installed in car do it again then do a pressure check on it with nitrogen, if it holds pressure for 30 minutes you should be good. Than evacuate nitrogen, then pull vaccuum on system for 30 minutes holding about 29 in vac. let sit for 30 minutes than make sure it held vac. If so go ahead and charge it.

A quick how it works I really didnt read it but it looked correct for my brief overview.
http://www.air-conditioning-and-ref...r-conditioning-circuit-and-cycle-diagram.html

Long story short contamination kills compressors, avoid it at all cost by keeping everything free of contamination.

Theres also another topic of the story involving compressor oil, I will let someone else explain that the way I do it is not the right way maybe someone else can give a better explanation of how the right way to do it is.

 

Converting can be easy and it can also be a nightmare and not work as well as the original. One thing to keep in mind is that you cant just convert hoses from newer a/c's and expect everything to work. Ford cars in the 70's used an expansion valve method to cool the freon. This system is long gone and todays cars use an accumulator. First step is to find out which type of a/c system you want. They make whats called engine bay conversion which allow you to keep the expansion valve system and replace everything from the firewall forward. If your not worried about keeping things stock and want the best kick butt a/c system you really need a total conversion to an accumulator method, this is going to require you to replace the evaprator.

 

where can I get nitrogen? I didn't think it's the type of stuff they would sell to the general public

 

You can at a welding supply store, but you also need a regulator hose and fittings. In your situation I would go to a tire shop that advertises free nitrogen refills in the area and pay them a little to do the mitrogen work for you. saves you from buying a bunch of stuff you don't need very often.

 

alright thanks I'll look into that.

 

Where do you want me to start?
There is no use having your system blown out, unless it's going to be sealed properly after.
Buying a junkyard compressor is a gamble, you don't know if it worked in the first place, then you don't know whats been done to it. If someone had done any work to it in the past, who knows what could be in it, which could mess up the rest of your system. Some of these over the counter sealers and leak detectors are pretty messy.

The best way to go about it is, remove your evaporator (inside your heater box) take it to any A/C shop, and they should be able to pressure test it to see if its any good to start with. It's a lot of work, to get it out, but if it's bad to begin with, you'd want to know before you get everything else done.
Then have your condenser tested, and you should have the drier rebuilt. there have been some posts on here about getting that done, pretty reasonable.
Hoses are your next issue, if you change to a newer style compressor, your probably looking at having some hoses made, or buying a kit (a 68 Mustang should be pretty close)
R134a, is your best choice, and everything should be matched, o rings, hoses, compressor. You can get away with the R12 condenser, it'll work, not 100% as compared to one designed for 134a, but it'll do. Same goes for the Evaporator, and the Expansion Valve (with they still use in Fords today, and are much better than some of the alternatives out there)
Properly assembled, evacuated and charged, you should have a reliable A/C system.
Trying to do it with used parts, and just making it work, is a waste of money.
Anything else, let me know.

 

Dave is totally correct and I highly recommend you take his advice!

I learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago. Now I just bite the bullet, order a NEW evaporator & condensor from the start when I can, and replace all the hoses.

If you have a local NAPA, they can usually custom make the hoses for you too.

If I'm putting a newer compressor on an older vehicle I'll run down to my local Pick-N-Pull, get the unit I need along with the all the brackets and the hose connected to the compressor, use the compressor as a trade in core for when I purchase a new one, and use the compressor fittings off the purchased hose and the original vehicle ends to have a custom hose made.

Once everything is together, I pretty much follow what has been said already, except I tend to extend the wait times on the testing. It's just a personal preferance, but I like to make completely sure everything is 100% sealed and ready to work.

Hope this helps,
-Scott H.

 

these guys are on the money. I have a universal condenser that I picked to fit into the size area the maverick has and I'm using the stock evaporator. I would also replace the de-icing switch in the evaporator housing while you're there and reseal the heater box as the OEM foam is probably gone or will be when you take it apart(of special interest is the round opening into the blower housing and the temperature blend door). I was able to get a replacement dryer by fitting size and make sure it is for R-134a as the dessicant material is different. when they make the hoses make sure to tell them it is for R-134a also as the hose material is a barrier type so it won't be as prone to leakage. I was also able to get an expansion block for our application for R-134a( apparently it is still a popular replacement on something) and it works with our evaporator no problem. DO NOT use a used compressor for anything other than a core! It's not like an alternator, you can just bolt it on and check it. If the compressor fails, it usually trashes the entire system. Fit the biggest condenser you can on the front due to R-134a's ability to release heat and the system will work much better. and also make sure you have plenty of airflow (electric cooling fan would be almost necessary for good performance at idle) Stay cool and happy Mavericking!!

(these are just my opinions based on what experience I have on my installation)

 

where would I find a evaporator? I've done afew searches but came up with nothing. the only parts I can find for the a/c system is the dryer, compressor, expansion valve, and condensor thats it...