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85 K5 - New AC or fix old?

RSAP

RSAP

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Lake Havasu/Rancho Cucamonga
looking for advice on how to get AC working... previous owner says AC was disconnected already when he purchased 15 years ago.. I’ve got basic mechanical skills and tools, and can follow instructions . I’ve also got the Hanes manual.

Aside from taking to a shop, any thoughts on how to know if I’ve got the necessary parts or missing any? Anyone have pics of theirs? I’ll post pics of mine shortly

Came across a good thread on AC options but post is 15 years old and not sure how much of the info is still valid.. https://ck5.com/forums/threads/air-conditioning-options-updated.77425/

appreciate the help
 
Only pic I’ve got at the moment is from previous owner from when he posted for sale.. this pic shows the hoses connected to compressor but I’m pretty sure they were disconnected when I got it . Anyway, here’s all I got for pics until I’m back home

B86ED357-9449-4B01-A971-61BB92BD8D57.jpeg
 
Fixing the old is cheaper, but a few guys love the vintage air ($$$) setup. If you fix the old I have 2 tips: 1, get a NEW compressor, not a reman, and 2, use a new style parallel flow condenser. The old style serpentine condensor just don't work well with the new refrigerants.

Flush the hell out of everything and fill to the proper spec for whatever gas you use.
 
Replacing original is probably the easiest since you can get a feel for it taking it apart.
New components, especially the compressor like said. Lubricate the orings. No need to be stingy.
 
The only reason to get new, would be that compressor, they have no longevity, coils melt front seals leak, remanufactured are .... questionable.
Personally I will not own a R4 or R6
 
Ok so here’s a closer look at AC..

1) looks like the left hose from compressor is disconnected, instead of that line going into the top of condensor (per diagram).. it’s dangling
2) it looks the the metal line coming out of bottom of evaporater core is not connected to anything..
3) the AC diagram shows the parts But not where they connect to... for example #12 and #7.. doesn’t show where these connect to..

E4A23325-48BA-45D5-BE1D-B2E37032B41C.jpeg

F019044A-8C8B-4941-855B-BDA92AB10664.jpeg

FE4FCBF4-82A7-47F0-A3CF-E9AAE7987314.jpeg

3AA08813-56B8-44A4-97C2-D4F4A9A7130C.jpeg

0F76C539-BFE7-4C03-9A05-CCCDEDF6B35F.jpeg

46BEFC05-2CFA-4530-83F7-ECFCA85ED3E3.jpeg

395F8EDE-92E0-4C7A-A1AD-5D7E6E6E3836.png
 
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Is the condenser in front of the radiator? #1 in diagram
Make sure that compressor will turn. You should be able turn the front disc by hand, not the pully with the belt, just the disc.
 
Wes Harden said:
Is the condenser in front of the radiator?
Make sure that compressor will turn. You should be able turn the front disc by hand, not the pully with the belt, just the disc.
Click to expand...
Yes. Condenser is in front of radiator. Is that normal? The hoses seem to say otherwise. If anyone has pics of standard setup, please share. Thx
 
I couldn't see the condenser side of the connections. The two female nut lines in your 2nd to last pic attach to the condenser.
 
Wes Harden said:
I couldn't see the condenser side of the connections. The two female nut lines in your 2nd to last pic attach to the condenser.
Click to expand...
One of my neighbors has a square body sub. Going to ask I can take take a peak at his. This is tough to figure out without seeing how hoses are supposed to be connected.
 
I would fix what you have, even if you have to get a compressor, condenser, drier, and orifice tube. I like how the factory stuff works in my '90.
I had a vintage air system in my '70 and took it out because I didn't like the performance in the winter or during rain storms.
 
(Disclaimer: I’m not a mechanic )

Ok, pulled off the front grill and looks like what I thought was condensor but instead I think is a transmission cooler? .. and maybe I don’t have a condensor.. (scratching head)... once I pulled the hoses off, i noticed red fluid (is that transmission fluid?)... either I’m missing condensor and don’t know the factory mount location or it’s location has been replace with tranny cooler... ?

Here’s what I’m looking

8822952F-3E67-46EB-BE7E-700F1007CD6E.jpeg
 
The condenser has been removed, it should be right behind the radiator and in front of the add on trans cooler. The system has been left open to the air. New compressor, new condenser, new "O" rings all around. New orifice tube and accumulator.
 
While you have the grill out, I would put some rubber, or hose around the transmission cooler hoses where they go through the radiator support. The one going through the hole could rub the edge of the hole and get a leak. Check the lower one and see where it may need protection.
You will probably need to find a pair of upper mounts for the condenser. They are formed sheet metal to hold a rubber pad, and a tab for a screw to hold it to the 3ngine side of the radiator support. You will have to lay the radiator back towards the engine to install the condenser. You may have to pull the fan shroud out, but I am not positive. I pull just the upper half of mine as I have pulled the staples holding the 2 halves together and installed screws and U-nuts.
There is a parallel flow condenser available for these that works fairly well and fits decent. Spectra-premium makes one that I got from Rock-auto. And if you order from them, use the 5% discount code that they post up in the vendor section.
A condenser will fit behind that cooler with no problem.
 
I just remembered that @500$k5 put a Ferd orifice tube in his and was pleased with the results. I am not positive, but I believe that he said it was a blue one. Hopefully he will confirm which one.
 
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