Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

greencar on Tue March 15, 2011 10:01 PM

Year: 1955
Make: chevy
Model: bel air
Engine Size: 350
Refrigerant Type: 134
Country of Origin: United States

I have an after market system in a 1955 Chevy. It has a 508 Sanden compressor with flare fittings and a copper tube and fin condenser. It started out as an R-12 system in the mid 90's and now has 134 in it. So my initial questions are can/should the Sanden compressor be converted to O ring fittings? Should I consider installing a parallel flow condenser in place of the tube and fin? The change to R-134 was never done properly and I need to recharge the system yearly. Will the compressor support both rear and front evaporters if I want to add a rear unit? I plan to flush the system.

robs on Wed March 16, 2011 11:32 AM

If you are converting to 134a, I would insist changing the condenser to a parallel flow. We have various sizes HERE, so just search for the one which will best fit your vehicle. As far as the rest of the system goes, definitely change the drier, not sure if those are flared fittings as well, but THIS universal drier is what I would recommend using, plus it has a switch port which is needed when using 134a. (for a BINARY SWITCH). Change out the expansion device. Like you mentioned, flush the rest of the components, evap, hoses, and compressor. As far as I know, there isn't anything that will change your flared fittings over to o-ring, so you're stuck with that compressor or you can always change the COMPRESSOR to an o-ring design. Your compressor should be good enough to run dual systems.

Edited: Wed March 16, 2011 at 11:46 AM by robs

mk378 on Wed March 16, 2011 8:43 PM

Check for leaks before taking anything apart. If you find a leak in a part that you're planning to save you'll know to fix it. Definitely upgrade to PF condenser. The people here who build custom systems tend to recommend the V7 compressor whenever it will fit, it has lots of capacity and a self-regulating design that makes the electrical controls simple.