Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Dave in Texas on Fri February 03, 2012 9:10 AM

Year: 1981
Make: Ford
Model: F100
Engine Size: 300cid-6
Refrigerant Type: R-12

http://www.autoacforum.com/forumimages/Vapor line 003.jpg http://www.autoacforum.com/forumimages/Vapor line 004.jpg

OE hoses 30+yrs old so I sent all in for rebuilding. Vapor line can not be rebuilt because the female end-fitting to the condenser is not available. I've been trying to find out what the function of the spring-loaded valves contained within the brass fittings is/are, to no avail. Just read post from James Howard about similar problem and I believe that is the SAME ISSUE I have. Years ago a guy say he'd get rid of this disconnect, but I never pressed him why or what issue that could bring up. Now I know.

The Ford SM has this disconnect pictured, but that pic doesn't depict the valves within it. It too recommends discarding it with systems that do not have manual shut-offs at the compressor.....mine has them. I have no problem tossing the valves, but that line in the SM about the manual shut-offs at the compressor has had me perplexed. Does this make sense(?): if I leave the manual shut-offs on the compressor Open and nevernevernever activate them or break that vapor line at the disconnect...I'm good to go?

I'd really rather have a new rubber line, but at the same time I have a filter fits in the condenser outlet line (a $17 part already bought) that I want to retain. Option given was to have that end cut off the condenser (goodbye filter) and weld on the appropriate fitting for the new vapor line. Not much to my liking. Line not available from Ford anymore, nor from NOS Ford parts supplier. (Ford#E4TZ19837B)

Have flushed the condenser and evaporator, have rebuilt compressor, new accumulator, new orfice tube and nice newly rebuilt hoses ready to install. Vapor line issue is delaying the process.

" if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is an old adage that I very much adhere to and maybe this is the time to invoke it. My big concern is the age of that high-pressure/high-temp line. It was not leaking. Sage advice needed. Thanks, I appreciate any help.

Dave



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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!

Dave in Texas on Sat February 04, 2012 8:59 AM

nevermind....thanks

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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!

TRB on Sat February 04, 2012 10:27 AM

What did you come up with?

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Dave in Texas on Sun February 05, 2012 10:31 AM

The line is still available! $41+tax local parts store. Will see what shows up Tuesday....
Here's what happened: Local Ford store searched their parts locator system with no result but I got the OE Ford part number from them. Forum friend in Colorado also searched the Ford locator parts system and came up with the line at a Ford dealer in Houston, of all places....(right down the street a ways) Price was $85+tax+shipping = close to $100, for this 20" line. Same friend gave the the Motorcraft part #, so then I asked around the local aftermarket stores. All were able to cross one number or the other, to a Murray #. Even found the line at LMC. Local parts store found 2 in Houston and since they had the best price, they got my business.
Whole experience goes into memory bank for upcoming rebuild on my '87 DeVille. Going back to R12 with that rebuild.
Weather was great for finishing this job, but the issue with the line screwed-up the weather-window, prolly for a few months.

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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!

TRB on Sun February 05, 2012 6:13 PM

Good deal. Makes the repair a little easier that way.

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Dave in Texas on Wed February 08, 2012 6:39 PM

Rec'd new line Tuesday morning. A tad shorter than the OE line and no disconnect. Unfortunately the nut on the evaporator end would not screw on to the evap line. Parts store ordered the other line that was in Houston and it arrived this morning. Both terminal ends screwed on normally. Second line came with both internal and external protectors at the ends, where the 1st one didn't. Anyway all lines are new now. Once I get the compressor oil charge figured out, which I made a post about, I can put system back together and proceed.

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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!

Dave in Texas on Sat February 11, 2012 11:56 AM

It ain't over yet. A retired Ford parts guru sent me a message about this number business. It seems there is another line for the same year with the factory York system. He also informs me there are OE lines at 3 Ford dealerships with either one or the other Ford part numbers. This Murray line I have is a tad shorter then the OE line and does not have the same configuration.

http://www.autoacforum.com/forumimages/Murray line.jpg

Will continue trying to find a match to the OE. The Murray line is a tad shorter. I can make it work, by maneuvering the condenser and evaporator steel lines, but don't really want to mess with them much.


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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!