Need A/C Advice!

My winter project on my '74 246GTS, is to go thru the A/C system and update and clean-up the system as much as possible to improve performance. My question is: Should I buy a new Climate Control version of the old York compressor? My research tells me that the CC compressor, with much higher displacement capacity, may do more harm than good since the rest of the system is not designed to run with that "powerful" of a compressor. The end result could be a 15% or more decrease in cooling and shorter compressor life because of the "unbalanced" system. I assume this would be caused by backpressure within the system. Any A/C engineers or technician out there care to comment? Many FChatters have made the switch to the CC compressor and say it's improved performance. No one is admitting to any compressor failures. Maybe it's too early to know.

Btw, I'll be re-building the fan motors and having the radiator serviced while it's out. Might as well do the valve clearances while the compressor is out . . . and replace all those hoses and . . . !

Bill

 

Scott, it's going very well - - thanks for asking. All of my research, which started with CCI who sent me to Blissfield Manufacturers who sent me to Tucumseh, ended with some interesting facts which I will summarize for all when I'm finished with the project. Short version is that the Aspera SPA A/C compressor, Model HG 700 which was on my Dino is actually a Tucumseh 7 cu. in. displacement unit made under license in Italy by Aspera. The closest thing CCI has is a 9 cu. in.--they make 6, 9 and 10 cu. in. None were in stock (of course), so they are making a batch of 4 EF209R units. It should arrive in about one week.

Meanwhile, I've had the radiator re-cored - - I re-painted it. The a/c condenser cleaned and pressure checked - - I straightened every fin and painted the supporting structure. I've got two new cooling fans - - just painted those today with the proper hammertone silver/grey. I also painted and detailed the now empty area up front - - satin chassis black. After taking the original compressor out, I figured I might as well take off the cam covers and do a valve clearance check. That's complete and I finished cutting all the gaskets yesterday, so that's ready to put back together. As I go along I'm detailing the engine compartment . . . you know how that goes. One thing leads to another. Unfortunately, I've been slowed down a bit by the hernia surgery I had on the 25th, but that's healing well and I'm being careful about not straining.

So I'm happy with my progress and I'll keep you posted.

Bill

 

The Dino is back on the road with many new parts, fresh fluids and a completely tuned engine (God bless Colortune and Synchrometer SK). Idle is smooth as silk.

However, my main project, the A/C, is not done . . . yet! The system is not holding a vacuum. Loses half the vacuum in about 12 hours. The compressor is new and has fresh flange seals and everything else I've touched also has new seals -- connections to new drier and newly pressure checked condenser. The only thing I haven't touched is the evaporator. I'd appreciate any suggestions on how to check it - - best way to access it and what to check / replace. Because of the vacuum leak, I have not charged the system with Freon since installing the new compressor.

Thanks,

Bill

 

Isn't the expansion valve part of the evaporator assembly? Have you been into that assembly on a Dino? If so, what's the best way to get to it. This is "virgin" territory for me.

Drier and its seals are new, as mentioned in my post.

Thanks,

Bill