Repair or replace leaky evaporator?

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b5cuda

b5cuda

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Hey gang,
Finally got my A/C system put together, only to find a big vacuum leak at the evaporator. Evidently a crack on the lower bulkhead connector. My question is which option makes more sense, have the OEM unit repaired, or buy a replacement evaporator? Car is a '69 cuda, new-style Sanden Compressor, original components inside the cabin. Thanks!
 
If I had 48 year-old heat exchanger with a known leak, I would definitely replace it with a new one.
 
How would repairing it be better than a replacement? The labor is the same. If it does not work, or if it fail in a different spot on the evaporator, you have all that work to do again.

That should tell you what to do.
 
Since you are not trying to keep all OEM parts, then a new coil makes the most sense to me.
 
Thanks for the replies! I'd read somewhere that the OEM stuff was better quality than the new replacements and might be worth maintaining, and then there's the cost - looks like $250 and up on ebay. But it's hard to say how many leaks might be on the old original, or how long it would hold up, so I guess I'm leaning toward replacement. Does anyone have a recommendation on best price/product source?
 
b5cuda said:
Thanks for the replies! I'd read somewhere that the OEM stuff was better quality than the new replacements and might be worth maintaining, and then there's the cost - looks like $250 and up on ebay. But it's hard to say how many leaks might be on the old original, or how long it would hold up, so I guess I'm leaning toward replacement. Does anyone have a recommendation on best price/product source?
Click to expand...

There is a used one on eBay right now, but it is a gamble! How many times do you want to take the heater/AC box out and back in? New ones (reproductions of course) have just started showing up on eBay but I don't see any of the trusted shops like Classic Air listing them yet......

Mopar A Body Evaporator Core 1967 - 1972 Dart Duster Valiant 68 69 70 71 72
 
The old OEM are copper tube. If you have a good shop around they can fix it. I would guess the newer ones are paper thin aluminum.
 
Bit the bullet, ordered a new unit from AC Global in LA. $270, shipping included. I suspect I could have repaired an old OEM unit for less, but there are no guarantees it wouldn't spring other leaks. I don't need practice swapping evaporators in and out of the car. Thanks all for your advice, much obliged!
 
In 1984 my 1974 Satellite Sebring evaporator started leaking. Removed and repaired by a local shop. Started leaking again in 1987 and had to top off R12 every year till traded car in 1992.

On my 1974 Dart Sport re-installed A/C with Ebay aftermarket evaporator and is ok after 2 years. See my post on A/C re-install.
 
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