1969 Barracuda Fastback
AC mufflers, hoses, and lines:
Original AC lines were often thrown away, therefore hard to find and after 50+ years usually in bad condition.
I wanted to maintain the original routing for the AC lines, have them look close to the original but with modern, more flexible, and R134A compatible hoses. I had to do some compromises, but in the end, it should be an upgrade, functional, and still look close to the factory AC.
Over the last months, I acquired some AC lines with good metal parts on them. 2 AC mufflers and the "sensor line" for the Expansion Valve got hot tanked, soaked in Evapo-Rust, primed, and painted in semi-gloss black. One AC muffler is from a 70ies model. I prefer the "one-piece" since every connection is a potential source for leaks.
Ludlow Automotive & Speed Shop| Dayton, OH 45414 was very helpful - a small shop with excellent customer service and fair prices. They provided the AC hoses, lines, and fittings. After I had the lines bent and the hoses cut to the desired length, I marked all parts at their final position.
Ludlow Automotive then crimped/brazed all parts together and pressure tested them.
The installation of the high and low R134A adapter charge fittings completed this job.
The next project is the AC line from the condenser to the drier and to the expansion valve.
So far, I am quite satisfied with the outcome and the look of the lines.
AC mufflers, hoses, and lines:
Original AC lines were often thrown away, therefore hard to find and after 50+ years usually in bad condition.
I wanted to maintain the original routing for the AC lines, have them look close to the original but with modern, more flexible, and R134A compatible hoses. I had to do some compromises, but in the end, it should be an upgrade, functional, and still look close to the factory AC.
Over the last months, I acquired some AC lines with good metal parts on them. 2 AC mufflers and the "sensor line" for the Expansion Valve got hot tanked, soaked in Evapo-Rust, primed, and painted in semi-gloss black. One AC muffler is from a 70ies model. I prefer the "one-piece" since every connection is a potential source for leaks.
Ludlow Automotive & Speed Shop| Dayton, OH 45414 was very helpful - a small shop with excellent customer service and fair prices. They provided the AC hoses, lines, and fittings. After I had the lines bent and the hoses cut to the desired length, I marked all parts at their final position.
Ludlow Automotive then crimped/brazed all parts together and pressure tested them.
The installation of the high and low R134A adapter charge fittings completed this job.
The next project is the AC line from the condenser to the drier and to the expansion valve.
So far, I am quite satisfied with the outcome and the look of the lines.
