66 Monaco Wagon A/C Resurrection

[darth_linux]

@TxDon where did you source those crazy service port fittings for the compressor??? I can't find anything like that from Bouchillon, Nostalgic, or VintageAir.

EDIT - I did find something similar on Nostalgic Air, but not the same as yours. Where did you get yours?

 

[TxDon]

I did get the compressor hardline set from Nostalgic Air, it was part number SD1610. They make it two ways to work on the driver or passenger side depending on your installation and you have to specify, mine was obviously drivers side.

 

[darth_linux]

The new system has been successfully evacuated and recharged. I hooked up the last two fittings at the dryer on Monday and set up my gauges and vacuum pump. This was my first attempt using the quick connect high and low pieces so I didn't know you had to tighten them up to open the valves so when I turned the pump on it immediately pulled a 30! Luckily I read the instructions a little better and tightened the connectors down, doing it right it took longer but I still pegged the needle and the vacuum held.
One thing I have noticed all through this project is how many different opinions there are on how to do things like flushing, evacuating and charging. Between instruction sheets, online articles, forum posts and You-Tube videos it is easy to get confused!
I probably vacuumed that system a total of at least 2 hours because of my screw-ups, including about 20 minutes yesterday before charging. The charging process went well, the compressor started up about 10 minutes after opening the first can of R134. It took about an hour and a half and used 28 ounces to fill to 50psi low / 300psi high. The worst part was that summer is here in Texas with 95 degrees ambient so it was probably about 120 in my garage and I felt like a drowned rat! I still have to replace the grille and do some cleanup but I'm looking forward to driving it.

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@TxDon , how is access to your power steering pump with your fitting right across the top of the pump cap? I’m facing the exact same situation with my set up.

 

[TxDon]

@TxDon , how is access to your power steering pump with your fitting right across the top of the pump cap? I’m facing the exact same situation with my set up.

I used some cut pieces of heater hose to shim between the line and the compressor body, see the photo. Hard to see but I had just enough room to take off the cap to check the fluid.