Steering, Spoiler, Air conditioning

[Moparbob]

Hey,

Thanks for all the help here so far. This group has been great! I have a few questions so I thought I would lump them into one.

Air conditioning:
My car has factory air but the compressor, condenser and evaporator are gone. Anyone ever convert the system to the new (freon but I don't know whats its called) type set up? I can find plenty of new stuff and maybe even brackets at a junk yard. Makes sense to me to "Improve" what was there.

Steering:
Anyone upgrade the steering column to like a tilt wheel set up?

Front spoiler:

Does anyone know if a 1973 Charger Rallye came with one? Mine has one but I'd like to know if its stock. 

[y3chargerrt]

Classic auto air should have everything you need.

http://www.classicautoair.com/Default.asp

[Moparbob]

Classic auto air should have everything you need.

I bet they are expensive, any idea how much?

[y3chargerrt]

Over a grand I bet. I got their kit for everything under the hood less condensor and it was around $500.

[Moparbob]

Over a grand I bet. I got their kit for everything under the hood less condensor and it was around $500

Yea, to much. I could do better at a bone yard with the same results,, cool air

Would the ac brackets of a late model dodge (small block) bolt on a 340?

[Moparbob]

Would the ac brackets of a late model dodge (small block) bolt on a 340?

Anybody know the answer to this?

[Nacho-RT74]

Hey,

Thanks for all the help here so far. This group has been great! I have a few questions so I thought I would lump them into one.

Air conditioning:
My car has factory air but the compressor, condenser and evaporator are gone. Anyone ever convert the system to the new (freon but I don't know whats its called) type set up? I can find plenty of new stuff and maybe even brackets at a junk yard. Makes sense to me to "Improve" what was there.

I upgraded the same stock system to use 134 gas. There are some threads about that. Just REALLY NEEDED new compatible seals, oil, expansion valve and upgrade hoses if yours are drye and staring to break. If they are perfect they could hold the 134 gas since they are "seasoned" to hold the gas. 134 gass is smaller molecules easy to leak. new 134 hoses are designed to that.

Of course the compressor still is the same old "unefficent" ( even one of the best on those years ) and heavy one, but I wanted to keep because like stok parts. Still gets LOT COLD and I live on a tropical country. Once I had to turn on the rear deffog because on a rainy night I was getting fog OUTSIDE the car with my A/C

I have the MOPAR MUSCLE mag talking about that. Pretty old, 1999

Steering:
Anyone upgrade the steering column to like a tilt wheel set up?

They were option on 71/72s using C body columns and wheels. But pretty weird to find on a B body. Wheels look WACKY

Front spoiler:

Does anyone know if a 1973 Charger Rallye came with one? Mine has one but I'd like to know if its stock. 

was just stock option on 71 R/Ts... since 72 weren't anymore an option, but being the valance same shape you can fit.

[Tilar]

Hey,

Thanks for all the help here so far. This group has been great! I have a few questions so I thought I would lump them into one.

Air conditioning:
My car has factory air but the compressor, condenser and evaporator are gone. Anyone ever convert the system to the new (freon but I don't know whats its called) type set up? I can find plenty of new stuff and maybe even brackets at a junk yard. Makes sense to me to "Improve" what was there.

You can use the original equipment parts since you are starting out basically new. If you are converting one, you used to have to change the drier and remove all the oil in the system and then refill with the new 134. Now they are saying that all you have to do is drain the system, add the new type of connectors and refill the system.

[Chatt69chgr]

The Sanden conpressor seems to be used on just about every car these days.  And there are zillions in the junkyard.  You can buy them new for about $200.  The conversion brackets are available from several sources.  I think Bouchillon Engineering has them.  There are a couple of places in Florida that advertise all the time in the Mopar Mags selling complete conversion systems.  They may sell the brackets only.  The main difference between R12 hose and R134A hose is that the R134A hose has a liner in it to keep the Freon from escaping (like Nacho said, the molecules are smaller).  But all new hose is of this type now.  You can get hose made up with ends on it in about every town these days.  The "O" rings are a different material so need to be changed.  You would have to remove the expansion valve (it's on the engine side of the firewall and connected to the evaporator) and blow the evaporator out with a solvent to remove all the old refrigerant oil and debris.  Same with the condenser.  You have to replace the high side dryer with one that has desicant that is compatible with the newer refrigerant oil used with R134A.  I think Old Air Systems in Texas has these.  Also Classic Auto Air in Florida.  One thing that I really don't know the answer to is whether the expansion valve used in the original car that was designed to work with R12 would work with R134A.  Probably.  You would want to replace this piece.  I think Classic Auto Air would answer this question--------they do sell the replacement piece for use with R134A.  After you get it all buttoned up, you would have to evacuate the system with a vacuum pump and charge with R134A and add the correct amount and type of refrigerant oil.  Note that the amount of Freon to use is different than what was originally used.  I don't know what that amount is.  Seems like it's 7/10 the original amount.  I guess you could charge it with that amount and then check the low and high side pressures and add some more if necessary (make sure you charge as a gas--can up--and on the low side only).  Don't forget that if you get a compressor out of a junkyard that it will have some oil in it--need to take this into account when you add oil.  Also get the dryer at the same time and cut it apart to make sure the desicant bag has not ruptured (thereby usually destroying the compressor).  And you can't reuse dryers.  They always have to be replaced.  Let us know how this all turns out.

[Nacho-RT74]

Hey,

Thanks for all the help here so far. This group has been great! I have a few questions so I thought I would lump them into one.

Air conditioning:
My car has factory air but the compressor, condenser and evaporator are gone. Anyone ever convert the system to the new (freon but I don't know whats its called) type set up? I can find plenty of new stuff and maybe even brackets at a junk yard. Makes sense to me to "Improve" what was there.

You can use the original equipment parts since you are starting out basically new. If you are converting one, you used to have to change the drier and remove all the oil in the system and then refill with the new 134. Now they are saying that all you have to do is drain the system, add the new type of connectors and refill the system.

yeah forgott that, desicant gel is diff so you can take teh dryer to a shop and replace the gel, or get a new one already made to 134... also the fitting to fill with 134 on ports