Which A/C hoses? Hmm....

[82DMC12]

Hey all,

Trying to decide what to do. I'm replacing my original A/C system with all R134a parts. I have a new compressor, dryer, variable orifice valve, and high pressure hub and hose to the condensor. I'm going to try to find a custom or similar-sized parallel-flow condensor. Probably leave the evaporator alone.

For the two main hoses, I'm trying to decide if I should get Hervey's spliced hoses or try to find some one-piece hoses that I can put in this fall when I do a frame-off. My theory is if I get one-piece hoses that would be less places for the A/C leak in the future. I know others have had the spliced hoses and they work just fine, so.... what to do? There is a place in town that can make hoses on the car. They can take bulk hose and thread it through the frame, then crimp the ends on. I could do that before I do a frame off.

Does anyone sell one-piece R134a hoses, or are Hervey's the best option? He no longer has one-piece hoses in stock.

Andy

[Farrar]

FWIW, the "split" hoses have the joins where you can easily get to them to check for leaks and/or tighten the fittings/replace O-rings.

I installed Hervey's split hoses in a matter of minutes with only the rear end of the car jacked up.

I think it's a matter of personal preference, really.

Farrar

[stevedmc]

Does anyone sell one-piece R134a hoses, or are Hervey's the best option? He no longer has one-piece hoses in stock.

Andy

I would go with Hervey's split hoses but if you have a shop that can thread a hose and then put ends on the hoses that would probably be your cheapest and best bet.

[82DMC12]

I'm going to swing by this local place tomorrow; they remember me from when they fixed a cut in my A/C a few years ago. I'll have them look at the ends and make sure they can do it.

A couple other quick questions -

1. How many lbs R134a if I have a proper 134a compressor?
2. Should I use teflon tape on the hose fittings throughout the car?

Andy

[Bitsyncmaster]

1. How many lbs R134a if I have a proper 134a compressor?
2. Should I use teflon tape on the hose fittings throughout the car?

Andy

I only got two 12 oz cans into my AC. I stopped there because the high side pressure started getting higher than I liked. The only reason I would want more is having some extra would keep it working longer with a small leak. So far the AC seems to be running as good as when I charged it. About 45 degrees from the center vent on MAX in the summer.

All the AC hoses use an o-ring to seal so no need for Teflon tape.

They say a parallel flow condenser is more efficient but they can not be flushed to clean them.

[Chris4099]

Does anyone sell one-piece R134a hoses, or are Hervey's the best option? He no longer has one-piece hoses in stock.

Hervey does sell those hoses without a splice. So if you are doing a frame-off, that's not a bad way to go. Generally those splices should not leak if done properly.

As for alternatives, you don't really have many options. You can get NOS from DMCH, but I would not recommend that. The only other option is to get them made up locally. Probably cheaper, but more time consuming.

When putting everything together, add a little bit of anti-seize to the threaded ends. They'll make it easier to service later on. As already mentioned, the threaded parts don't actually seal anything, so no need for Teflon tape.

[sean]

I've installed a few sets of Hervey's no problem, just install them as pair. The first time I installed one of his hoses I just installed one, only needed the one, and the fitting at the compressor end was not the same size as the stock unit so the clamp that holds the fittings in place would not work and I had to use spacers. Again, this was only an issue Indy ling a single hose, I've had no issue with a set.

[Chris4099]

I noticed on his web site he now only sells them in pairs. So I guess that's one way to work around that problem. :)

[sean]

I noticed on his web site he now only sells them in pairs. So I guess that's one way to work around that problem. :)

Ha! Yeah my single hose buy was about 2006-08ish. Well at least no one else will have that issue.

[David T]

Do not go with having them made up locally. Length and fit and the angles of the fittings is VERY important and the vendor's hoses fit well. Using the hoses with the extra coupling does increase the # of fittings and the potential leaks but properly done it doesn't seem to be a problem and it DOES make installing them SO much easier! Stay away from NOS hoses too. The stock is too old to be reliable.
David Teitelbaum

[dhaney]

Do not go with having them made up locally. Length and fit and the angles of the fittings is VERY important and the vendor's hoses fit well. Using the hoses with the extra coupling does increase the # of fittings and the potential leaks but properly done it doesn't seem to be a problem and it DOES make installing them SO much easier! Stay away from NOS hoses too. The stock is too old to be reliable.
David Teitelbaum

I hear it from a reliable source that team DMCH no longer has NOS rubber like hoses and belts and is selling only new stuff.

Maybe one of the principles will come on-line and verfy this is true.

Dan

[Farrar]

I hear it from a reliable source that team DMCH no longer has NOS rubber like hoses and belts and is selling only new stuff.

I sure hope this is true -- I was looking at some bushings online today and paused when I saw the designation as "New Old Stock."

Farrar

[TTait]

Rob Grady once mentioned to me that he has hoses made up to his specs from time to time.

I have Hervey's split hoses, they are fine.

[sean]

I sure hope this is true -- I was looking at some bushings online today and paused when I saw the designation as "New Old Stock."

Farrar

+1 and if it is they should make an announcement.