Author Topic: A/C Hose Routing (Read 3875 times)

Harry · « **on:** March 09, 2020, 00:48:07 »

Can someone share a photo of the routing of the hoses from the compressor (lower position) and the penetrations through the firewall?

Thanks!
Harry

Shvegel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2020, 02:27:23 »

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/Cooling/Air%20Conditioning%20Installation%20Instructions%20for%20Mercedes%20Benz%20280SL.pdf

Harry · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2020, 11:38:07 »

Oh wow! That is remarkable and very much appreciated!!! Much more than I had expected.

Thanks very much Shvegal!
Harry

Shvegel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2020, 16:13:23 »

No problem. I just happen to be at that point of my restoration. I find with a modern filter/ drier the top hole was too low so I moved it up. I also found the bottom hole landed slightly on a crease in the firewall so I dropped it a half an inch. I would recommend getting your stuff together before punching the holes in the firewall. Although I am installing a modified system with a Sanden compressor and parallel flow condenser I wanted the drier area to be as original as possible. The fittings at the drier are called "Short Drop" elbows and are pretty close to the original brass ones.

Harry · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2020, 19:43:51 »

My car had A/C before and the holes that you are talking about through the firewall are already there. If I don't use those, I'll have to plug them and cut new ones - which I prefer not to do.

So a couple of more related questions.
The Sanden has the O-ring fittings and my in-car unit has the compression fittings. Did you have hoses made up that had each type of fitting on either end, just use an adapter at the in-car unit, or what?

I haven't had time to go through the material that you provided but I am curious how you will support the in-car unit? I seem to recall that I was not particularly happy with the arrangement in place on this car.

Shvegel · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2020, 22:11:34 »

Harry,
The original hoses are too permeable to contain R134a. New hoses will be required. Since I was replacing the hoses I figured I might as well update all the connections to O-ring (except at the evaporator under dash) I am kind of a fussy person especially when it comes to plumbing and ended up buying the AC line crimping tool. When you consider that a set of AC lines can be $400 and the tool and parts are less than $300 it makes sense.

Harry · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2020, 22:19:17 »

Hmm. Yes, I was going to replace all lines anyway. So you bought hose and fittings, and you’re building your lines to fit?

Shvegel · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2020, 22:27:34 »

Yes. There are two good websites. Acfittings.com and coldhose.com. Both respond quickly. I bought the crimper on Amazon. If anyone near you makes AC hoses I am sure it would be only a few dollars to have the crimps done. If your sanden compressor doesn’t have access ports to attach gauges etc they sell straight and 90 degree O-ring fittings with access ports. You need a #10 suction port and a #8 discharge port.

Beware there are 2 types of hoses and fittings. Regular and reduced diameter. I went with all regular as that is what was original. You can do either but don’t mix fittings and hoses. All reduced or all regular.

Harry · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2020, 23:53:52 »

Did you use the Sanden 508? And whose adapter bracket? I have the Buds bracket and a claw bracket from Old Air (Texas). The Buds looks like it works best but it isn’t as stoutly built (lighter gage steel).

(And what about the mounting of the under dash unit?)

Thanks again,
Harry

Shvegel · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2020, 17:17:16 »

My bracket looks like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Air-15815-VUB-Adapter-Compressor/dp/B07LC2SW65/ref=sr_1_31?keywords=sanden+compressor+bracket&qid=1583946883&sr=8-31

I have not mounted the underdash unit yet. Do you have the back bracket that screws to the firewall?

Harry · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2020, 20:43:53 »

Back bracket for the under-dash unit? I don't think so. Yours has one? (Do you have a photo?

Harry

Shvegel · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2020, 02:33:09 »

There is a picture in the installation manual. it looks like it would be simple to make.

EeVeeWee · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2020, 08:16:48 »

I have this bracket for sale.

66andBlue · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2020, 01:03:24 »

Quote from: Harry on March 11, 2020, 20:43:53

Back bracket for the under-dash unit? I don't think so. Yours has one? (Do you have a photo?
Harry

This bracket was holding the Frigiking under-dash unit when we took it out of my 280SL. Anybody who wants it can have it.

Harry · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2020, 12:30:45 »

66andblue - I would indeed like to have your bracket. I'll PM you about arrangements. Thanks.

Harry

Harry · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2020, 01:05:18 »

66andBlue - did my PM To you go through?

66andBlue · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2020, 02:37:04 »

Yes it did and I replied.

Harry · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2020, 12:34:21 »

So, the in car unit has three separate vents that have adjustment for up/down and left/right. This adjustment is made manually by moving a lever in the desired direction. These levers (one per vent) have a decorative chrome tip, rectangular in shape. Of course, I am missing one of those tips. Is there a source for those?

Harry

pagoden · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2020, 08:47:42 »

Hi Harry,

I sent you a PM recently, re. this bracket. (Interested in the air outlet directional assemblies too: disassembly, reconditioning, etc.)

Good health and good wishes to all,

Denny

Shvegel · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2020, 15:20:48 »

It would be helpful if someone could post the dimensions of the bracket for those of us who don't have one. it looks like it might be easy to make one.

66andBlue · « **Reply #20 on:** April 05, 2020, 17:20:46 »

Quote from: Shvegel on April 05, 2020, 15:20:48

It would be helpful if someone could post the dimensions of the bracket for those of us who don't have one. it looks kile it might be easy to make one.

Before sending mine to Harry I made a paper template and will post a drawing with bending angles soon.

Harry · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2020, 22:43:34 »

Alfred and others,

I installed mount to the A/C unit and positioned it in the car, hoping to be able to mark the location and drill the holes in the firewall. But there was almost no room to reach in and make a mark. I managed to make a rough mark that I think will be fine but I sure would love to have the template.

Does anyone have a template?

Harry

66andBlue · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2020, 22:15:32 »

Harry,
if you take the bracket off again you can easily make a paper template but I am not sure how much this would help.
If I recall correctly we dismantled the a/c unit leaving the bracket screwed to the underdash. Perhaps Joe (JA17) remembers?
Is it not possible to mount the bracket first and then send slide the unit into the lower notches?

Harry · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2020, 00:39:35 »

Alfred - I had concluded that the bracket must be mounted first. I was looking for a template that located the bracket itself. I’ll attach the bracket to the unit again and try to position the unit in the right location. That bugger is heavy and awkward to hold and locate under the dash!

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Author Topic: A/C Hose Routing (Read 3875 times)