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1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

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Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

Thanks Gary, I will ask at Autozone to see if they rent the vacuum equipment. If not maybe there is a shop that can test it for a reasonable amount.

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

The equipment is available for rent. The "deposits" are a bit high as you can imagine, $155 for the pump and $130 for the gauge set but since it is returnable it does not cost in the long run. I will have to do this once I get all of my parts together.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

How long do you have to "rent" them? It is best to hold a vacuum for 24 hours to prove the integrity of the system as well as to boil out all the moisture.

But I can't speak to the oil question.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

I "rented" a power steering pulley puller as I have not decided on which type to buy. The cost was $40 + $3.74 taxes. I had 90 days to return the rental before it became a permanent purchase. I don't know if all tools are the same, but that is what they told me on the puller.

So you leave the pump running for 24 hours? I am very ignorant when it comes to working on AC systems. I will have to read up while I wait for my brackets to come.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

If the vacuum pump gets you 90 days you'll have plenty of time even if you find a problem.

Leaving the pump running won't tell you if you have a leak, so I'd bring it down to as low of a vacuum as the pump will handle and then close the valve and turn the pump off. Check the vacuum after an hour, then another time frame, etc to find out how much it leaks.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

Okay, I was reading that you needed to vacuum it for quite a while to eliminate moisture, especially if it has been sitting open for some time, but that sounded excessive. I will have to do some more reading.

Today I put in the "new" evaporator and dryer. I think I have everything I need except the brackets and rental pump.

While I have that side of the engine cleared, it might be a good time to clean and paint it. We will see how much time I have. The dirty engine has been driving me nuts but I live with it because it isn't affecting how it runs. But that side won't get any easier once I have all the AC stuff hooked up...

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

The dryer can have a fair bit of moisture in it, so can utilize the time with a vacuum to pull it off. The rest of the system should give up its moisture quickly.

And now is the time to paint the engine if you are going to do it. O'Reilly's house brand brake cleaner does a good job of degreasing.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Recommendation is at least 30 min at a high vacuum, then isolate and see if it holds. I have an ex Laboratory Duo-Seal beast that will pull a house central air system down in roughly 20 min, and will hold a damn good vacuum on a vehicle system with a small leak (learned that the hard way on my Chrysler). Good luck with it, unfortunately the excellent source I used to have for parts changed jobs or I would get him to recommend the correct orifice tube for best cooling.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

FuzzFace2

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

You are really lucky you came up with AC brackets, I hope I have some coming with other parts my brother is sending from CA.

If you replace the condenser just know the part you get now do not fit with out some modifying.

Replace the AC drier, pull vacuum for 30 min as said and see if it will hold it for and hour.
If so then you should be good to charge.

Once I find/get the compressor brackets, condenser, drier and make up hoses I will be doing the same thing.
I will be following
Good luck
Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

FuzzFace2 wrote

You are really lucky you came up with AC brackets, I hope I have some coming with other parts my brother is sending from CA.

If you replace the condenser just know the part you get now do not fit with out some modifying.

Replace the AC drier, pull vacuum for 30 min as said and see if it will hold it for and hour.
If so then you should be good to charge.

Once I find/get the compressor brackets, condenser, drier and make up hoses I will be doing the same thing.
I will be following
Good luck
Dave ----

I did indeed get very lucky with the brackets, especially working out a trade the way I did.

With the dryer, are you suggesting that it should always be replaced with a brand new one? I bought a very clean looking used one because I prefer to have original Ford parts where practical, but if these should not be re-used then I will order a new one.

85lebaront2

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

You can reuse the dryer, but it will not be compatible with R134a, only R12. It is almost impossible to completely dry one out once it has been open to the air. It will take a minimum of an hour at a pretty good vacuum and if you have a heat gun, warm it while holding the vacuum.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

Are there 134A driers available? (For retrofit?) Thanks for the heat gun tip. I do happen to have one.

85lebaront2

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

All replacements now are R134a compatible. This was done a few years ago, same reason compressors are now shipped dry.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

85lebaront2 wrote

All replacements now are R134a compatible. This was done a few years ago, same reason compressors are now shipped dry.

RockAuto lists one for about $15, so maybe I should go ahead and order that. What is the difference? What makes it "compatible"? Should I add PAG oil?

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

This post was updated on .

Google tells me that the chemical desiccant pack inside the drier is different for 134A. I also read that this unit acts as a filter and can only hold onto so much crud before it affects flow and possibly fail to capture contaminants that will harm the compressor. The companies that sell the driers say the dessicant pack is good for about 4 years. I find it hard to believe you are actually supposed to remove the drier and replace it that often, but at any rate I don’t think I want to re-use the junkyard one that I bought. I have a new unit coming from RockAuto for the sum of about $24 after shipping. I also read that I should attempt to drain the oil out of the compressor and replace it with PAG oil. Here is a run down of what ideally needs to be done when converting an R12 system to 134A:

https://griffiths.com/ac-system-help-introduction/r134a-vs-r12/

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

That's really good info. Thanks for that research - I'll be using it.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

In reply to this post by Ford F834

The USPS really did it’s best to destroy my package with the AC brackets in it...

Luckily none of the brackets got out of the package, and Trent secured each fastener in its respective hole with a zip tie. I did not loose a single bolt!

Lucky thing he included the rear power steering pump bracket as well, turns out it is different. I tried my original bracket at first and the pivot bolt hole and captive nut did not line up. I checked the engineering numbers and yeah, they are different...

So I got the compressor mounted and everything looks good except for the low pressure hose to the dryer is too short (from a V8 truck). It barely reaches and cannot be routed against the firewall. I need to order a new one, along with the correct belt. This one needs to be longer than the one I bought for the York compressor.

I am getting closer... and good thing because the weather is already warming up in Arizona. I decided to skip the engine cleaning and painting for now. It won’t help it run any better and I just don’t have that kind of time. I looked at it, and it is a big job to do it even half-ass right. I have so many other pressing needs it will have to wait.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

Wow, that package looks like it was dragged behind the truck. Probably kept up for the first two miles.

Sure glad he retained everything inside. And glad that he sent the rear bracket. That would have been frustrating to be soooo close but not be able to bolt it up.

Can you have a hose made to fit?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

I’m pretty sure my package was stabbed with a forklift. Both me and the sender are pretty unhappy about how it was treated but all is well that ends well I suppose.

I probably could get my low pressure hose lengthened, but it is probably just as cheap to buy a new one. RockAuto lists it for $29 without a fill port (factory charged) or $37 with a fill port in the hard line by the dryer. I need to check the dryer I bought to see if it has a fill port or not. That never even occurred to me until I looked up the hoses. If it does not have a port then I will need to get a hose that does.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the truck that I pulled the compressor from already had the R134a fittings, and a new dryer that said made in china on it. The truck was immaculate and well maintained. I’m going to make the assumption that it was professionally converted and not a “dirty” conversion. Once I get the hose and belt I’m going to rent the pump, fill it with refrigerant and go.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 straight six manual 4x4 project

Administrator

Those prices are much better than having a hose custom made. And it seems like you have a good plan and are closing in on having A/C. Good luck!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

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