1970 air conditioning... help?

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Hey folks,
trying to install the condenser today and something is wrong. Scott thinks its the wrong one... or are parts missing... New condenser mounts are at the shop. This condenser is ceremonial, but we'd like to install it correctly if possible. Any and all information greatly appreciated. If we're Facebook friends here's a video from today at the shop, otherwise here's pictures. Thank you!
\m/
Laurie

https://www.facebook.com/laurie.kraynick/videos/1676676525780823/

[chrisntam]

The drier goes in between the condenser and the frame mount on the passenger side.  I'll post some pics...

Looks like the driver has a bracket that it slips into and it "bridges?" the  mount from the condenser to the frame mount.

Does the FSM show how it's assembled?

I can get more info (pics) if needed.

chris.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Chris those photo's tell the story, thank you.
Seems to be a bracket missing.... but doesn't explain why the lead coming off my
condenser is pointing to the right when it needs to be pointing left?

Thank you so much!
\m/
Laurie

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Chris those photo's tell the story, thank you.
Seems to be a bracket missing.... but doesn't explain why the lead coming off my
condenser is pointing to the right when it needs to be pointing left?

Thank you so much!
\m/
Laurie

Laurie:

I'm looking at your pics and comparing to Chris's pics.
Looks like the fittings are oriented the same way.

It's not clear to me what you mean by the "lead from
the condenser" not pointing the right way(?)

You're missing the bracket as you already know.

Mike

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Hey Mike,
here's a pic of my condenser, that 'lead' coming off from the bottom to the top, is pointing to the right when it seems it needs to go left?
\m/
Laurie

Sorry, wrong picture, here's the correct one.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

In your first pic -- that "lead" is at the top of the condenser passenger side -- and that's where it needs to be to mate up
with the threaded AC line coming up to it from the left (passenger side).  The way you have the condenser sitting in the engine bay looks correct.

What am I missing?

Mike

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

This is a better pic of the condenser I have... I edited my last post too.
\m/
Laurie

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

The drier goes in between the condenser and the frame mount on the passenger side.  I'll post some pics...

Looks like the driver has a bracket that it slips into and it "bridges?" the  mount from the condenser to the frame mount.

Does the FSM show how it's assembled?

I can get more info (pics) if needed.

chris.

Chris the shop manual wasn't much help. Can you snap a pic of the lead coming off the bottom of your condensor to the dryer? From the top down? Thanks!

\m/
Laurie

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

I think this is what my condenser is supposed to look like....
That's a lot of money for an ornament....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/69-70-71-72-CADILLAC-Deville-Fleetwood-Calais-AC-Condenser-OEM-3027603-AC1390/232683183987?fits=Year%3A1970%7CMake%3ACadillac%7CModel%3AFleetwood%7CSubmodel%3ABrougham&epid=17015401447&hash=item362cff9f73:g:jxEAAOSw7ThUfkoa


\m/
Laurie

[chrisntam]

Here is a pic of my condenser when I removed it in '14.  There is a separate bracket for the drier and there appears to be an "end" bracket that goes between the drier bracket and the condenser.

Looking at the pics, I'm not sure if there are two brackets or one.  There is a front "strap" that holds the drier in place.  I can't see (in the pic) if the end bracket for the condenser and the "cradle" for the driver is one piece or not.

Lemme get off the couch and have a look at the car to try to see if two brackets or one.

It appears the end bracket for the condenser and the cradle for the drier are one piece.

HTH,

chris.

[Dan LeBlanc]

Laurie. What parts are you needing to rehab your 70 ac?  I'm pulling all the underhood components in mine and replacing with all new when I get back home next weekend?  I may be looking to sell what I remove.

My system works and holds refrigerant. It freezes up because of a bad POA valve (frigidaire rebuildable one).  I figured since I'm opening up the system to replace the POA I'd replace absolutely everything. R12 is very hard to come by in Canada so I want to never touch it again. Don't think I'll keep what I remove for spare parts.

I'm in Boston leaving for Bermuda in a few hours but I'll add you on Facebook and send me a message there and we'll see what we can work out.

[Scot Minesinger]

Dan,

I saw on another post you are replacing compressor with a non-A6, one that was intended for r134, and cools well.  I routinely switch ac systems from 12 to r134 due to availability of r134 in the 1965-1976 Cadillacs.  The 71 and newer seem great, and the 65-70 not quite as good.  If you want an r134 system on a 1970 that is as effective as r12, you would have to do something.

After you return, send us all a post or a link to what you did.  And live to see some pictures.  If the evaporator does not have to be changed, it could be a good way to go.  My 1970 SDV ac works and all, but not like it did in 1970.  The convertible does not matter much to me.

I brought this subject up about 1965-70 Cadillacs not workig as well as 1971 and newer Cadillac ac systems when converting to r134.  The consensus was that the air flow on interior blower was higher for 1971 and newer Cadillacs plus the condenser was larger and spaced a little further from radiator.

[Dan LeBlanc]

Hi Scot

I was able to secure a 30# cylinder of R12 in Calgary and have it shipped to me. After consulting with Old Air prior to purchasing the Pro6Ten they advised it's ok to run R12 with that compressor by draining the oil and running Ester oil. I'm keeping it R12 and absolutely EVERYTHING is getting changed. Once completed I'm hoping to have many happy years of service from the system.

Hoses, seals, dryer, POA, expansion valve, condenser. You name it under the hood it's getting changed. Everything is already received. I just need to break down and do it.

The R12 still sealed was a steal at $130 Canadian. I can't even buy a cylinder of R134 in USD across the border for that.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Dan,
Unless someone did not know what they had I would be a little leery of that price. There was a lot of "bogus" R-12 shipped from Mexico and China a while back.  Not to put a damper on your "find", but R-12 is going for $1000.00 USD for a 30# drum. 
Greg Surfas

[chrisntam]

I like the R12 in the 1 lb cans that look like they've been around a long while...

Any way to test to confirm what you (or I) have?

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Laurie. What parts are you needing to rehab your 70 ac?  I'm pulling all the underhood components in mine and replacing with all new when I get back home next weekend?  I may be looking to sell what I remove.

My system works and holds refrigerant. It freezes up because of a bad POA valve (frigidaire rebuildable one).  I figured since I'm opening up the system to replace the POA I'd replace absolutely everything. R12 is very hard to come by in Canada so I want to never touch it again. Don't think I'll keep what I remove for spare parts.

I'm in Boston leaving for Bermuda in a few hours but I'll add you on Facebook and send me a message there and we'll see what we can work out.

Hey Dan,
I need every part pictured except for the dryer. Correct condenser, brackets, etc. Scott is putting in new condenser mounts. Enjoy the cruise and let me know!
Laurie

[cadillacmike68]

Chris those photo's tell the story, thank you.
Seems to be a bracket missing.... but doesn't explain why the lead coming off my
condenser is pointing to the right when it needs to be pointing left?

Thank you so much!
\m/
Laurie

The pics from chrisntam have solved the mystery.

It looks backwards, because its a 1968 Condenser where the Receiver Dryer was to the right of the fittings - more to the center, whereas the 69-70 ones moved the receiver drier to the left of the fittings, and used the missing bracked to hold it all together.

You could get a loopback tube fabricated with the fittings to connect where that condenser leaves off to the receiver drier in its correct position, but the bracket is still needed to hold everything together. It doesn't even need to be steel, as long as it can connect the condenser end to the receiver drier.


I read further and you probably don't even need an additional connecting line. You just have to have the existing line that comes up cut a little bit above halfway up and twist the tube around so that it points towards the battery. Any decent AC shop should be able to do this. Just a couple new fittings will do it.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

The pics from chrisntam have solved the mystery.

It looks backwards, because its a 1968 Condenser where the Receiver Dryer was to the right of the fittings - more to the center, whereas the 69-70 ones moved the receiver drier to the left of the fittings, and used the missing bracked to hold it all together.

You could get a loopback tube fabricated with the fittings to connect where that condenser leaves off to the receiver drier in its correct position, but the bracket is still needed to hold everything together. It doesn't even need to be steel, as long as it can connect the condenser end to the receiver drier.


I read further and you probably don't even need an additional connecting line. You just have to have the existing line that comes up cut a little bit above halfway up and twist the tube around so that it points towards the battery. Any decent AC shop should be able to do this. Just a couple new fittings will do it.

There is no chance of me going through all that aggravation and expense for an ornamental condenser.
First show is next Thursday.

\m/
Laurie

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Are you planning on floating the arc to the Gns here in Texas?
Greg Surfas

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Are you planning on floating the arc to the Gns here in Texas?
Greg Surfas

Ark.. ARK!  LOL!
I don't see this car leaving New England in general or MA imparticular.

\m/
Laurie