other A/C expansion valve for Frigiking

[grotflo]

Hi all,

 

I'm getting ready to install A/C on my '75 and I need to replace the expansion valve on my Frigiking evaporator. Does anyone know where to get a new valve? I've looked at a few other topics on this but can't find any definitive answers, just the advice to get a new one. Here are some photos:

 

 

This this one from Nostalgic A/C looks close - will it work?

 

http://nostalgicac.com/driers-valves/expansion-valves/oring-expansion-valve.html

 

thanks,

Garrett

 

[gastephens]

Are you going R12 or R134? If R134 you should replace the condenser and dryer along with the compressor so you will have almost all o-ring fittings anyway. If you are doing R12 you will still have mostly flare fittings. The reason I point this out is that the nostalgic AC expansion valve should work fine for either application but you will need to adapt it from O-ring to flare to connect to the evaporator and the dryer. You can get custom lines made for this (or make your own) or there are adapters. I went with new lines to minimize the possible leak points.

[Stevenc22]

Expansion valves are generic in nature and the  Nostalgic A/C should work fine.

[grotflo]

Thanks for the help. I'm actually installing a system from scratch (using Steven's excellent article Air Conditioning Basics as a guide) so I plan on using all o-ring fittings. 

 

I didn't know that expansion valves are generic - that's good to know. 

 

Garrett

[ray_]

What they said ;-)

 

Also this stuff helped me ensure everything was well-sealed. I recommend it!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nylog-Blue-Gasket-Thread-Sealant-For-POE-Oil-RT201B-Refrigeration-Technologies-/121703458217?hash=item1c561765a9:g:c1YAAOSwGvhT9K~6

 

Cheers,

[Stevenc22]

I used nyloc as well. Also remember when using flare fittings and the flare fitting to o ring adapters, there are cooper crush washers that go between the flare fittings and without them you will never get a good seal.

Edited June 13, 2016 by Stevenc22

[ray_]

Further, you might look around for a more powerful blower motor, and if you want to get fancy it appears a PWM controller will work rather than that resistor thingy.

 

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2299431-PWM-Controller-for-AC-Heater-Fan-Motors

 

Cheers,

 

 

[grotflo]

Hmm. I'm looking through the A/C line kit I purchased and I don't see any fittings that will connect to the evaporator. See photo of the fittings on my Frigiking:

Do I need a female o-ring fitting to crimp into the hose? The kit is entirely o-ring fittings, so I plan on using o-rings throughout.

[ray_]

The Frigiking evaporator has compression fittings. You'll need adapters, or hoses made for compression fittings.

 

Cheers,

[gastephens]

Those are flare fittings. Rather than cut them off and install o-ring fittings, I would use an adapter. Here is a #8 example.

http://nostalgicac.com/fittings-hose-kits/flare-adapters/8-flare-to-o-ring-fitting-adapter.html

 

Alternatively you could have new lines made with flares on one end and o-rings on the other.

[Stevenc22]

Yes you need flare to o ring adapters with cooper crush washers. 

These are my flare to O ring adapters.

Edited June 13, 2016 by Stevenc22

[grotflo]

That makes sense, thanks everyone. Since I'm making these lines myself, I'll do flare fittings on one end. I figure that leaves fewer places it can potentially leak.