A/C Evaporator Hoses

[Yoda]

Seems I'm asking a lot of questions lately. Oh well.

I'm in the process of fixing the broken A/C on my 65. It has never worked since I've owned the car.

Anyway, I've already replaced the York with the rotary Sanden unit, but now its time to run new hoses to the evaporator. The shop manual discusses "removal" of the evaporator and steps you through basically dismantling the entire interior of the car. Has anyone tried changing out the hoses with the evaporator in place by just removing some of the trim panels by the radio, ignition switch, etc.? Any other suggestions? I really don't feel like dismantling the entire dash/instrument panel.

 

[tbird5866]

The hoses can be removed without removing the dash... I have changed the expansion valve, which requires removal of the liquid line. Remove the driver's seat, the lower dash panel and the AC thermostat switch. After you unwrap the expansion valve, you will be looking at the ends of both hoses. Short handled wrenches are helpful because of space limitations, but the hoses can be removed.

 

[Yoda]

Just wanted to post a follow-up on this. I finally got my A/C going, but unfortunately replacing the low pressure hose (the big hose) is not nearly as easy in a '65 as replacing the the liquid line at the expansion valve. This is because the "engine-side" nut is inside of the firewall! It seems the firewall is about 1/4" thick and the spot where you need to get a wrench is between the engine and passenger compartments. The "evaporator-side" nut is barely accessible from within the passenger compartment.

To get the old hose off, I had to cut the crimped metal fitting at the firewall with a cut-off disc and then use a deep socket (1" I think). To the the new hose on, I used vice grips around the metal fitting protruding into the engine compartment since the nut was not accessible. Problem with this is that you start to turn the entire hose/fitting (but not the nut) once you reach a certain torque. I was afraid this would cause the fitting to leak, but (knock on wood) so far so good.

Another PITA item was removing/reinstalling the little metal piece that holds both hoses against the evaporator. Very difficult to get to.

If I had to do it again, I would have to give full consideration to removing the whole damn dash, etc. for easier access.

 

[Montana Tbird]

Yoda, I'm working on the same issue on my 65. I noticed that this is an old post. Did you ever get your system working? I am working on removing the dash, and am finding it very difficult to figure out. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Yoda]

Haven't logged in here in 10 years. Surprised my login still worked and that I remembered it.

I was able to do the whole AC job with the dash in and it's still running cold after 10 years. I do remember that it was VERY tedious.

Good luck!

 

[Montana Tbird]

Thanks - the dash removal is almost complete. The former owner of the car has left me a can of worms, as he tended to disconnect wires and vacuum lines when something didn't work. So the dash removal, painful as it is, will correct a number of issues.

 

[Yoda]

Great. I'll have to pull mine one of these days too to replace vacuum lines as I'm starting to have HVAC control hiccups.