I have a 1967 122s wagon and I want to add a/c. I have an original evaporator, but I want to install a new compressor, condensor, receiver dryer,orifice tube and new lines. Has anyone attempted this? Can I use my original evaporator and add all these new components? Where can I locate these parts? Any help would be appreciated.

Graham

Hello,

I recommend you contact and become friendly with a local A/C shop as you will need them to complete your project. You will need them to make your hoses and lines as well as charging and testing your system. You should buy some of the necessary equipment from them for your conversion to keep them happy, but certain items like A/C compressor mounting bracket and tensioner pulley, you most likely will need to get for them.

I also recommend that you have your evaporator(underdash unit) modified to accept o-ring style fittings.


You will need to get the following parts for your A/C conversion:

Compressor mounting bracket
A/C belt tensioner bracket & pulley
Compressor
Dryer
Expansion valve
Condensor
Electric fan & controls
Crankshaft pulley w/2 grooves
Pressure/temperature switch(es)

On my last few customers cars who had me install A/C, I had my A/C shop route the A/C lines that have to go to the evaporator down the right side of the car. This requires a custom condensor, but only costs a few extra bucks. With the in/out lines along with the dryer on the right side, it leaves the area around the ignition distributor clear for easier maintance. Every other install I have encountered has all the lines and the dryer in your way on the left side where most of the normal work is done and I think you get a cleaner underhood look my way(of course).


--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90501

Thanks for the info... How do I modify my evaporator to accept o rings? Do you have parts numbers for the compressor, condenser, receiver dryer and expansion valve? When I looked at my firewall I saw a hole on either side of my engine that looked like that was the way to route my ac lines. Does that make sense? Any help would be appreciated...

Graham

This set on eBay has a short time to go. Volvo 1800 P1800 122 Complete Air Conditioning System Item number: 130244049073
I'm in the UK and it's the first time I've seen a full kit laid out. This set looks to need some work but you at least you'd have patterns. Bob Folz Sanden bracket now $140 apparently. I'd like to see a picture of one of these, on and off the engine.

Hello,

The evaporator must removed from the housing and the tubes must be cut to remove the flares and new ends must be welded on and then pressure tested for leaks.

Any good radiator shop can do the modification.

I do not have part numbers for the compressor, condensor, receiver drier, or the expansion valve.

To begin with, I would need to know what type of refrigerant you are going to use, R12 or R134, as the compressor and expansion valve are dependent on your choice.

I can tell you that the compressor is a rotary, or axial style compressor and usually an 8 cubic inch Sanden or Sanden style compressor.

When I do a custom A/C install on a car, I prefer to let my A/C shop have a custom built MODERN condensor made so that the largest one can be used for the best cooling capacity. The additional cost is usually less than $30.00. I also let my A/C shop supply and install the electric fan(s). I usually have an electronic fan control already installed and the wires marked for the A/C shop.

I do not understand your description of the hole locations in your firewall. Can you take a picture of the holes?

When I can convince the customers to do so, I have my A/C shop use bulkhead fittings to act as a pass through the firewall. The individual bulkhead fittings require a much smaller hole to be drilled, but the cost is significantly higher for the bulkhead fittings and extra hose fittings. I think it is worth it for the cleaner look.

I also like to have both A/C lines running down the passanger side of the car as the tendancy of most installs is to run the 2 A/C hoses to the evaporator and the receiver drier on the drivers side and this impedes free access to the spark plugs, distributor, starter and steering column.

Running the A/C lines on the passanger side also requires the use of a custom built condensor.

I can not stress how important it is to make a good relationship with the A/C shop that is going to do the work and let them sell you some of the parts that you are going to need.

Good luck,

--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90501

Howdy,

One source is Summit Racing. That brand is "Hot Rod Air".

I know there are adverts in Rolling magazine for a fellow in, I think, New York who builds brackets to attach a Sanden compressor to the B18/B20.

--
Mr. Shannon DeWolfe -- I've taken to using mister because my name misleads folks on the WWW. I am a 52 year old fat man. ;-)