How to refit the Radiator on a car with AC? (solved)

[TorqueHorse]

Admirable work, taking this on. I'm thinking about attempting something similar soon. Do you have any photos of your progress? Do you think it is possible to change out the A/C condenser without removing the engine coolant radiator?
I recently got a new A/C condenser (that I think is) for an R-12 Fed spec system from SJ . The supplier Dave Bean in California also had one when I last checked a couple months ago.

[Simon_P]

Dave Pink thought if you have work to do in that area then bumper off is the best option.

Yeah easy if you are removing the condenser but the question was how to refit the radiator on a car with A/C which sort of suggest that you want to leave it in place and not have the hassle of degas/regas.

Admirable work, taking this on. I'm thinking about attempting something similar soon. Do you have any photos of your progress? Do you think it is possible to change out the A/C condenser without removing the engine coolant radiator?
I recently got a new A/C condenser (that I think is) for an R-12 Fed spec system from SJ . The supplier Dave Bean in California also had one when I last checked a couple months ago.

this is different for UK/RoW cars

[Simon_P]

Any ideas where I can get a new one? Coolex ?

that would be a good start - I don't think they are complicated but there are 3 versions with different mountings and pipe connections - UK R12 and R134a you could probably commonise the mountings. I might be interested as mine has stopped working after 20 years and it had a new pump 1000 miles ago.

[cellaway]

I think you can take the aircon condenser out without removing the rad. The bumper does have to be removed and that is real fun. There’s a good You Tube vid of it which covers most of the issues. The fed spec is a little different but no enough to make real problems. The bottom of the condensor is held in by the rigid pipes and the top by a couple of M6 screws and nyloc nuts. At the moment I haven’t got a clue as to which version of aircon I have. SJ are advertising a fed spec condenser so I’ll go and look to see if they are the same. How do you find out which system is fitted ? The 2 pipe fixings are different . RH : 19 to 17mm. LH : 17 to 15 mm. I can’t remember if the pipes are the same diameter, I’ll have a look next time.
Taking the bumper off was a good move. The underneath of the transverse beam was rusted out so I will have to plate that to strengthen that area and also to prefab new top rad mounting tabs. One is still semi intact and in place so will be a good reference point. It’s an awkward place to weld but taking the beam off will be difficult. There’s enough good steel to be secure, looks to be 16 gauge.

[TorqueHorse]

I recently got a new A/C condenser (that I think is) for an R-12 Fed spec system from SJ . The supplier Dave Bean in California also had one when I last checked a couple months ago.

this is different for UK/RoW cars

Were you saying that for me, for Cellaway, or for future/other readers of this thread looking for information? I realize this thread was started by an Aussie and now we've got people chiming in about their cars from at least 3 different continents and who knows how many different setups, so yes, everyone should check their own car for the right condenser/system. I thought cellaway had a Fed spec, so was linking to the Fed spec condenser (I think!)

I think you can take the aircon condenser out without removing the rad. The bumper does have to be removed and that is real fun...

thanks!

[cellaway]

Yes, my car is fed spec. Has anyone removed the top transverse beam , any real problems ? Or does the clam shell have to come off ?
Chriso

[cellaway]

There was no foil on my car. There is the crash absorption matrix sticking out 8n front. At the moment I'm trying g to take the top transverse beam off as it will make the repairs so much easier

[cellaway]

Nothings easy on our cars. On the rear edge of the traverse beam there is an upstanding that fouls with the clam shell. So the beam won’t just slide out. There isn’t enough room to get an angle grinder in and as they are made of two thicknesses of substantial steel, you can’t drift them flat. So as a couple of the nuts have sheared off the next move is “clam shell off” Tuga has composed a You Tube vid of it so I’ll watch that and hopefully sort out this part of the fed spec odyssey. Are there any problems I need to look out for ?……….

[cellaway]

Actually on second thoughts, perhaps if I loosen the clam shell mounting bolts, perhaps I can lift the front a couple of centimetres and that will give me enough space. Tuga’s vid is very helpful.

Chriso

[Tuga2112]

Actually on second thoughts, perhaps if I loosen the clam shell mounting bolts, perhaps I can lift the front a couple of centimetres and that will give me enough space. Tuga’s vid is very helpful.

Chriso

i have replaced the radiator on a AC car (uk) many moons ago. in that case i already had the bumper out, but i never touched that clam shell.
i would strongly advise staying away from the clam shell unless your either painting the car, or removing the engine (i dont think anyone removing the engine has taken out the clam. but i would consider it a potential step in order to clean up the chassis and address any potential [unlikely] rust)

i dont think the bumper needs to come out to replace a radiator. but in my case, both times i done it it was out, due to circunstances, in fact the second time, the whole clam was also out. but thats a video that probably will not make it to the public domain, coolex would probably sue me for all the opinions i share about them....

[Fredjohn]

João
Don't forget the Fed bumper and supporting structure are quite different from the UK models.
So what may be possible with UK model may not be with the Fed model.

[Tuga2112]

João
Don't forget the Fed bumper and supporting structure are quite different from the UK models.
So what may be possible with UK model may not be with the Fed model.

oh yes, i keep forgetting the "fed" detail.

this is becoming a recurring theme with this thread.

Suggest the moderators or OP to edit the thread title to state "in a fed car" maybe ?

[cellaway]

I’m going to transfer this thread to car projects major