AC Overhaul to R134A

[tomstin]

I hope you all can help clear up some confusion I have with overhauling my AC. I've been beating back one problem at a time since I took on this project of raising a 325E from the dead. I'm now on to the AC system and I think its time to replace everything except the hard lines. I've searched and found bits and pieces.

First question, I see in various sites use this compressor of you have Behr/Bosh or this one for Denso. I have a Sanden SD-709 installed. What compressor should I use and do I need the "special" mounting bracket?

Next, rubber lines. Is there a single source for all the rubber lines (other than the mother ship BMW)? I can't seem to find a place the has them all no less a good source to reference each hose. Even RealOEM seems to contradict itself (compressor page vs the hose page)...or maybe I'm missing something.

[thmpr464]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-97-AC/101-Projects-97-AC.htm

[cory58]

There is a great R134 conversion thread in the FAQ/DIY section.

[jeffnhiscars]

The hoses to the condenser are available aft market from a number of sources. The ones above the glove are a challenge. One is NLA and the other seems to only be available directLy from BMW for a steep price. Your best bet is to see if you have a local AC shop who can upgrade your existing hoses to barrier. That's what I just did with an actual pair of NIB hoses I bought from Europe as they were not barrier.

If you have a mounted 709 def learn about compressor configurations (there aren't that many) and find a new one that fits your mounts. New mounts are also NLA and Any number of good online suppliers can help you figure that one out.

[Das Delfin]

Search around on Google. There are places that can refurbish your old lines. They basically use your old ones as mock-ups and fabricate new lines. I found a place that averaged $50 each. You need 5 I believe

[TobyB]

Fittings, inc can do it here- I bet you can find someone close to you....

t

[jeffnhiscars]

I had a few conversations with AC shops about hose upgrades. One shop, who specialized in classic cars said they could find sweat on fittings to go with the metric tube sizes. Having done enough plumbing I figured you can braze or solder with a mediocre fit but they didn't want to do it.

Shop I found had a machine that allowed them to compress the pipe after cutting off the old ferrule/fitting so it was a perfect fit for the sweat on ferrules they had in stock. This was what they sent back.