Need A/C

[70challengerrt]

I am in the process of hooking up my ac. I have a ac car but missing everything under the hood. I was at the salvage yard today and I saw a small block dart and took all the ac stuff (I got it cheap) and it doesn't even look close to what I need. I want to run a sanden compressor. I have the expansion valve, drier, evaperator, but just need to run lines. Can I run a heavy rubber simular to the original hoses and clamp the ends? Should I run back and take lines off another car? Can you buy new lines (prebent)? I have a crimping tool for the hose ends so that is not a problem.

[70challengerrt]

Is there any b-bodys or other years/ bodys that use the same hoses/ drier, etc.?

[71FJ6]

I have the same problem with my 71.It is my understanding that different models had different setups.On a Challenger big block a/c lines are different than small block.I have been looking for sometime for big block lines with no luck.

[ShelbyDogg]

I was able to get a newer compressor, condenser and lines out of a later model Mopar at the the junk yard too.  As long as you get all of the mating ends, you should be able to get it all hooked up.  If you can gas weld, you can modify the ends to match what you already have. If you can't, there are companies out there that will make any end fitting that you need.
As far as needing different length hoses, there are some new hoses out on the market that only need heat from a heat gun to shrink the ends down and seal them.  I'm starting to see then out in sales catalogs.

I ended up finding most of the A/C stuff on the ground at last year's Mopar Nats, so I didn't need the newer stuff.

[miketyler]

I went thru this on my car. All my underhood components were replaced with newer technology equipment. I designed the brackets for the Sanden myself. I bought the VintageAir universal line kit that comes with all the hoses, ends, O-rings, couplings, sleeves you would need.

The kit costs around $90 and includes a receiver/dryer.  Most places that sell the kits will swage your ends on your lines for free once you get hoses cut and end fittings indexed. Also, I bought a 26" true flow condensor that nicely matches the radiator size for around $50. Additionally, I did have to buy an expansion valve and clutch switch which were around $50 total IFRC.

The cool thing is that the original R12 system held something close to 3 cans of refrigerant. The new system only held a can and a half of 134. The sight glass on the receiver/dryer was crystal clear and it gets very cold. Also was pleasantly surpised out how little load the Sanden imposes on the engine.     

[dougs bs23]

In the process of setting a system up myself, maybe I'm wrong but I was told that an original compressor draws nearly 14 hp and the sandens are around 4, so, thats 10 more horses to kill rice with 

[70challengerrt]

I just won a complete underhood setup pulled from a 70 challenger. I also won a sanden compressor and 440 bracket so hopefull it comes soon and I will have air.

[Aussie Challenger]

  Make sure you always fit a new receiver/dryer, it removes any impurities and moisture which is in the system.
 The newer systems have a cut out switch for the compressor in the line, sometimes on the receiver/dryer. This is a good modification as if you loose the gas it automatically turns off the compressor saving it from running dry and dying on you.