AC hose crimping Tool

[WagonCrazy]

I guess I've never had a problem thusfar with the heater valve NOT staying shut all the way. The valve that came with my Gen 4 system is servo driven (electric). The one in my 9 passenger wagon is cable driven. Never had a problem with them closing but I could see how that would heat up the cool air from the AC condensor if it did.

[chevynut]

Wow, those Gates PowerGrip clamps sure are nice!!! Just finished building my heater hoses.

If anyone needs some of these go to NAPA. The ones I have say NAPA on them along with the Gates logo and they were under $3 each. They're $3.99 plus shipping at Jegs.

[WagonCrazy]

I'm gonna keep keep this AC install thread here, instead of over in the Member Project Update forum, where I have a more complete description of the Nomad build going on. Since it' kind of reads like a book based on a guy who is plodding his way thru this for (really) the first time.

Update:
The 2 lengths of aluminum hardline from VA ended up not being the right way to do it. Besides the fact that they were about 4 inches long, I didn't have a 1/2 inch bender. "But Paul, I thought those were supposed to be 5/8 diameter hardlines?" Yeah...that's what I thought too...but when they showed up from Summit, they are in fact 1/2 inch diameter lines. Too small for hot water to travel thru...

So back to the drawing board. Ahaaa....How about I go to the local auto parts store, and just browse around for a "preformed" 5/8 rubber heater line, and then cut it to yield the 2 pieces I need to fit the 90 degree bends to go thru the firewall.

BINGO.

IMG_1719.jpg

Here's some mockup pics. Here's the actual hole in the firewall.

IMG_1732.jpg

In these next pics, the cardboard mimics' the hole in the firewall, so I could cut the 2 new heater hoses exactly, and get all 4 hoses oriented properly to fit thru the firewall.

IMG_1729.jpgIMG_1730.jpgIMG_1731.jpg

Next step is to mount the AC unit back under the dash, and route those hoses thru the firewall hole and continue with the crimping and hookup to the rest of the hose sections.

More pics to come when that's done.

All this for some cold air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chevynut]

Sounds like you're getting there.

BTW Paul, I forgot to mention that The Parker Store crimped my A/C hoses for free.

[WagonCrazy]

BTW Paul, I forgot to mention that The Parker Store crimped my A/C hoses for free.

Of course Laszlo. You're in Colorado...so they took your hoses, went into the back, smoked a dube, crimped 'em, then brought 'em back up front and forgot to charge you because they had the munchies and were headed out for food.

Here in CA, we pay for EVERYTHING. Our local Napa store gets $6 per crimp. Not many other places around in Santa Clarita to do crimping. Now that I have the tool, I can do 'em myself (once in a lifetime!)

[WagonCrazy]

Couple of days ago, I got a PM from a member BBPanel. He was nice enough to spot my Vintage Air (provided) "solenoid" heater valve and tell me that VA had stopped selling those a couple of years ago, in favor of a newer "servo activated" heater valve. Couple of clicks later, and Summit had one on it's way. Here's a pic of the old and the new.

IMG_1737.jpg

The solenoid apparently got hot, real hot when you had it in the open position. Apparently VA decided to change that going forward.

Any one want to buy my "vintage" hard-to-find solenoid heater valve now?

[1oldmf]

here is where I get most of my fittings,
http://www.techchoiceparts.com/ac-fittings

and back to orig poster, I have the hyd crimper from mastercool,
it came with dies for std and barrier hose,
if your doing any quantity of hoses, its well worth the price, as all you do is squeeze the lever
to crimp, instead of tightening a bolt,
I try to use O ring fittings where ever possible, as they seal better.( at least for me)
I've done hundreds of hoses using this crimper, with no leakage issues,

[WagonCrazy]

I've done hundreds of hoses using this crimper, with no leakage issues

That's great to hear 1oldmofo. Thanks for boosting my confidence in the finished product. With limited feedback on the Mastercool crimp tool anywhere else, I'm not sure if these connections will be ok, but I have to trust that they will.

[WagonCrazy]

Well the system is now completely plumbed in and tightened up. I will not be filling it with refrigerant until well after I get this Nomad running and road tested. But I needed to completely plumb it in, so I can continue with everything else that penetrates the new firewall, and continue to get the front end sheet metal back on and all the wiring run.

Here's some pics of the finished plumbing:

IMG_1741.jpg IMG_1742.jpg IMG_1743.jpg IMG_1744.jpg IMG_1745.jpg IMG_1746.jpg IMG_1747.jpg IMG_1748.jpg

[chevynut]

Nice job Paul. BTW, my VA setup has that newer heater valve, that's why I asked about it earlier. It's pretty big. I was able to put the cable-controlled valve inside the car but this one is going to have to go forward of the firewall somewhere. Now I'm not sure if my heater hoses are compatible. It's always something.