AC lines for tight radius

[BigBlockOlds]

So the car is painted and I'm finally to the point of pulling the dash back out so that I can finalized a few things with the wiring and HVAC before putting it back for good.

One of these items is running the AC and heater lines from my bulkhead fitting on the firewall to my evaporator unit.

My problem is that I have very little space behind the dash and the bulkhead fitting is pretty close to the inlets/outlets on the evaporator so typical #10 and #8 barrier hose and fittings are not going to be an option.

Anyone have ideas on the best course of action with what to make these lines from? I would really like to do aluminum hard line however I doubt I could get the bend tight enough even on those to fit properly. My other idea was to use the expensive Aeroquip stainless braided line since it's outside diameter is only around a 1/2" for the #10 line.

Beyond that I think my only option would be to modify the A/C firewall panel I made to give myself more room. If I have to I could probably move the bulkhead fitting out towards the front of the car further. Was just trying to avoid that because it's going to be tough to get that entire firewall plate back out with the engine and inner fenders in the way.

You can see what I'm dealing with the photos below:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/AC01-1.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/FE3X_CLONE/media/FE3X%20Build/A-C-01.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/Firewall02-1.jpg (http://s105.photobucket.com/user/FE3X_CLONE/media/FE3X%20Build/Firewall-02.jpg.html)

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

[parsonsj]

Have you checked out EZ-clip AC hose? It's got very tight radius support and is easy to work with.

[renegade6]

Would it work with the standard line and using a 180 degree fitting?

[sjaroslo]

http://www.vintageair.com/2013catalog/2013%20VintageAir%20Catalog%20Webpgs%2074.pdf

I think that I've also seen a larger selection of hose ends at another site, maybe an Eaton or Aeroquip page.... This hose is crazy slim.

[Spork82]

Can this hose be used to plumb the whole system?

[parsonsj]

Can this hose be used to plumb the whole system?Yes.

[Spork82]

I just ordered a whole wack of aeroquip ez clip fittings and hose from www.hosewarehouse.com it was a third the price if I bought it from Summit! And I found the pliers on ebay for $25 shipped, much better than the $70-80 everyone else is charging.

Site isn't the easiest to navigate but take your time and you will figure it out. They also give you the option of having your lines made up for additional cost.

[BigBlockOlds]

Are the EZ clip hoses able to make a tighter radius turn without collapsing? The reason I ask is that they really aren't that much smaller in diameter than standard barrier hose.

#10 barrier hose is around 1" OD and the EZ clip stuff is 7/8".

[Spork82]

Its extremely flexible, For your setup from what I can see this this what I would do:
evap -10 straight fitting to hose to a 90 -10 fitting to bulkhead (Clock the fitting so it creates a nice curve in the hose)
Evap -6 straight (so it points further down) to hose to a 90 -6 to bulkhead so it kind of loops down and back up.


Totally doable for your setup.

P.S. I found a seller on ebay that has the Pliers and hose for dirt cheap, he also has some fittings. The rest of the stuff I bought from www.hosewarehouse.com

[sjaroslo]

Are the EZ clip hoses able to make a tighter radius turn without collapsing? The reason I ask is that they really aren't that much smaller in diameter than standard barrier hose.

#10 barrier hose is around 1" OD and the EZ clip stuff is 7/8".

Are you sure of your measurements? I can't check right now but I think there was a huge difference between the normal hose that Vintage Air sells and the EZ Clip stuff, but I might be mistaken.

[BigBlockOlds]

Are you sure of your measurements? I can't check right now but I think there was a huge difference between the normal hose that Vintage Air sells and the EZ Clip stuff, but I might be mistaken.

I measured the hose I have and it was between 7/8" to 1-1/8". I had it installed a while back and because of the curve it had the hose is a little flat. Hence the two different measurements.

This was hose that I bought from the local Car Quest and had them install fittings on for in the engine bay.

[sjaroslo]

I know that I'm splitting hairs here but the VA #10 EZ Clip hose is just over 3/4" (.78" per VA's spec). 1/10" of an inch isn't the biggest difference in the big picture, I understand....

http://www.vintageair.com/2013catalog/2013%20VintageAir%20Catalog%20Webpgs%2074.pdf

[wayward]

Can you put a small loop in the line?

Make a soft turn in lieu of a 90 degree bend?