Where/How to make custom A/C Hard Lines?

[Ripped]

With the serpentine swap complete, it has placed the compressor on the opposite side of the car. Also the condenser fittings are on the opposite side.
I am going to try and get a new condenser with reversed fittings, along with a few other items.

Custom hard pipes would really clean things up in the engine bay.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

[showdog75]

I save any extra hardline stuff I come across so I can cut and weld to make up what I need. Not sure where to get a flare tool that does the ends. I'd like to know myself.

[Twentyover]

It is possible to use flare fittings for hardlines and hoses. Flares were used for years until GM went to a Tube-O fitting common thru most of the 90's. Recessed O-Rings were used in the early 90's to mitigate leaks caused by O-Ring nicks on installation, the lead-in pilot used to better align the O-Ring. The double O-Ring fittings in common use today is a further refinement to reduce leaks.


I save any extra hardline stuff I come across so I can cut and weld to make up what I need. Not sure where to get a flare tool that does the ends. I'd like to know myself.

[lxg44]

I had to relocate my AC dyer and used the aluminum U-Bend Em lines for Vintage Air. They are pre-made lines with the ends installed available in 12" increments up to 72". You can bend them with a standard tubing bender to make a custom fit. This was one I made up from a 12" U-Bend Em line. I painted it black to hide it behind the grille.

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[Ripped]

I had to relocate my AC dyer and used the aluminum U-Bend Em lines for Vintage Air. They are pre-made lines with the ends installed available in 12" increments up to 72". You can bend them with a standard tubing bender to make a custom fit. This was one I made up from a 12" U-Bend Em line. I painted it black to hide it behind the grille.

172364

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Thanks a lot

That's awesome!!

[Perry M]

I see you are using a Vintage Air dryer. Can you tell me which one you are using as the only horizontal ones I see are polished or black anodized ones. I would also like to mount a trinary switch on it as you did. It looks like yours has fittings at both ends.

[showdog75]

Having to cut and weld my #6 hard line coming from the condenser to the dryer.

[lxg44]

I see you are using a Vintage Air dryer. Can you tell me which one you are using as the only horizontal ones I see are polished or black anodized ones. I would also like to mount a trinary switch on it as you did. It looks like yours has fittings at both ends.

This is the replacement dryer I bought from Summit.

(https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-07323-vuc?rrec=true)https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-07321-vuc?rrec=true

This is the same dryer but includes the trinary switch.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-07323-vuc?rrec=true

[showdog75]

I see you are using a Vintage Air dryer. Can you tell me which one you are using as the only horizontal ones I see are polished or black anodized ones. I would also like to mount a trinary switch on it as you did. It looks like yours has fittings at both ends.

I may be wrong but I don't think his dryer is horizontal instead the picture is turned 90°.

[Perry M]

OMG, you are right. I sure missed that one. Thanks

[lxg44]

I may be wrong but I don't think his dryer is horizontal instead the picture is turned 90°.


That was a good catch! Its funny, on my phone the pictures are oriented correctly so I looked right past the horizontal part.

[Hey_Allen]

Having to cut and weld my #6 hard line coming from the condenser to the dryer. I have to ask, what technique are you using for the welds on the HVAC lines? Is this just standard TIG, silver hard solder/braze (doesn't look like it) or something else? Thanks for any info.

[showdog75]

I have to ask, what technique are you using for the welds on the HVAC lines? Is this just standard TIG, silver hard solder/braze (doesn't look like it) or something else? Thanks for any info.

Good ol tig

[Hey_Allen]

Good ol tig

Thanks.

Definitely need to work on my TIG skills, two projects already pending that need it, and this makes three!

[OldTimer]

Having to cut and weld my #6 hard line coming from the condenser to the dryer.

Man... you've got some advanced TIG welding skills. I switched from a driver's side V-belt compressor to a serpentine that puts the compressor on the passenger side, so I ordered new hard lines from VA.