[dat1212]

I'm thinking about moving my radiator from the V8 position to the 6 cyl. position. My question is this... can I leave my Vintage Air condenser in its original position and just swap the radiator and fan positions? I plan to use a radiator relocation bracket and switching my SPAL fan from a pusher to a puller and hopefully improve cooling. I've attached a diagram to show my ideas. Is it OK to sandwich the A/C condenser between the radiator and fan :questionmark:

 

[Rick_L]

No, the condenser should always mount between the grille and the radiator, and the fan should be behind the radiator.

 

[dat1212]

How difficult would it be to move the A/C condenser? The hoses and pipe fittings seem pretty rigid. Is it time to visit a "specialist"? Thanks for the info.

 

[acardon]

Do you have 134 or R12 in the A/C?
Can you post a picture of the condensor lines? Most are hard lines and you can get them in different lengths but you'll have to bleed the system and recharge.
As Rick said, the condensor won't work behind the radiator because it raises the ambient temperature across the condensor way too high.

 

[dat1212]

I added pictures of the A/C lines. I don't know if I have 134 or R12 in the A/C. I didn't install the A/C unit. How could I tell which refrigerant I have? It looks like this "little" project may have gotten a bit more complicated. I haven't had the car long enough to really determine if a change is needed to improve cooling. The car only overheated one time and the fan seemed to recover pretty quickly when I stopped at a light. Other suggestions from members were that a "puller" fan was more efficient than a "pusher". I figured a fan mounted on the engine side in "puller" mode would better cool the system while driving. Would the radiator, fan, and condenser move be worth the effort and $$$ ?

 

[jwmbishop]

When you look at the caps from your service ports - r12 looks like a tire valve stem (schrader style), while r134 looks like an air hose chuck male (and the service port cap is quite large).

 

[jwmbishop]

Okay when ya'll talk v8 and 6cyl position for some reason my mind saw cross flow and down flow respectively - looking at the pics now I am obviously not quite understanding... lol
What IS the difference?
edit: never mind I restudied the diagram - six being longer mounted fwd of core support 8 to get better pull from fan mounted aft! Obviously before plastic mouldings - less shroud saved $$.

 

[fiddlerpin]

You don't want to mount the a/c condenser downstream of the radiator. The condenser needs to remove it's heat load and if it's downstream of the radiator it will pick up more heat load and overheat the a/c system. (I am a hvac service tech in the field for over 28 years) You could even rupture a line installing it that way. Don't do it!!

 

[fiddlerpin]

I see you also have an air gap between the condenser and the radiator so the push fan is really only helping the condenser cool. You need to seal the openings on each side of the condenser so the pusher fan can move air thru both the condenser and the radiator. Jim

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Dat.....Moving a 57 V8 radiator to the 6 cyl position is more difficult than on a 55/56....You will have make a cut-out in the hood baffle for the upper inlet and it may not clear the cross bar.