Can I use the AC system from a 1993 -1996 e-150 with a 4.9 engine on the 1992 e-150 with the same engine with relative ease ? (this is essentially the same generation van)?

I have a 1992 e-150 4.9 inline 6. To be clear, I am not asking how to do an R-12 to R-134a conversion.


My e-150(1992) is R-12, and I am guessing 1993-1996 were R-134a. Using parts that were designed for R-134a would provide the greatest efficiency and performance of the system vs the typical retrofit of the existing R-12 system, especially when it comes to the condenser. If a 1993 + is essentially a "1992 with a R-134 system from the factory instead of r-12", it would be great to just use those parts.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

This will work just fine!
you‘ll need the condensor, evaporator, expansion tube, lines and compressor.

 

There is no exansion valve with the 1992 r-12 setup, but it seems there is one with the 1993+ r-134a setup. Where should that be installed ?
Also, is there an orifice tube that is used with the evaporator for the r-134a evaporator or is it a non-orifice tube setup ?

 

Do you have front and rear AC?

I was just glancing around at part numbers (front ac only) and what i am seeing is that 92 and 93 use the same evaporator. The 94 appears to be just a little larger. But looking at the evaporator case housing, they are the same at least from 92-94 I did not search 95 and 96.

It would be good to have a master parts catalog for your van. My catalog only goes up to 1990...
Rock Auto shows the same front evaporator for 92 and 93. RA lists the evaporator as being different in 1994. Slightly larger. They show a condenser for the 1992 using a 96 part number.

let me see if I can give you these links that might help.

I often open multiple windows with different years when searching parts so I can just jump back and forth to compare them.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...r+conditioning
1992

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...r+conditioning
1993

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...r+conditioning
by 1994 they use a different part and also sell a Motorcraft evaporator


Here is a more detailed site that shows the evaporator case being the same between the three different years but using a different evaporator. They also list an evaporator seal and it is the same for all 3 years. One thing different is that this link does show a difference in factory or dealer installed parts.

1992
https://www.tascaparts.com/v-1992-fo...ssor-and-lines

1993
https://www.tascaparts.com/v-1993-fo...ssor-and-lines

1994
https://www.tascaparts.com/v-1994-fo...ssor-and-lines

Here at FTE we also have a HVAC sub forum where you can also ask questions if you need to.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum61/

 

It's been two years since I started this thread but I left the AC conversion project and am coming back to it.

Thanks alot for this information. This is the type of information I was hoping for and I follow your logic.
I am not a mechanic but work on my own cars (Toyota, Honda) and it is MUCH easier to do part number comparisons for those brands. I don't understand the Ford Parts numbering system at all. In the physical FSM I have for my Ford van there is usually the middle part of the part number. Online, the OEM parts dealers don't provide much in terms of Ford parts diagrams for all the parts for my particular vehicle. It's really difficult to nail down the OEM part numbers for my van - can only do a Rock Auto comparison on aftermarket parts as you did to get answers.

Any help in how to actually get full OEM parts diagrams for my 1992 e-150 Inline 6 factory front AC only would be great.

 

This is good info.....My 90is I think probably toast so these links should work and give me some help with a conversion.

 

Explain the why?
Compressor, condenser and lines too?
Pretty tough to get the evaporator out of a van just to swap it over to R134a
I would be retrofitting your 1992 R12 system to work with R134a

 

I would not try to change out the condenser for sure, that's probably the biggest PIA. If the compressor you they have is good, just vacuum and change the oil from mineral to PAG. But the lines are a must change. The lines are a different type of rubber and the old R-12 lines can't stop the R-134a from seeping through, It a molecule thing...LOL I see on Ebay and Amazon these No name overseas made kits that they sell for $300 - $400. but I don't know how reliable they would be, I've been looking for some sort of under the dash self contained unit I could build into the van instead of replacing everything, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

 

Isn’t the condenser usually the biggest difference between R-12 and R-134a systems? Parallel flow and all that. If it’s the same part number, no need to change it.

Do you then charge to ‘93 R-134a specs?

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 198K miles

 

The condenser is different but just changes the high pressure gas into a high pressure liquid by cooling it
Both styles of condenser cool R134a just fine
The oil is the BIG difference
Add some ester oil (a few ounces) and then charge with some R134a
Get a retrofit kit, it will come with the fittings, ester oil and a couple of cans of R134a refrigerant

 

My memory was jogged a bit. Check the older thread below. I don't know if my lines were replaced or not but my converted '93 worked well for 6 years after I bought it. It still works now but only at highway speeds. I just learned that if the compressor cycles on and off a lot it means it's low on freon. Haven't checked it yet.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...periences.html

 

If you just add pag oil to mineral oil you make acid that eats the system up from the inside out
A few AC classes would be helpful for some of you
You do not need to change the hoses or hard lines to retrofit an AC system from R12 to R134a