Ok. I asked the guys in the A/C department this same question, but its not active enough to get a response. I am needing practically everything for the A/C system on my 78 351M. The only thing that I have is the (what I think is) the evaporator coil, its on the firewall. My question is should I go to a junk yard, or buy new/reman parts that have been converted to 134a? I know this has kinda been covered before, but I coulnt find it anywhere.

 

You know your looking at a big job. If it were me I'd bite the bullet and go to an AC shop for a 134a conversion setup. You need new hoses, compressor etc.

 

[/IMG] For my 78 I used the compressor that was already on the 97 motor, a condenser from an 1988 F150, a drier from a 2004 toyota tundra, going into my original expansion valve, then into the original evaporator, and back into the compressor. This is what I had to work with and it does really well.

 

"2-60" is the best type of a/c........you know, 2 windows down and 60 MPH ......I don't like going out to get in my truck from outside, get chilly from a a/c unit, then get Hot again as soon as you open the truck door myself..............so my truck having no a/c unit suits me just fine.........just a power/gasoline robber anyhow

 

As strange as it sounds, and some people will argue this, but all R12 parts with work with R134a. I know this from doing it many times without any issues.Only thing I ever did was flush the lines, replaced the o-rings and used everything that was already in place.

 

I ve got an extra compressor off of a 77 or 78?? Let me know if you would be interested and I can send you some pictures, price and shipping cost.

 

You can go the junkyard and get used evaporators if you want, but the main thing is going to be you compressor. Most all compressors and can be retro fitted to 134A. Your exisiting evaporator and all sohould work. You should make sure that you flush your system out, and get yourself a vacuum pump to pull it down into a vac to 1. check for leaks in the system, and 2. remove any non-condensibles. If it is all sealed and no leaks(holds a vacuum), and your compressor works, then just buy a retro fit kit and convert it. If your compressor is bad, then you get one from the salvage yard too, but you don't know what you are getting. Very hard to tell if you got a good unit untill you run it. 134A doesn't get as cold as 12, but will work fine. There are also drop in replacement refridgerants for r-12 available also. As far as testing for leaks, you can take your gauges and fill it up with an inert gas(we use nitrogen), and spray it down with soapy water. Find the leaks and repair them, make sure the compressor is good, vacuum it out, charge it(weigh it in if you can), then your cool off. Hope I helped a little. By the way, I do have an A/C license (IMACA), in case you might wonder LOL. Have a good one!

Michael

 

Well I just wanted to update yall on whats going on. I ordered a 73-79 Ford MPC so I could have a diagram on what went where and I could get some idea on what I am doing. Beartracks, I will probably end up doing what you said. Im thinking if I can find most of the parts I will then take it and let them put it together. I could go with the 2-60 style, but im in Texas, it only got to 109 this summer.

 

The MPC: 1973/79 FORD LIGHT TRUCK PARTS CATALOG (if you got the HEAVY MPC, it's wrong, it's only for F600 and larger trucks) can be bear to use, so here's a little help.

There are two sectons: Text & Illustrations.

For A/C diagrams, look here:

Illustration Section 196; Pages 18 & 19.
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There is no specific illustration for the A/C engine mounted accessories for 351M/400's, so you'll have to use this:

Illustration Section 197; Page 19, which will be very close.
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Find a 1977/78 LTD or Mercury Marquis in a wrecking yard with a 351M/400.

The compressor & clutch, mounting brackets, idler pulleys, and etc. are the same as the F100/350's used.

The cars VIN's begin with the year: 7 = 1977, 8 = 1978. 1975/76's do not use all the same parts. 1979's are completely different and didn't come with 351M/400's.

If you need any additional help with the MPC, you can P/M or email me.

If you want to include your phone number, that will be a BIG plus, because typing this jazz on the internet is time consuming and may be confusing.

 

The newer style compressors are much smoother and efficeient. Such as Sanden and I think Sanyo.

 

Some Fords have used Nippondenso A/C compressors since 1983.

 

O.K thanks a million. I just ordered it Thursday so I should be getting it any day now. I will give you a shout when it gets in.

 

Feel free to contact me, because to a newbie, the parts catalogs can be mindboggling to use.

 

how much do one of those parts catalogs cost?

 

Hey bill, I want to know how much those catalogs are too, and being the parts guy, I thought maybe you might know off the top of your head what size the bolts are that bolt the motor mounts to the block?

Thanks,
Michael