Mustang A/C Upgrade: Install Fluid Lines and Hoses
Steve continues with the vintage air conditioning system by installing the fluid lines, fluid pressure safety switch, hooking up the electrical components and adding the hoses.
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Steve installs the a/c components in the engine compartment.
Steps:
Start by installing the line to the condenser and dryer. Don't tighten flair fittings too much. Just tighten down to snug for now.
The line is secured to the car body using a band clamp and screw.
Start the installation of the hoses by tightening down the nuts to snug by hand.
The air-conditioner O-rings
The system also comes with a fluid pressure safety switch that has an adapter and O-ring, which is installed onto the end. This makes it compatible with the end of the fluid line. Add some lubricating oil to the fitting and make the connection.
The safety switch detects any pressure loss in the fluid and thus prevents the compressor from engaging and burning up.
Install the wiring harness by installing the plug end of the harness onto the safety switch and the other wires are connected to the compressor.
The newly insalled a/c hose lines
To run the hoses into the car, start by taking the protective caps off which keep debris from getting inside the hoses.
Install fresh O-rings onto the fittings, which simply slide into place. Add a little oil to the fittings to keep them from galling.
The hoses are installed through the firewall using a grommet, which keeps engine dust and heat out of the interior of the car.
With a little persuasion, the grommet can be installed onto the hoses.
The hoses are placed into the car, slipping the ends through the firewall hole. The larger of the two hoses is the return side, or low-pressure line which bolts to the back of the compressor housing. It is also an O-ring style.
Tighten the fitting by hand, then snug it down with a wrench.
The pressure-side hose is connected to the compressor and tightened down to snug.
Now that the firewall grommet is in place, there is one more thing to screw in: a two piece metal hold-down bracket.