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A/C condenser: new or old? #2605350
01/12/19 12:57 PM
01/12/19 12:57 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 635
Graz, Austria
DGS Offline OP
mopar
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When adding A/C to your car would you rather get a new condenser (aluminum most likely) or use a nice original condenser (brass?)?
It seems the old ones are of a better quality?

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605358
01/12/19 01:13 PM
01/12/19 01:13 PM
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SoMd, USA
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135sohc Offline
mopar
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SoMd, USA
Original always fits the best and most likely made better.

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605368
01/12/19 01:52 PM
01/12/19 01:52 PM
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Pattison Texas
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The new one that is made to use r134a, NOT R12 like the original one is.

Last edited by csk; 01/12/19 01:52 PM.

1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI
512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim
2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605375
01/12/19 01:57 PM
01/12/19 01:57 PM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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I have my original but will install a new aluminium replacement, but direct stock replacement, exactly same piece than original

this is for 73/74 Charger

https://www.ebay.com/itm/73-74-Dodge-Ply...aeVlC:rk:1:pf:0

Aluminium disipates better the heat so should be better to get more cold into the cab, I guess. I hope my car will be working this year to check it.


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605383
01/12/19 02:10 PM
01/12/19 02:10 PM
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Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag Offline
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I got an NOS unit for my car when I did it . . . . although the original in the car still looked good, I did not want to take a chance . . . pretty sure the OE and NOS unit were Aluminum . . .

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: a12rag] #2605393
01/12/19 02:32 PM
01/12/19 02:32 PM
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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Originally Posted By a12rag
I got an NOS unit for my car when I did it . . . . although the original in the car still looked good, I did not want to take a chance . . . pretty sure the OE and NOS unit were Aluminum . . .


i was going to say the same thing. back in my junkyard ownership days, [1972-1984] we sold radiators [brass/copper] and condensers [aluminum] separately for scrap.
i can't remember ever seeing a copper/brass condenser from any american manufacturer.
beer

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: moparx] #2605452
01/12/19 03:58 PM
01/12/19 03:58 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 635
Graz, Austria
DGS Offline OP
mopar
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Originally Posted By moparx
Originally Posted By a12rag
I got an NOS unit for my car when I did it . . . . although the original in the car still looked good, I did not want to take a chance . . . pretty sure the OE and NOS unit were Aluminum . . .


i was going to say the same thing. back in my junkyard ownership days, [1972-1984] we sold radiators [brass/copper] and condensers [aluminum] separately for scrap.
i can't remember ever seeing a copper/brass condenser from any american manufacturer.
beer


Good to know! I thought they were brass like the radiators are.

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605457
01/12/19 04:11 PM
01/12/19 04:11 PM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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my original ( Charger 74 ) IS NOT aluminium... is iron


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605520
01/12/19 06:28 PM
01/12/19 06:28 PM
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Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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I would use a new one unless you are charging the system with R12. R12 is a better refrigerant that R134A, so in order to dump the same amount of heat, R134A requires a more efficient condenser. Modern universal, retrofit and reproduction condensers are made for R134A so your vintage R12 condenser may not cool well especially at low speeds.

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605530
01/12/19 06:53 PM
01/12/19 06:53 PM
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Posts: 14,889
up yours
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Now sure how a more efficient condenser would cool worse with R12 than R134.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605683
01/13/19 12:34 AM
01/13/19 12:34 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline
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The increased surface area accompanied with a stacked plate [modern] style condenser is a more efficient design than a tube and fun [old].

Unless OEM-like aesthetics take priority, I don't see why you would run a tube and fin. Aside from potentially being cheaper.


1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi
2020 RAM 1500
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2605791
01/13/19 11:24 AM
01/13/19 11:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
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Greer, SC
TooMany62s Offline
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I converted my old pickup from r12 to r134 a long time ago. I also changed to a rotary compressor at that time. The AC worked OK but not as good as before. An AC expert friend of mine convinced me to change to a condenser designed for r134. I changed the condenser to one specifically intended for r134. The difference was remarkable. My pickup cools much better now.

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: NachoRT74] #2605792
01/13/19 11:26 AM
01/13/19 11:26 AM
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Greer, SC
TooMany62s Offline
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Originally Posted By NachoRT74
my original ( Charger 74 ) IS NOT aluminium... is iron
I think that would be the compressor?

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: TooMany62s] #2605810
01/13/19 12:12 PM
01/13/19 12:12 PM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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Originally Posted By TooMany62s
Originally Posted By NachoRT74
my original ( Charger 74 ) IS NOT aluminium... is iron
I think that would be the compressor?


no, I'm talking about the condenser. It got a crack once and was fixed at the Y on top passenger side. Is the same iron tube as far I could tell used on gas and tranny oil colling lines.

But definitelly is not aluminium


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: GoodysGotaCuda] #2605812
01/13/19 12:15 PM
01/13/19 12:15 PM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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Originally Posted By GoodysGotaCuda
The increased surface area accompanied with a stacked plate [modern] style condenser is a more efficient design than a tube and fun [old].

Unless OEM-like aesthetics take priority, I don't see why you would run a tube and fin. Aside from potentially being cheaper.


there are two kinds of these... serpent tube which is the original kind and parallel tubes which has being told is more efficient ?.



In my case I'm going original design but aluminium just right to keep same original look.


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: NachoRT74] #2605908
01/13/19 03:22 PM
01/13/19 03:22 PM
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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Originally Posted By NachoRT74
Originally Posted By TooMany62s
Originally Posted By NachoRT74
my original ( Charger 74 ) IS NOT aluminium... is iron
I think that would be the compressor?


no, I'm talking about the condenser. It got a crack once and was fixed at the Y on top passenger side. Is the same iron tube as far I could tell used on gas and tranny oil colling lines.

But definitelly is not aluminium


i have seen fittings of a type of steel silver soldered, or brazed, onto an aluminum condenser tube. the reason being, that steel and aluminum will corrode together, making removal of the threaded fitting impossible without destroying one, or both threaded fittings. we always chopped those off with bolt cutters before tossing them in the scrap pile. maybe your condenser was like that ? an iron condenser would weigh a ton [figuratively speaking], and i would think as thin as the tube mass is, would have cracking issues from vibrations that are always present. maybe export stuff was/is different than anything i have experience with ? shruggy or possibly, your condenser was a light weight steel tube design ? occasionally, we would run across one of those, but could immediately identify it based on just how heavy it "felt", as opposed to the "normal" aluminum condensers.
beer

Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2606219
01/13/19 11:58 PM
01/13/19 11:58 PM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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I have had both in hands, my original and the new aluminium one I have... the original IS NOT ALUMINIUM. tsk beer


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2606236
01/14/19 12:37 AM
01/14/19 12:37 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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put a magnet on it


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: DGS] #2606264
01/14/19 01:26 AM
01/14/19 01:26 AM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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The fix/weld was made in fact with acetylene gas and copper wire! ( dunno how you call that kind of welding job ). That is not posible with aluminium.

( my car is 1k miles from home )


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: A/C condenser: new or old? [Re: NachoRT74] #2606447
01/14/19 02:18 PM
01/14/19 02:18 PM
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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Originally Posted By NachoRT74
The fix/weld was made in fact with acetylene gas and copper wire! ( dunno how you call that kind of welding job ). That is not posible with aluminium.

( my car is 1k miles from home )


not doubting you at all nacho. just stating my personal experience.
today, there are so many methods of joining, or repairing, unlike materials, [with, or without heat] and since i wasn't there at the time, i can only guess.
my only question is whether your original was "iron".
i'll bet our individual interpretation of material is what is causing the confusion.
"iron" to me is usually a part made of the same [type] of material an intake or exhaust manifold is made out of, or brake master cylinder, of which parts are cast.
to cast, or form, an "iron" condenser would be quite the task, plus be brittle in use as i have previously stated.
steel, on the other hand, would be easy to fab into a condenser, and be very rugged in use. i'll bet that is what you have, and i have lost that fact in translation.
sorry if i have unnecessarily ruffled your feathers ! that was not my attempt. please forgive.
beer

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