Well guys I've got all the lines, evaporator canister etc for my A/C but what I wanted to find out is that given the amount of time that they have been unsealed, about 3 years, are they even usable? And if not then how much would I be looking at to have all new line run from the firewall to the ac compressor and back? Which I might just have done anyway if I can afford to do it as the stock Ford lines aren't that pretty to look at.
And yes I want A/C I don't care if it robs 5 horsepower and adds weight to my vehicle.
Is this for the 3.8 or the 5.0 going in?
if i were you, i would bolt everything up and let the ac folks pull vac on the system.,, granted you do install new orings in the spring loaded fittings and teflon tape your JIC / Flair fittings.
From there id take a chance, three years aint really that long unless you had them laying out in the sun or weather. the oil in your system should have preserved the interior of the lines but its just speculation on if they are any good or not. My guess is it really wont cost that much to see if the system hold vac or not prior to them converting to the r134.
AC only robs HP if you are using it...
If it's been open for the three years, you need to replace the dryer/receiver as a minimum and replace all the "O" rings... Then it will have to have a vacuum pulled on the system before being recharged...
BTW Not absolutely sure, but if you have the 5.0, I believe the high side pressure line is no longer available... The one for the Mustang or LSC Lincoln can be used, but it routes across the top of the dist...
In '02 I did same to mine, plus repl the low pressure line with the orifice tube(pressure line was on national back order at the time, so I reused orig), and it will still about freeze you out... I have replaced the compressor clutch, but it was about shot when I reinst the compressor...
Tom
I have put many old part A/c systems together. I tell you to get some flush and flush all the lines and yes raplce all the o-rings. The most important part to replace would be the receiver/dyrer you don't want water in the system. Put it all together. Then have someplace pressurize it with nitrogen. That will help you find any other leaks. Then have it vaced down. Then you can put the R134a in it.
I was able to purchase a new suction line, liquid line, and pressure line for the 5.0L Bird from Napa. All the lines fit great and they include new Goodyear hoses. The most expensive line is the suction line with the reciever/dryer attached. The suction line was about $180. At minimum, I would buy a new suction line with reciever/dryer that has new desicant to keep moisture out of the system.