Okay, I thought I would make it thru the summer without A/C in my Fiero. I was wrong! Today it rained while it was 88* outside. I do not mean a drizzle where you could keep the windows cracked open. I mean a torrential downpour. So... anyone know of a source to get hoses made to adapt the SC3800 compressor to the Fiero?

I do not have either set of hoses to "splice" into one set, so I am looking for a complete hose assembly ready to install.

Anyone?

Interestingly enough, Joe (RandomTask) said to me the other day that he was interested in maybe machining some adapters to sell on our web site, once we get it set up. You should ask him about making some for you.

-- Rodney

quote Originally posted by topcat: Okay, I thought I would make it thru the summer without A/C in my Fiero. I was wrong! Today it rained while it was 88* outside. I do not mean a drizzle where you could keep the windows cracked open. I mean a torrential downpour. So... anyone know of a source to get hoses made to adapt the SC3800 compressor to the Fiero? I do not have either set of hoses to "splice" into one set, so I am looking for a complete hose assembly ready to install. Anyone?

You can use the stock fiero Hose. You will need a retro kit, it's a large black plastic washer to adapt one side of the 3800 new style compressor. Comes with the R134 kit from the Fiero Store.

Hu'h? You mean all I need is an adapter that comes in a kit that the Fiero Store sells? Would the adapter you speak of be a part of this kit? (towards the bottom of the page)

I think Loyde sells the hoses now...I seem to remember him talking about that in a thread a while back.

Thanks Litespd... I sent him an email and he does make them, but he needs the customer to supply both Fiero and SC3800 hoses. I have neither, and would prefer not buying both of them separately since they can be quite expensive.

If the adapter that PC mentioned works with the stock Fiero hoses, that would be ideal. Can anyone enighten me a little pls. Buying a 50 dollar conversion kit that has an adapter, all seals, fittings, and oil for the 134 conversion sounds too good to be true.

when i was researching this swap i think i saw the stock hose can work but you need to replace the seals.

quote Originally posted by topcat: Thanks Litespd... I sent him an email and he does make them, but he needs the customer to supply both Fiero and SC3800 hoses. I have neither, and would prefer not buying both of them separately since they can be quite expensive. If the adapter that PC mentioned works with the stock Fiero hoses, that would be ideal. Can anyone enighten me a little pls. Buying a 50 dollar conversion kit that has an adapter, all seals, fittings, and oil for the 134 conversion sounds too good to be true.

Topcat send me your e-mail address in a pm. I will take a picture of the part and will give you one for 5$ plus shipping. I have about 4 of them. I would recommend replacing all the black R12 seals if that wasn't done already. You will need the two seals from the 3800 compressor they are round silver and black seals.

quote Originally posted by PCTECH: You can use the stock fiero Hose. You will need a retro kit, it's a large black plastic washer to adapt one side of the 3800 new style compressor. Comes with the R134 kit from the Fiero Store.

Is the stock V6 A/C hose the same as the Duke A/C hose?

------------------
Ron
Freedom isn't Free, it's paid for with the blood and dreams of those that have gone before us.
My imagination is the only limiting factor to my Fiero. Well, there is that money issue.

PM sent

Here is the Picture of the Gasket that works.


Here is the Fiero Line and the 3800 Line


Side View


Line with Gasket and to show the 3800 gasket that works on the other side of fiero line.


Hose on my Fiero with working AC


note the belt is off. I'm making a dog bone bracket and need mine for the template.

I have used 85-88 v6 Lines and 87 coupe Line.

edited to comment on the belt being off.

[This message has been edited by PCTECH (edited 06-03-2006).]

Edit

quote Originally posted by PCTECH: Here is the Picture of the Gasket that works. Here is the Fiero Line and the 3800 Line Side View Line with Gasket and to show the 3800 gasket that works on the other side of fiero line. Hose on my Fiero with working AC note the belt is off. I'm making a dog bone bracket and need mine for the template. I have used 85-88 v6 Lines and 87 coupe Line. edited to comment on the belt being off.

PC, I sent you a PM. Can you take paypal?

The sole reason for not having AC for the past several years was because I did not have the hose and did not want to pay to have one custom made. If this works as well as I hope, then I've been sweating for nothing.

Pm sent about washers--Have been without AC myself because of no sliced lines, this is a great soulution.

Replied to all PM's.

Okay, my hose and adapters came in and it looks like it will work. Now I need to know if anyone knows the size of the bolt for the manifold on the car end to secure the compressor hose to the car. Mine is missing.

Anyone? I plan on getting it all together Friday night.

quote Originally posted by topcat: Okay, my hose and adapters came in and it looks like it will work. Now I need to know if anyone knows the size of the bolt for the manifold on the car end to secure the compressor hose to the car. Mine is missing. Anyone? I plan on getting it all together Friday night.

I really dont have a clue, mine came with the bolt in it still and never paid much attnetion to it. I just sent the money off to PCtech for 2 of the washers and hope to have them in hand by next week. Let me know how it works out for you and if there are any tricks to it. Hope to have AC in the car by the end of next week.

quote Originally posted by PCTECH: You can use the stock fiero Hose. You will need a retro kit, it's a large black plastic washer to adapt one side of the 3800 new style compressor. Comes with the R134 kit from the Fiero Store.

PM sent about this setup and what I need to buy from you. Let me know.

Thanks man,
Amir

------------------

1 of 2: Factory Maroon/Gray 87 GT 5 spd: 2.8L (Best 1/4 mile: 15.57@87mph, 2.0 60ft)
2 of 2: Ferrari Red 88 Formula/4T65EHD: 97 GTP Motor (Best 1/4 mile: 12.75@106mph, 1.77 60ft)

My CarDomain Site
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PM'd everyone back.


More information for you guys

Make sure you get the 2 silver gaskets for the compressor from your 3800 any model.

I can't remember if I used the silver gasket on the Washer side. Make sure you test fit your hose before you put a can of R134 in the system. You may be able to see a gap on the connection to the compressor if it's not right. I would recommend pulling a Vacum before filling the system. You can buy a cheap vac from harborfreight.com they have them for 10.00/16.00

Any Questions let me know I'm willing to help out...

Odd because I cannot get my AC line (87V6) to fit, the AC muffler hits the exaust manifold. Is there a better set of lines to work with?

Nice info there, PCTECH. Thanks.

This is great info, can we do a build thread end to end for 3800 A/C hookup. I think it's a common swap and many aren't running A/C because of lack of information. I think photos would help.
If we can detail the needed gaskets, washers, spacers, wiring and charge process, we'd have a valueable document for the forum. PCTECH, PM if you have any spacers left or the info on where I can get them. I'll take pics of my process, but I imagine it will be a few weeks before I get it done.

quote Originally posted by 86GT3.4DOHC: Odd because I cannot get my AC line (87V6) to fit, the AC muffler hits the exaust manifold. Is there a better set of lines to work with?

Try the 87 coupe line. if not you may have to bend the lines a little, but don't over do it. I do have WCF headers. I would guess that the stock exhaust manifolds should be smaller. My hose doesn't hit but is very close.

[This message has been edited by PCTECH (edited 06-08-2006).]

quote Originally posted by ApexNC: This is great info, can we do a build thread end to end for 3800 A/C hookup. I think it's a common swap and many aren't running A/C because of lack of information. I think photos would help. If we can detail the needed gaskets, washers, spacers, wiring and charge process, we'd have a valueable document for the forum. PCTECH, PM if you have any spacers left or the info on where I can get them. I'll take pics of my process, but I imagine it will be a few weeks before I get it done.

I wil take plenty of pics when I do mine this weekend, and start a thread on "how to" It should be pretty straight forward. I will include flushing the system out as well.

I ordered the flush kit from the fiero store, and it had all the seals, gaskets and o rings that you wil ever need. The drier and orifice tube were available locally at a very reasonable price.

More to follow on Saturday.

quote Originally posted by topcat: I wil take plenty of pics when I do mine this weekend, and start a thread on "how to" It should be pretty straight forward. I will include flushing the system out as well. I ordered the flush kit from the fiero store, and it had all the seals, gaskets and o rings that you wil ever need. The drier and orifice tube were available locally at a very reasonable price. More to follow on Saturday.

Did it have the 3800 compressor gaskets and that washer in the kit?

Yes it did have all the washers, and gaskets in the kit. I even found the same kit at one of hte local parts stores for 20 bucks cheaper than what it is at the Fiero Store, but they were out of stock, and could not get it in before this weekend.

I have not gone under the car to install the hose to th e comressor yet... I really hope I have clearance and not hit the exhaust manifold. I will post picture on Saturday

quote Originally posted by topcat: Yes it did have all the washers, and gaskets in the kit. I even found the same kit at one of hte local parts stores for 20 bucks cheaper than what it is at the Fiero Store, but they were out of stock, and could not get it in before this weekend. I have not gone under the car to install the hose to th e comressor yet... I really hope I have clearance and not hit the exhaust manifold. I will post picture on Saturday

Can you post the part # and the brand so others can buy it.

I just walked in from work and on the way bock out, but the brand is Four Seasons, and the part number is 26240.

The kit has Ester Oil, R-134 fittings, and all the seals o rings and adapters you could imagine.

I will post pics later tonight.

This is all really great information, even with the muffler contacting the dipstick tube and touching the exhaust manifold. I did it all tonight with seals and a slight bend of the line. Did it all up. Vacummed the system down, held perfectly. Slammed'r full of freon and guess what. IT DOES NOT WORK!!!!! THE LINES ARE CROSSED FOR 3800 COMPRESSOR. High side is low and low is high. SO if this actually works for some one than they have a different compessor than our stock 1998 GTP 3800 one. ANY WAYS that is my rant. I need to rotate the fiero line 180 deg and have the muffler on the far port from the block. Ours is a V6 GT with 98 3800 s/c

I have made 3 custom lines in the past for customers and after reading this thread I could not believe it was as simple as this thread said. Turns out for me it is not this simple.

On the bright side of things I now have a radiator pre cooler because the condenser in front of the rad gets cold like the evaporator should have


Pete

------------------

quote Originally posted by PBJ: This is all really great information, even with the muffler contacting the dipstick tube and touching the exhaust manifold. I did it all tonight with seals and a slight bend of the line. Did it all up. Vacummed the system down, held perfectly. Slammed'r full of freon and guess what. IT DOES NOT WORK!!!!! THE LINES ARE CROSSED FOR 3800 COMPRESSOR. High side is low and low is high. SO if this actually works for some one than they have a different compessor than our stock 1998 GTP 3800 one. ANY WAYS that is my rant. I need to rotate the fiero line 180 deg and have the muffler on the far port from the block. Ours is a V6 GT with 98 3800 s/c I have made 3 custom lines in the past for customers and after reading this thread I could not believe it was as simple as this thread said. Turns out for me it is not this simple. On the bright side of things I now have a radiator pre cooler because the condenser in front of the rad gets cold like the evaporator should have Pete

Well this kind of worries me now. So is this setup just kind of year sensitive or what? I have a 97 GTP motor with a 97 Compressor obviously. Any other insight on this matter? topcat what year motor is your car? I would just like my AC to work easily as possible, but this is turning into a big hassle. I could have had some custom AC lines made by now. Anyone else using the setup with the Stock Fiero lines? I would like to know.

Hmmm, good feedback PBJ. Rare87 my engine is from a 98 GTP. PBJ, you say the hoses are 180* out? Can your be turned around to teh right orientation so it works right easily? The muffler is on the high side for the hoses, correct? Does the compressor have the high side marked anywhere? Are the 3800 hoses similar to the Fiero hoses in that the high side hose is a smaller diameter than the low side?

I have not been under my car since my parts came in. It is going on stands tonight when I get off work, then I might have a better idea... but if anyone has answers to my questions, please chime in.

Cheers!

PBJ is right... the hoses are wrong. I was wrong, just didn't know it. Sorry GUY's I messed up. I looked at the compressors last night. I had a leaking 87 coupe compressor I was using before switching to the new style compressor and haven't tested it yet. The 87 coupe compressor works but not sure if the seals can handle it.

Okay, it looks like I am back at the drawing board. My options at this point are:

- Find someone to make custom lines for me

- Swap out my SC3800 compressor to a Fiero compressor...

So the question at this point is which Fiero compressor wil bolt right to the existing mounts, and will the serpintine belt on the SC3800 fit without any problems. If I recall the Fiero serpintine belt is a 5 rib affair. The SC3800 is a 6 rib belt. IF I have to change out the pulley, how involved is that?

PBJ, you mentioned that you made hoses for customers in the past. Can you do this as a sideline, or do you do it with your swaps only?

I need to get the air in the car working. Driving in the hot humid South Carolina summer without air is torture.

He

quote Originally posted by topcat: Okay, it looks like I am back at the drawing board. My options at this point are: - Find someone to make custom lines for me - Swap out my SC3800 compressor to a Fiero compressor... So the question at this point is which Fiero compressor wil bolt right to the existing mounts, and will the serpintine belt on the SC3800 fit without any problems. If I recall the Fiero serpintine belt is a 5 rib affair. The SC3800 is a 6 rib belt. IF I have to change out the pulley, how involved is that? PBJ, you mentioned that you made hoses for customers in the past. Can you do this as a sideline, or do you do it with your swaps only? I need to get the air in the car working. Driving in the hot humid South Carolina summer without air is torture.

I'm going to a Junkyard after work to find a Compressor that works with the 3800. The 87 Coupe is a 6 rib belt and it bolts up fine. I'm going to go though the shelfs at my friends junkyard to find a working compressor. I'm not going to have a hose made. Picture from rockauto
http://198.208.187.182/internet/PartImage.jsp?mfgname=ACDELCO&prodlinecd=15&acpa rtnbr=15-20119

Here is Darth's post about the 3800 S1 compressor and old sytle hose with retro kit. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20050119-2-053505.html
From Darth's post...

As promised, here are the part numbers you need for the A/C system:
A/C compressor: 1136512 (fits 95-99 Olds Aurora, possibly others)
Sealing washer retro kit: 2724887 (the red washer in the kit is the correct thickness for the discharge port)

You will also need a thin sealing washer for the suction port that is not included in that kit. I got mine from NAPA p/n: 207275

The A/C compressor bracket I used is p/n 24500403 but it appears it has been discontinued from GM. I believe this bracket fits either W-body or H-body 88-92? applications using the 3800 Series 1 engine.

[This message has been edited by PCTECH (edited 06-09-2006).]

Man what a rollercoster ride this was !!!

Ya'll are lucky, though I have two compressors and hoses for the fiero, but removed all wires for it and my alt is in that spot.

so for ME to even get a/c I will have to drop the craddle, re-wire, re-design the belt route, brackets, basicly redo the whole thing!!! NO WAY !

but for the NEXT one........

more pics! compare the two compressors in a pic!! same with the hoses....

I just had a thought... can the SC3800 compressor be clocked so that the high pressure port is turned 180* out? I looked at Darth's thread and that is where I got the idea. He is using an Aurora compressor on the series one engine.

If the SC3800 can not be clocked, then can the Aurora compresssor be used as a sub for the SC3800 compressor. I can pick up a rebuilt compressor for an Aurora cheaper than a rebuilt Fiero one. And I'd rather go with a newer compressor anyway.

PC, when you go to your Friend's yard, perhaps you can take a look....

Anyone?

The 3.8SC compressor only has 3 mounting legs, so no you cant clock it and still have all 3 bolts.

I do know some people in a local hyrdaulics shop that can do AC crimp fittings. If I can find the lines that came on my engine (at least I think lines came on my engine) then will take them and a set of Fiero lines in tomorrow morning and see what they charge. If this worked you could all ship me your lines, I could get them swapped for you and ship them back.

Would the Fiero V6 lines work if I just had them swap the high and low side hoses? I mean clearance wise and everything? (im not anywhere near my parts)

[This message has been edited by 86GT3.4DOHC (edited 06-09-2006).]

With some bending of the lines I was able to rotated the line at the compressor end 180 deg CCW and re bolt it up. I will be filling it later on today. Stay tuned.

Pete

quote Originally posted by PBJ: With some bending of the lines I was able to rotated the line at the compressor end 180 deg CCW and re bolt it up. I will be filling it later on today. Stay tuned. Pete

I am going to take a look at mine this evening to see if I can bend them enough without damaging them. Can you post a pic of how you bent them... perhaps one of the lines connected to the compressor?