Wish I had gone that route!!!

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Jimmy - you were the major reason I had tears of joy when I saw it was the old style.

Good plan, Thanks!
I usually order parts from a distributor but this is an exception I think, unless I can verify precisely what they will ship over the fone. The there's the shipping to add on, yes over the counter sounds like the way to go on this.
When I search using the p/n I get 1021300615 Apco rebuilt $180 - even more that what you paid! Although they charge no shipping on orders over $50, its still better to go local and save$$ besides if you have to return it its just a short drive, no UPS to hassle with.

DDH

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

I checked today and the AdvAuto P/N I bought has gone up to $138, but it's still in stock. We must be in peak season.

It has a 1 year warranty, and it just seems to me that in the event of return, local is less hassle on a part like this.

Good luck,
Bob

how much of a difference is it with the Parallel Flow Condensers?

Do you want to make some money by selling them wih the hoses custom bent?

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

I don't know. I've never experienced working AC in a W123 with a tube and fin condenser.

You may want to try one before you spend much money on modifications. The stock system (R-12) works pretty well when everything is correct.

]
Good info.
I may have to remove the Freeze12 and remove my radiator, clean around there and the fins of both, and then put back together with R12.

Oddly enough, after the Texas GTG, everything on the car seems better, smoother and the AC seems cooler too...go figure.

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

There was enough anecdotal evidence indicating that where I live I was best served by
doing everything reasonable to enhance performance. Things might have been different
if I lived in CO, IL or PA.

At this moment, I feel I got a fair exchange of value for the money spent on mods.

Another Texan here, I need all the help I can get!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

How do you know if you've never tried the stock system? Mine works well in 100+ F conditions. I've been in TX more than a few times.

There is nothing wrong with doing modifications to improve the system, as long as you know what you are gaining. I'm sure the condenser can't hurt performance, but it would be interesting to hear some "before and after" data compared to the stock system. FWIW, my shop thinks the W123 evaporator is more limiting than the condenser anyway.

You're right. The choice in my mind was to keep the stock condenser and run the risk of being
disappointed (as others have been) vs. spend a little on the upgrade and know that I've done
everything I can.

If the upgrade had been $300-$400 I probably would have stayed stock. For $130 and a fantastic
learning experience, it was worth it. Also, if R-12 suddenly becomes unavailable I can go to something
else with no other mods needed.

FWIW, JC Whitney shows the Frigette 203-355 at $85.99 online.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Good point, it's hard to go wrong for $130.

I've installed a parallel flow condenser on my SD last summer, and am still pleased with the results one year later. It's running on R134a, the car is big, black, and is in Central Texas, but it's comfortable to drive. I bought the condenser and some other misc AC items from ackits.com, and bought hoses/fittings locally at Austin Rebuilders ((512) 448-0884); the latter have done crimping too. I liked both places and would do business with them again (especially if local guys open a shop in North Austin as they were considering). Pics attached (you're welcome to stop by for a closer look if curious Randy).

I decided to replace other AC things while at it. Buying a new R-4 compressor was a mistake. It came with stepped ports, and that was a major PITA. For some reason I couldn't get anything close to a good seal with various combinations of green and red metal/rubber rings that came with the compressor, and a separately purchased yellow ring only helped a little. I ended up concocting a bad-looking combo of metal rings and regular green o-rings, which to my surprise is still holding up.

If I had to do this again, I'd probably try to be less greedy and find a sligtly smaller condenser, so that it's easier to fit, and find a rebuilt compressor without stepped ports. Otherwise, installing a parallel flow condenser was a Good Idea. I'll probably look next at upgrading aux fans if I feel like I need colder air.

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