I have to preface this by saying that I don't normally bother with AC. I lived in upstate NY for most my life and by the time the heat started to get annoying, it was already time to drain the garden hose, tune up the snow blower, and buy snow tires.

But then I took a job that had me running around So Cal deserts..

I had a technically functioning AC system in my 82' 300SD, but it was a lackluster R12 "substitute" refrigerant and ancient R4 compressor which quickly puked. Also, the radiator (possibly original) couldn't keep the car under 100 C over 65 mph when the outside temps hit 100+ F.

I needed serious cooling, for me and the motor.

The motor was easy - I found a 3 core replacement radiator, new hoses, new thermostat. Nothing exceptional there.

The AC was another story. I got the idea for a parallel flow condenser off this board, and ordered the 14x22.5 PFC. When I got it, I measured it against my OEM serpentine flow unit and figured that even if the PFC is 50% better heat transfer, it's at best only marginally better than stock. Plus, I saw plenty of room for more area.

So I bought this guy - 16.9 x 27.5, from acsource. Size for size, it has slightly more fin area than the OEM. So I'm doing better than stock even before taking into account the improved effectiveness of the PFC.


http://picasaweb.google.com/mechromancer/BenzAirConditioning#5258923473109601074
I made brackets to mount the new condenser in the same location as previous. I just cut the old tabs off the serpentine condenser, welded them to some steel tube, and riveted them to the PFC.


http://picasaweb.google.com/mechromancer/BenzAirConditioning#5258923479448606050

http://picasaweb.google.com/mechromancer/BenzAirConditioning#5258923497970474930

I had to notch the radiator support to clear the outputs from the PFC. I reinforced the notch with a piece of 3/16" plate, so I don't think I lost any strength there.


http://picasaweb.google.com/mechromancer/BenzAirConditioning#5258930717302060194

http://picasaweb.google.com/mechromancer/BenzAirConditioning#5258930711140996034

I added a new AC Delco compressor, expansion valve, and had a new hose manifold made to replace the old one. Also had a new liquid line to the new (stock) drier. The shop that made the lines for me also leak checked and charged the system with 3 lbs of good old R12.

Vent temps at idle are about 52 deg, but if I rev to 1500 rpm you can feel it get much colder. I need to get a thermometer on there, then I'll update this post. When I get in the hot car to go to lunch, it takes about 2 minutes before my coworkers start complaining that it's too cold.

I usually turn down the AC a few minutes after that..

__________________
'82 300SD 351k

A W126 has more room than a W123. Too bad for us W123 owners......

__________________
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

Nice work.

And you can replace the aux fan with a dual slim line and really get some airflow over fins. Take a pic with some frost on your sunglass frames!

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

Part number?