I'm going with an aftermarket P-flow condenser and maybe 2 fans.

Original condenser: 23"X16" 360 sq. in
New: 20"X14" 280 sq. in

Original fan : 12" 113 sq. in
New: 9 126 sq. in

That's a big difference on the condenser size, maybe a 22" X 14" condenser?

Any thoughts? Is the P-flow that much more efficient?

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

You are going to so much effort on everything else...
why would you not stick the biggest condensor you can shoehorn into that area in there ?
Why would you be counting on it being that much more efficient to take up the slack...
Are you moving to MinySota soon ?

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Because I want to go with a condenser that already has the drier mounted and order from a company that I already have an account with...

I'm staying in Ga. for now...

Looks like a 16" X 20" would fit. 330 sq in , vs 368 sq in.

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

I agree you should get the biggest condenser you can put in there. Don't get caught up on having the dryer/condenser combo because your loosing efficiency with the decrease in size.



.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Not a good reason in my book.....
Not ' FAB ' as you claimed to be lately.....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

16 x 20 looks like the best fit. Gotta have room on the end for the hoses/fittings.

I still haven't even started on the compressor mounting. It'll be in Thursday and I gotta be out of town thursday and friday...

Ordered the condenser.

I wanna start crawling OUT of this rabbit hole...

I transcend FAB...

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

Is A Mercedes Roof Rack with the Condenser mounted up there
36" X 48".
(Have to have Extra long hoses, though.)

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

I already have my solar WVO heater up there...

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

You can fit two 12" fans in there. Thats what i have. Came from a 124. You will need to remove the brackets.

__________________
'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

If you're still R12 stick with the tube & fin.
This, according to my local AC shop.
I just replaced mine with a tube & fin this spring.
It was 100 here today and I was getting 45 at the vent.
I'm running R12.

Jeff

__________________
1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

I'm thinking about going back with 134a. It was working well before at low 40's taken at the center vent before my compressor clutch went out. Hopefully a modern compressor (Sanden 709) and a P-flow condenser(16 x 20) should at least make it as cool as it was before.

It could also flop... Which would really suck...

The compressor has a label on it that says the oil is compatible with R12 and 134a. It has R12 valves on the back of the compressor head and I'll have 134a valves on the rigid tubes that fasten to the compressor so I guess I can charge with either.

I'll check out the label and see what kind of oil it is.

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

I bought a can of R134a last week... it was $18......
so there isn't much advantage cost wise....
with everything upgraded it should cool fine...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

does the replacement have more effective volume, even with less area?

Id imagine that the most important thing would be to have maximum refrigerant volume to maximze working fluid total heat capacity.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

That's a good question and something I've been wondering about. There is a lot of about 3/8" tubing in our old condensers but the P-flows look like they have header tanks on the sides plus a lot more (apparently smaller in volume) tubes.

I couldn't find anything on volume.

It'll be interesting comparing them side by side.

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

OK, if this system works when you are done, you have to do a real complete write up on it. Seriously, because I'm right behind you if it does!

__________________
'82 300SD - Somewhere over 220k - Becoming reliable...