AC Manifold Hoses Siezed

[jtwoods4]

Hey guys, I recently purchased a beautiful 1985 300SD. I bought the car and Ohio so I did a very thorough inspection checking for any rust or corrosion. The car has been garage kept its whole life and is absolutely immaculate with only a 140,000 miles. I didn't noticed a little corrosion around some of the fittings under the hood and bolt heads in various places but the body and frame and entire car checked out and was in great condition.

The AC of courses didn't work so, which I knew before purchasing. Immediately after getting the car I took it over to my trusted mechanics shop to have the AC compressor, drier, and manifold hoses replaced. Norrmally I wouldn't replace the manifold hoses but the fittings and mounting bracket show some ugly corrosion so I decided I wanted to go ahead and replace it.

Well the mechanics called me today and said the AC system is all tested and in full 100% working condition. I put the system under vacuum over the weekend and it held the vacuum all weekend long so we're all good there.

However they were not able to replace the manifold hoses because the fittings were corroded in place. Despite soaking the fittings with penetrating oil they were unable to disconnect the hose from the firewall or the condenser.

So we just decided to keep the existing manifold hoses who knows maybe they could last another 20 years the system holds vacuum great and the AC works now.

They said they could cut the lines but then the condenser and the expansion valve under the dash would need to be replaced and this would be expensive. So we left the original AC manifold hoses is in place.

Anybody have any ideas for how to remove these siezed manifold lines?