'91 350 SDL... black exterior... previously converted to R134a. Evaporator and compressor were renewed approx. 2 years ago. Now requires additional A/C work; looking to return to R-12, with an eye on maximizing cooling capability.

Any manufacturer currently offer a parallel flow condenser that is specific for the W126 chassis and would not require fabrication of new hoses and mounts ?

OR... anyone know of a shop capable of producing a PF knock-off of the existing condenser?

The dual auxiliary fans present on this vehicle are mounted to the condenser, which complicates the use of a generic PF condenser.

It's really not a big deal to go to a PF. Any a/c shop can knock out the hoses quickly and finding a way to mount the fans is really no big deal either.

That said, R12 seems to be taking a pretty steep drop in price. I have reverse converted a couple of systems with great results. You need to thoroughly flush, replace the filter-drier and recharge, but it will give you good results and cold air.

Good luck,

I went through this process last week, but on a 124 chassis. After some debate, I decided to skip the parallel flow conversion. The sole reason was laziness on my part - I didn't want to deal with the extra work to mount the condenser and have hoses fabricated. In the end, the cost probably would have been about the same. The PF condenser is about a hundred bucks less expensive than the OEM replacement. That should be plenty to cover the custom hose fabrication. But you're looking at a couple of hours to fabricate mounts for the condenser and fans, take the whole setup to have hoses fabricated, etc.

If your car has dual electric fans on the condenser, I don't think there would be much benefit to converting. Those fans move a lot of air; even the OEM serpentine condenser works OK with that kind of airflow.

Unless you live somewhere crazy hot, reverse converting to R-12 and using the OEM condenser should give adequate performance. If it's not cool enough, consider tinting the windows darker

- JimY

I think that there only two situations in which a stock a/c in this car with a proper charge of R12 would not be adequate. The first would be if you live at the equator and the second would be if my wife had to drive it.

A few pounds of R12 and a filter drier would be MUCH less expensive than revamping the condensor.

Good luck,

Here's the problem... the car is black and in Florida. Both auxiliary fans are bad. The condenser is leaking... and the vehicle was "converted" to R-134a without the owner's knowledge.

M-B dealer installed a new evaporator, compressor and suction manifold as goodwill (due to compressor seizure from lack of oil) but the service statement makes no mention of the type of refrigerant and oil used. Firestone saw the vehicle a year ago for a leak check and the bill only lists dye and R-134a. Yet someone slapped on an R-12 to R-134a Schrader valve conversion kit. No conversion sticker was placed on the car. The type of refrigerant oil presently installed is unknown.

Anyway, the owner wants maximum cooling capability, which mandates the use of R-12. A factory condenser is close to $500 but cost is not really an issue. The desire for COLD air is. In theory, a PF condenser sounds like the way to go... but no hard data exists for this model.

Since the condenser has to be replaced anyway, what's the recommendation? Is a PF condenser worth the installation trouble?

Since the condensor must be replaced anyway, it MIGHT be worth the added trouble to use a PF. I would suggest contacting ackits.com.

The system must be COMPLETELY flushed, new r/d, mineral oil, thorough evacuation and R12.

Good luck,

I have a brand new, in box pf for a 126 that I purchased for my SD. Then it got totaled, so if you are interested, I'll sell it for 65% of it's new value, plus shipping.

Pls advise

__________________
Enough about me, how are you doing?

Converting to a parallel flow sounds like more of a win in this situation. The OEM condenser for my 124 was only $175, vs. about $85 for the PF condenser.

For the 126 it sounds like you can save about $400 on the condenser by going with PF, so that would be a substantial savings. Even with the added cost of custom hoses you would be way ahead.

It's not gonna cool OK without those condenser fans. At anything below 30MPH those supply the airflow necessary to carry the heat away. No airflow over the condenser, no cooling inside the car.

- JimY

The condensor fans are not so much for cooling, they are there for a/c system protection. When the high side pressure gets excessive, the fans come on to bring down the high side pressure. This prevents excessive high side pressure from damaging something.

Good luck,