On the some of the domestic cars designed for R134 , the orifice tube (expansion valve) has been moved closer to the condenser than to the evaporator. The line from the orifice tube is not insulated and is exposed to engine heat, sometimes only inches from exhaust manifold. Does anyone have any theories of why they did this? Could this help when doing a conversion to R134? The only thing I can think of is it gives more expansion room for the R134, thus maybe it gets colder.
Any ideas anyone?

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

I don't think this is anything new. My 1985 Suburban has an R12 system. It has an orifice tube located in the engine bay about 8 inches from the exhaust manifold.

TimK

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EPA 609 & 608 HVAC Certified
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83' 300D Turbo - 300K + Miles
00' 1.9L TDI Beetle
85' 6.5L Turbo, GV-OD, GMC Suburban,
67' 2.5L Diesel NA - Land Rover Series IIA

Here's what you do if it's so cold your diesel fuel gels. Smear some on some toast and stay inside until it warms up outside.

I was told it was to minimize the noise from the expanding gas in the cabin on my 94 3/4 ton pu.
I moved it back to its prior location closer to the evaporator. Worked fine there.