MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - MGB/GT/A/C

I just installed A/C in my '73 GT and, fully charged, it works like a demon. I pulled the thermometer out of the duct when the temp dropped to 38 degrees. So far, so good. The problem is that while I'm using all modern components under the bonnet (new condenser, Sanden 508 compressor, etc, all new hoses and drier of course), I'm using an old aftermarked evaporator designed for dealer-installation on '72-76 MGBs. I cannot get the flare fitting on the high pressure side (from the compressor) to stop leaking.

I've asked around a bit and know there's no converting this evaporator to "O" ring fittings, so I'm in search of a nice compact modern evaporator that will fit in the same space.

Any suggestions!

Many thanks,
Allen
Allen Bachelder

I mean "Any suggestions?"
Allen

Allen -

Congratulations first of all. Are pictures of your installation available (as I hope to tackle that project in the next month)?

As for an evaporator doesn't Vintage Air or the Classic Auto Air have soemthing that would work?

Greg
Greg Smela

Greg, I have photos of an AC installation if you want them. Send an email address if interested and I'll pass them along.
Steve Simmons

Yea, two ideas
1)
call http://www.oldairproducts.com/shop/index.php
They helped me with pumbing problems

2) Buy the correct fitting on another modern evaporator designed for anything, take it to an Alumium welder and cut off the end, weld it on the older evaporator. (or build a short length adaptor in the same way.
F Murch

Allen-
Loctite on the flare sealing surfaces?
FRM
FR Millmore

Allen,

What type of bracket did you use for the Sanden compressor?

Thanks,

Cliff
Cliff Maddox

Or you can make a nice thin copper or aluminum washer, well annealed. I used to seal off defective truck brake chambers by putting an annealed penny in the line fitting in emergency situations. The fitting would form it nicely to the flare.
FRM
FR Millmore

steve

i would like some pictures sent to me.i have a 74 rb that i would like to put ac in,i live in phx az it gets a little warm here sometimes.my email is jcadams2@cox.net
thanks
jim
ja adams

Allen, bring your car to a company that makes hydraulic hoses for equipment like Bobcat, Cat, or others. They can make the connection for you, good for over 1000psi.

The other option is to make your own 45 degree flare as would be done on a copper gas line. The correct parts should be vailable at your local hardware store. When done, you can paint the fittings silver to "blend in."
Jeff Schlemmer

If anyone could put the above mentioned photo's on-line it would be a big help to a lot of people including myself. I am getting tired of putting my car away every summer.... Where would someone with NO air-conditioning experience start with learning about what is needed to do this project???????
Bob R.

Hey you guys,

I turn my back for just a moment and I get flooded with great advice in practically no time. A lot of your advice agrees with what I learned from Antique Air yesterday. I bought my other components from them and found a nice compact evaporator in their catalog. I called them to order it and the guy asked me to explain the problem. He said before I go spending $289 for a new evaporator, I should spend $2 for that copper gasket several of you mentioned. Well I had one, but the local hydraulic hose maker had never seen one before and said I didn't need it so I hadn't used it. I emptied the system last night and installed the copper "gasket" - rather a dish-shaped washer. I'm about to go get it recharged and see how it goes. ' Will write back as soon as I know something more.

BTW, the guy at Antique Air told me that if the washer doesn't work, I need only to send him the old evaporator which he will recondition as necessary and install the new "O" ring fittings for a total of $55 - which is a lot less than the $289 I wanted to give him. Anytime a business advises me against buying one of their products in favor of cheaper solution, my ears perk up. ' Think I picked some good folks to deal with.

Note to Cliff. I bought my Sanden brackets from Antique Air about two years ago (another story for another time). At that time, they told me this was their last bracket set and they didn't intend to make any more for the MGB. Therefore, they gave me permission to copy them. I did trace all the pieces on paper before I installed them. So if anybody wants brackets and they cannot find them elsewhere, I can either share the drawings by snail-mail or look into having a local shop put them in autocad and make up as many sets as are requested. I've done similar things before and the transfer to autocad is expensive. If I knew I could sell about 10 or more sets, I could distribute the cost to make it reasonable. Anybody out there do autocad?

I've seen the original MG dealer instructions (thanks Greg) and my brackets look pretty much like those in the original dealer-offered A/C systems.

I'm off to get a charge.

Allen
Allen Bachelder

Forgot to add, although they've been offered by others, I'll be happy to take some pictures of my installation. I don't have a website to which to post them, but I will then be able to e-mail them to those who are interested. I will be gone July 10-17.

Allen
Allen

Allen -

Are your brackets the same as the ones I've got posted here?

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeeikti/miscmgb/

Also, I'd appreciate copies of your installation photos and would be happy to post them on that web page if you like.

Greg
Greg Smela

To everybody, with thanks,

' Just got back from recharging my A/C. Offhand, it looks like the washer/gasket/thing solved the problem!

Greg,
You show two of the pieces in my kit. There are more. Offhand, I think there are two of the smaller piece shown at the top of your picture. I'll try to get pictures to you directly before I leave for Michigan. Depending on the year MGB, MGA or Magnette you're installing the A/C on, either the large lower bracket shown, or your right side engine mount (or both) will have to be altered a bit. I've never tried these brackets on a rubber-bumpered car with the later style engine mounts, but to make it fit the Magnette, I had to cut and upside-down "V" in the bottom of the bracket. Working with that bracket, I had to trim some more metal out of the passenger-side engine mount. This becomes apparent when you mate the pieces up to the engine. I don't see how any of this cutting could possibly have threatened the integrity of either the bracket or the engine mount.
Allen

steve
thank you for the pictures.i had a problem with my email so all my mail got lost.would you be able to send them to me again? thank you in advance
jim
jcadams2@cox.net
ja adams

FYI,
www.scsfrigette.com makes a one piece unit that fits perfectly under the passenger side of the dash. The only mod would be to swing the wiper motor up on top of the dash brace bar (drill two holes first) which is easily done. If you have a glove box you would lose that. I have a unit in my GT and roadster which makes a nice 3-speed fan, but have been waiting years for someone who has a good bracket set drawing so I can install compressors. I have a new Sankyo compressor I bought years ago which I drained out the old oil and put PAG oil in to use with the new 34 refrigerant.
Sam

Jim, email sent.
Steve Simmons

Steve: If not to much trouble could you also send the photos to me, Thanks
mgbob70@yahoo.com
Bob R.

Sam (and others)- I've got someone working on the other (smaller) brackets in AutoCad 2004 format. As soon as they're done I'll post them.

Greg
Greg Smela

Thanks Greg!
Samuel Sullivan

This would be a great tech article for this site. I have a 67 GT and would look at installing AC if I had some good information on parts, and installation.
Bruce Cunha

Geez, wouldn't it be great if Moss or some other company put together a complete DIY kit.

I installed an R134 unit into my VW bug over a w/e about 4 years ago. It cost $1000 but the kit was complete w/ all necessary components. Its still working today w/o any mishaps.

Luigi

P.S. Hey Craig at Moss, you guys listening? Looks like theres a need. Particularly in the Southern states. It was 93 out yesterday afternoon.
Luigi

Moss Europe is marketing such a complete kit, but if memory serves, it sells for about £1200 - well over $2000 US! No doubt Moss US will be offering this shortly - unless they've presumed US buyers will stay away in droves at this price.

I was about to buy a new evaporator from Antique Air in Tampa Florida, but their representative talked me out of it in favor of trying the washer/gasket first - which I did and it solved 98% of the problem. They will rebuild my old evaporator, converting it to "O" ring fittings for $55. They have an evaporator unit (designed for '60s Ford Mustangs) that is only about 13" wide and 5" high - that looks like it would work under the dash on the passenger side as well as, or better than, the old aftermarket units designed for the B. They also have a 20X12" condenser that is working well for me. Their Sanden 508 compressor is great (some have told me it's the same as the Sankyo; is that right?).

That leaves us with the brackets. I have pencil tracings of all my brackets, but if Greg or somebody else already has them in autocad, I'll happily put my name on a list to acquire two more sets - possibly more. I know of a shop in Roanoke that will manufacture these on autocad, but I'm on a Mac OS here, so I don't know if I can even transmit autocad files without corrupting them. If folks are interested, I can set it up and somebody else can e-mail the autocad files directly to them.

Allen
Allen Bachelder

This thread was discussed between 01/07/2005 and 07/07/2005

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.