Traveller Smurf (Cubey's '89 van)

[Cubey]

You got the important part. You should be able to replace the hoses with standard vacuum line that you can buy in bulk and most parts stores.

yeah that was my thought at the junkyard, didn't occur to me i should have just grabbed them too because they're not exact higher dollar parts. but oh well. I'll probably hang onto it until a time i need money, then throw it on eBay

i don't think there's anything else useful to me on the truck.

I did consider grabbing the vacuum pump, since it felt like it might be good, but the big diagram housing on the side was very rusted looking. I already have a spare pump, bracket, and pulley assembly... and run a lifetime warranty pump with O'Reilly. Figured I'd leave it for someone else who might need it more.

I don't have a 1g alternator on this (3g modded), so the already unhooked alternator wouldn't have done me much good.

I did eyeball to see if it had a Saginaw pump for some reason, but it didn't. Otherwise I'd have grabbed the bracket for that.

Oh, the radiator was also tempting. I didn't check under the cap but it looked ok from what little I looked at it.

People already got the grill, front bumper, speedometer cluster, and both doors. Nothing useful to me but I guess high demand parts.

 

[Cubey]

Well.. I found (and downloaded) this odd old web page that lists 80s-90s Ford Econoline AC lines with the more modern Motorcraft YF part numbers, along with typical factory part numbers.

HA_Ford Trucks

They have a bunch of categories, including other Ford trucks: https://www.polarbearinc.com/pbpc/homepage/products_HA.html

But it does have a mistake for at least one entry. It lists a 92+ hose as fitting 88-91 and I almost bought one for a lot of money. Thankfully I figured it out before hand.

With the help of that page, I found a very hard to find line that will allow me to delete rear ac for only $40 on eBay from a seller in Texas that only lists the YF part number, no years or factory number.

I know this diagram is for a gasser but it's close enough for illustrative purposes. Its 95% accurate to how an IDI van with an FS6 compressor looks. I had to add (4) marker hence the circle being wonky

You must be registered for see images attach

#1. This should be the exact part for IDI fitment.

You must be registered for see images attach

#2. Also exact IDI fitment. The only line RockAuto and others still sells for 88-91 vans, but it was half the price of RockAuto, and it's genuine NOS Motorcraft instead of questionable aftermarket. This deletes a connection to the aux (rear) ac evaporator core.

You must be registered for see images attach

#3. This is the hard to find line that crosses over. It seems to be a catch-all part for all Econolines without aux AC. This deletes the other aux evaporator core connection from the system. This was the big problem I was having with trying to restore at least front ac, because the aux version of this has an extra hose coming of it at a tee junction, for going to the aux core.

You must be registered for see images attach

#4. Hohum. This is impossible to find in the proper part number. This is an older, earlier 80s part for 5.0/5.8 vans... but it's for an FS6 compressor and uses the same exact connection point for the condenser... so maybe it'll fit an IDI? It was one of the two cheapest lines (#2 being $34) but this also has free (seller paid) return shipping. If I find it's too drastically longer or something when I hold it up in the engine bay and try to judge fitment, it can go back. But, the proper one seems entirely impossible to find, because it's only for 88-91 E250/350 IDIs, nothing else. So this seems to be as good as I'm going to find, most likely. (And I have no idea why they said General Motors when it's very clearly Ford/Motorcraft)

You must be registered for see images attach

I won't be buying anything else to restore system until at least March or April next year, but I had to grab these while I can, due to the scarcity of 88-91 Econoline AC lines. I'll be dipping into savings to pay for this $175 of lines.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

This is an older, earlier 80s part for 5.0/5.8 vans... but it's for an FS6 compressor and uses the same exact connection point for the condenser... so maybe it'll fit an IDI?

I'd guess that there's a fairly good chance. The bull nose trucks had an A/C line that said 5.8/6.9 on a tag on the line. That's the one that runs across the back of the engine bay.

 

[Cubey]

I'd guess that there's a fairly good chance. The bull nose trucks had an A/C line that said 5.8/6.9 on a tag on the line. That's the one that runs across the back of the engine bay.

Vans only run it from the grill to the cowl, which isn't very far. Although that one kinda goes away from the compressor at an angle on the hard line, then bends back with the hose to get to the compressor. Tighter space than trucks but maybe it'll still fit, even if it's a bit longer.

 

[Cubey]

I went over to the other, closer salvage yard this afternoon, after realizing one of the two steel lines on the van had no barb at all, even at the radiator end.

I almost gave up, but I went to a very back row that had an odd mix of Ford & Dodge full size vans, a 60s car of some kind, and a 92 F2/350 with a C6.

The engine was gone from the 92, but the cooler lines were there. The hood was also gone. So I was able to climb right in and get to the threaded fittings that were still attached to the transmission.

One end is bent broken off on the longer line, but it's a very long, so I can salvage some of the line. Only one has a barb on the end, so I'll still have to cobble together the lines with compression unions, but now I won't have as much hose running around under there. Hose rots with heat and age, brass compression unions don't.

I ordered a 4pk of the 5/16" compression to barb fittings too for less per piece, and I'll free return the 2pk. It was $16 for 2, or $21 for 4. I didn't think I needed more than 2, or I'd have ordered the 4 to begin with.

So anyway, I went to pay for the lines, figuring it would be $5/line or so. Clerk just said I could just have them, because they're normally only $2, or something. And I guess he saw how dirty and old they were and figured they're not worth ringing up. So big win, I think. Saved me buying a $30 roll of new steel line.

The pair of silver ones to the side are the ones that were on the van. Way too short.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[klook]

Well.. I found (and downloaded) this odd old web page that lists 80s-90s Ford Econoline AC lines with the more modern Motorcraft YF part numbers, along with typical factory part numbers.

HA_Ford Trucks

They have a bunch of categories, including other Ford trucks: https://www.polarbearinc.com/pbpc/homepage/products_HA.html

But it does have a mistake for at least one entry. It lists a 92+ hose as fitting 88-91 and I almost bought one for a lot of money. Thankfully I figured it out before hand.

With the help of that page, I found a very hard to find line that will allow me to delete rear ac for only $40 on eBay from a seller in Texas that only lists the YF part number, no years or factory number.

I know this diagram is for a gasser but it's close enough for illustrative purposes. Its 95% accurate to how an IDI van with an FS6 compressor looks. I had to add (4) marker hence the circle being wonky

You must be registered for see images attach

#1. This should be the exact part for IDI fitment.

You must be registered for see images attach

#2. Also exact IDI fitment. The only line RockAuto and others still sells for 88-91 vans, but it was half the price of RockAuto, and it's genuine NOS Motorcraft instead of questionable aftermarket. This deletes a connection to the aux (rear) ac evaporator core.

You must be registered for see images attach

#3. This is the hard to find line that crosses over. It seems to be a catch-all part for all Econolines without aux AC. This deletes the other aux evaporator core connection from the system. This was the big problem I was having with trying to restore at least front ac, because the aux version of this has an extra hose coming of it at a tee junction, for going to the aux core.

You must be registered for see images attach

#4. Hohum. This is impossible to find in the proper part number. This is an older, earlier 80s part for 5.0/5.8 vans... but it's for an FS6 compressor and uses the same exact connection point for the condenser... so maybe it'll fit an IDI? It was one of the two cheapest lines (#2 being $34) but this also has free (seller paid) return shipping. If I find it's too drastically longer or something when I hold it up in the engine bay and try to judge fitment, it can go back. But, the proper one seems entirely impossible to find, because it's only for 88-91 E250/350 IDIs, nothing else. So this seems to be as good as I'm going to find, most likely. (And I have no idea why they said General Motors when it's very clearly Ford/Motorcraft)

You must be registered for see images attach

I won't be buying anything else to restore system until at least March or April next year, but I had to grab these while I can, due to the scarcity of 88-91 Econoline AC lines. I'll be dipping into savings to pay for this $175 of lines.

So I gather from this that there is a line out there that cuts off the rear AC.....Very good info. Since mine is an 92, please follow up on what works for you. Mine worked when I turned it on but I only had the front filled and it lost the ability to cool much. I don't know if the back leaked out or not.

 

[Cubey]

So I gather from this that there is a line out there that cuts off the rear AC.....Very good info. Since mine is an 92, please follow up on what works for you. Mine worked when I turned it on but I only had the front filled and it lost the ability to cool much. I don't know if the back leaked out or not.

There are feed and return lines for the rear AC, so you have to delete it from two points in the system up front.

As such, there is no separate filling of the rear. If you fill for the front, the same refrigerant is fed through for the rear. If there is a leak in the lines to/from the rear, front will stop cooling too. That's why there is only one AC compressor and one condenser.

Rear heater works on the same principle. It has a feed and a return heater hose running all the way back for a heater core, tying in to the front heater system.

That's why I'm deleting rear AC, it gets rid of the rear evaporator core that's NLA, and removes more possibilities for leaks in the lines. I already deleted rear heat when replacing the water pump for the same reason.

Deleting rear AC on 92+ is this easy, I think.

This is a 96:

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

You'll lose all refrigerant charge doing that of course. But you only need the $5-10 AC line disconnect tool.

 

[klook]

Well the guy that did mine said there was, and mine worked just great for months until I turned on the back AC. ****, neither works good now.

 

[klook]

Wait a minute......**** is a bad word? p o o f

 

[Cubey]

Well the guy that did mine said there was, and mine worked just great for months until I turned on the back AC. ****, neither works good now.

It would require a separate compressor and condenser, unless yours has a valve someplace that isolates the rear lines?

 

[klook]

That is what he indicated....

 

[Cubey]

That is what he indicated....

Check this out. I haven't looked to see what it says about the AC system.

You need a free account to "borrow" it for a limited time, like a virtual library book. But then you can take screenshots etc.

ford 1998 -econoline : various : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

archive.org

 

[Cubey]

I finally went over to Advance Auto to buy Carquest brand 5/16" transmission cooler hose, shown online for $2.49/ft. Cheaper than AutoZone brand $2.99/ft or O'Reilly's $4.19/ft Gates.

Turns out they had none in stock. Also didn't have Gates, priced at $5.49/ft. Their own inventory system said it was there, but it wasn't. I had that same problem in Arizona with AutoZone for the 5/8" heater hose.

The clerk called the other location and had them bring over whatever they had, either Carquest or Gates. They brought Gates.

For some reason, the carquest was listed at $1.95/ft in their system (vs $2.49/ft online) and shows "discontinued" on my receipt, because he sold me the Gates hose at the carquest price. Can't complain about that, getting it for over 50% off.

That's what AutoZone did for the heater hose too, sold me the expensive hose for the cheaper hose price.

I bought 6ft of the cooler hose, to be sure I have enough, since I'll still be running the spin on filter setup and that requires a bunch extra.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Cubey]

Oh ffs. The barbs someone put on the transmission and filter head are 3/8".

Well ok, I ordered a pack of 5/16" barbs since it's 1/4" npt for both the transmission and filter head. Thursday is when they're due for delivery.

They're stupidly expensive from auto parts stores ($6 each!), sold as fuel line fittings.

You must be registered for see images attach

Instead, I ordered these, $8 for 5, sold as air hose fittings. It shouldn't matter as long as the threads and barbs are correct.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Cubey]

It's been a bit hard to get up and do stuff after most of a month sick in bed and dreading working outside in the mild heat/humid with nasty mosquitoes.

But I'm slowly working at it a bit every day.

The new transmission cooler is mounted. It needs the zip ties on the bottom brackets to keep it from being so shaky/rattly. That's about the best I can do mounting wise without taking off the bumper and all. This way, I only have to remove the grill to gain access to all mounting points.

You'd think the condenser would have cooled enough, but the tubes are a bit less thick it looks like, so maybe it was slowing the flow.

But also, thinking about how the butchered remnants of the steel cooler lines were, someone zip tied both steel lines tight together. Meaning the burning hot line was bleeding off uncooled ATF temperature into the return line, probably heating it right back up some.

Pic from previous post, the short bundle up top in the photo was what I pulled from the van.

The new cooler with the condenser behind it. I left about 1" of an air gap behind the transmission cooler.

You must be registered for see images attach