Old Blue - 1984 XL Flareside

[Gary Lewis]

It is all in the way we phrase the question.  Just make sure that a lack of response means "do it!"  

[ckuske]

Ok, time for a "what would you do" ....

I'm almost about ready to mount the RH fender back on and hook up the vacuum lines and wiring connectors to try an engine start. The other reason for mounting the RH fender is so I can reattach the radiator support with the new radiator etc because you need a radiator for running an engine, right?

Would you guys mount the A/C condenser and radiator where possible to the support FIRST, then put the support back onto the truck?  Or install the support first then mount cooling components onto the support after it's back on the truck?

I'm also going to put the 90 degree petcock on the radiator before mounting it (good suggestion from Scott/kramtocs)

[Gary Lewis]

I'd put the support on first.  Then mount the components.  Not only would I, that's what I did.

[ckuske]

Ok, earlier in this thread there were some question marks regarding the fit of the new A/C condenser, maybe I'll at least lay that on top of the support to visualize what changes are needed for when it's time to mount it for real.

I just wanted to bounce this off everyone to see if fitting everything first to the support was a "work smarter, not harder" approach.  I agree mounting the support first is the path that comes to mind first...

[FuzzFace2]

Gary Lewis wrote

I'd put the support on first.  Then mount the components.  Not only would I, that's what I did.

I also did the same thing.
Besides the support gets heavy with the stuff bolted to it but the BIG ONE - what if it got away from you and fell the radiator & condenser could get damaged.
Dave ----

[ckuske]

Yeah, I thought of that too.

Thanks to you both for talking me out of of it. :)

[ckuske]

OK, next question.  So I started digging through my box of parts where I have different parts of the truck (mainly bolts/fasteners, etc) bagged and tagged.

I found my "RH Fender" bag, and I have a shim in there that is the same kind of shim that helps level out the radiator support.  I am kicking myself because I don't remember where this was installed on the fender.

So, my question is has anyone seen this sort of shim installed on a fender, and where was it installed?  I can play with it but thought I'd ask.

[kramttocs]

ckuske wrote

I'm also going to put the 90 degree petcock on the radiator before mounting it (good suggestion from Scott/kramtocs)

Well worth it

Are you talking about the tear drop shaped shim(s)?

[ckuske]

Yep, those are the ones.  See here:

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/1980-1997-Ford-Bronco-F-Series-Truck-Core-Support-Shims-Pair/productinfo/331036/ 

It's possible it somehow just made it into that bag o' parts, but I don't think so...

[kramttocs]

Maybe someone used it as a body shim just because it was handy? I would sit it aside and use it to level the core support if needed

[ckuske]

Yeah, it's possible!  I try to be really carefully but I guess I can't expect something to not slip through the cracks.

And let's not talk about putting the dash back in.. that's a big baggie of screws and a couple of years later. (shudder)

[ckuske]

I got the Rad Support mounted today, as well as the RH fender so I can start hooking up wiring again etc.  When I put the fender back on, I applied some nice thick felt (like the kind you put under chairs to prevent scuffs/scrapes), as I couldn't find a good rubber substitute.  I read later to take old hose and flatten it, but I think what I have will work.  

Better yet, the bottom of the fender now aligns much better with the edge of the door (doesn't stick out)!

Somehow I ordered two LH radiator insulators... doh.  So I have another order from Dennis Carpenter on the way with a RH insulator a few more goodies like a new cluster lens (they make them for clusters with tripometers now!) and correct (Argent) headlight doors.  Gotta justify that shipping cost!

I test mounted the new GPD 3605C A/C condenser (from RockAuto).  Frankly, the fit sucks.  I didn't expect a perfect fit based on issues people had with the Spectra, but I can't get it even close (the tube on the bottom passenger side causes bigger problems than I've seen people have with the Spectra).  I'll take a deep breath and try again. If I make it sorta fit on the bottom, it's too high to even get under the lip of the radiator support.  It just occurred to me that I can probably cut down the bottom brackets and drill new holes.  I'm not wanting to really do all that, but I realize I may not have much recourse.

Unfortunately I'm way past the time where I can return it, so I'll have to make it work, or eat it. (Or, someone else is welcome to it, I'll give them a big break off what I paid for it or something?)

I have an email into the makers of this condenser, it seems they are trying to make "the real deal" but I think it's a long shot... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/182746243327)  I'm hoping the picture is wrong as it's clearly not correct.

[Gary Lewis]

Well, even two steps forward and one back is progress.  And, as Jim says, progress is good!

Bummer about the condenser though.  Hope you can get it installed without too much trouble.  I remember it was a bit of an issue on Big Blue as I put a 1990 condenser in an '85 radiator support and it wasn't a perfect fit.  And I do think I had to drill new holes for the brackets.

[Gary Lewis]

Oh yes, I forgot.  I'm not sure I'd want something that can retain moisture as my spacer.  Will it cause rust to form there by keeping water on the metal?

[Machspeed]

I've read all kinds of story's on the poor fit of these replacement condensers. I had considered a new one in the rebuild of my AC system but was detoured by this kind of stuff. I hope this works out for you, please continue to post on the subject.  

[ckuske]

Good point, Gary.  What are other people using?  I've tried to find old hard rubber tiles around here, like the kind with that nifty asbestos in it haha but no luck.  What do you think about using hose material?  I can put a light coat grease on the felt to serve as a moisture barrier, but maybe that'll cause too much play and sliding around.

[ckuske]

Will do, I'll take a more critical look today about what I can do to make it fit.   Maybe I'll just take the brackets off completely if I can and start from there to visualize how the brackets need to be modded to fit.

[kramttocs]

I went down the spectra route as well but never was happy so ended up sticking with the original.

For the shims I went to Lowes and grabbed a few of the vinyl plank samples in various thickness. Then used a scrollsaw to cut the pattern out.

[ckuske]

Just now I took a WFH break and took the bottom brackets off the GPD 3605C A/C condenser, to see how it fit with some brackets out of the way.  It *almost* fits except for this silly bend in the tubing.  On a hunch, I chose the GPD because of all the issues I'd heard of with the Spectra unit, so maybe I'm a trailblazer (or A/C cannon fodder with a possibly useless condenser in my garage)

I'm wondering if I could try a pipe bender?  It'd be an expensive first try at that though...  Depending how I angle things, you can see the offending tube behind or in front of the radiator support.  In some of the pictures, the condenser should be shifted slightly towards the driver side, which makes bending the tubing a little more plausible.

[kramttocs]

Can't recall if this was already referenced or not but some info: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1522843-how-to-and-product-review-spectra-ac-condenser.html

I am not sure what would give if you try to bend it. Afraid it would stress and fracture where the side pipe goes into the main unit.