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BobnSofi's avatar
BobnSofi
Explorer
May 19, 2013

Removing the AC condenser to change out the Radiator

Hi all, it is time to change out of 1996 Ford F53 radiator. Below we found the how to on these forums.

The question is => ??? Discharge the AC and remove the condenser ???

As i recall, you have to vacuum pump the a/c system when recharging.

Do do you DO-IT-YOURSELFR'S handle => ??? Discharge the AC and remove the condenser ???

"The radiator won't come out the bottom. It comes out the front. The drain is on the lower, right, back corner of the radiator. Get out your flash light. It's there. You'll need to remove or bend forward the transmission cooler. You probably won't be able to remove the power steering fluid cooler, just bent it forward a little. Discharge the AC and remove the condenser. Two long bolts on the top are all that holds the radiator and AC condenser. Move the power steering reservoir to the side. Remove two radiator hoses. Remove on small radiator hose on the left side. Remove the two transmission cooling lines, on the left side. Probably have to remove the rubber air damn. Lift top of radiator up and forward."


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  • By law, you need an evacuation pump and containment vessel to hold the refrigerant. It's not supposed to be vented to the atmosphere. Maybe you can get a shop that has he AC equipment, to draw it down and then replace it when the radiator replacement is completed.
  • westend wrote:
    By law, you need an evacuation pump and containment vessel to hold the refrigerant. It's not supposed to be vented to the atmosphere. Maybe you can get a shop that has he AC equipment, to draw it down and then replace it when the radiator replacement is completed.


    Yes, find a shop to evacuate the system for you so you can work on it.
  • One item to add to the instructions. The fan shroud has two bolts into the top of the radiator, that must be removed. Then the shroud can be lifted up and off of the clips on the bottom. These bolts are accessed from the dog house and are hard to see.
    If you haven't ordered you new radiator yet, google part # 2691CBR to find the best price. Last month JC Whitney had the best delivered price, $560.00. I just finished installing my 1995 F53 radiator yesterday.
    As a suggestion, remove the 2 block drain plugs to get all the old coolant out and then use distilled water when refilling the system. Tap water will lower the PH of the antifreeze to an unacceptable level. About 21 quarts for a complete refill.

    As for the R134A refrigerant in your MH. If you can find an empty 30 lb. 134A container, put it in the freezer for 24 hours and it will accept almost all the the refrigerant in your system. You can then reuse the refrigerant, if you are certain that it is clean and dry.
    Assuming that you have 134A gauges.

    Richard
    95 Bounder
  • I found that Habor Freight now sell a vacuum pump that has R134 fittings. So when it's empty you can draw down a vacuum and refill yourself using their $49 gauge set.

    One heck of a lot cheaper than using an ac shop.

    Also keep your eye open at Walmart - occasionally they have 12oz cans of R134 for $7.

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