I have looked through threads but have not found a definitive answer on A/C replacement. It's summer and a little cool air would be great but I am not sure what models of engines I can swap an A/C unit with.

 

Any b or d series. Hasport and innovative both make a bracket which bolts the d series compressor to the b series block. Hasport is more expensive and works with both the sanden and matsushita compressors while the innovative bracket only works with the sanden compressor.

Check out this guys AC rebuild and recharge.

http://www.azht.net/forum/showthread.php?t=170994

 

Three things about that thread and an A/C rebuild in general:

1. Do not forget to insulate the Expansion Valve's sensing bulb from outside air. It must literally be taped to the evaporator's outlet with 'Presstite' tape in order to properly sense superheat. The original poster used a radiator clamp on it and I almost ran my face through my desk.

2. Seal the condenser to the radiator in order to force all of the air from the radiator fans through the condenser by using a foam weatherstrip or whatever air dams you can come up with. This improves idle performance greatly. I used a roll of this from weatherstrip from Home Depot for 3$

3. Do NOT use dielectric grease to coat the o-rings. The best thing to use on O-ring fittings would be Nylog: http://www.refrigtech.com/Product/Se...ylog_blue.html

If you cannot obtain Nylog, then use whatever A/C oil you have currently in the system to lube the o-rings with. I have NEVER torn an o-ring while using Nylog, and it's even fully miscible and compatible with the refrigerant. You can even coat the threads on the hard lines and it will act as anti-seize for them. Nylog makes for extremely easy A/C servicing in the future.

 

Awesome, thank you I will post updates

 

Using the skunk2 half sized radiator and placing the 2nd fan directly on the condenser would probably greatly improve idle performance as well.

If the expansion valves bulb is not taped up, how will it affect the AC system?

 

When I replaced my A/C in my 1991 base Civic, I was leery of all the expansion valve stuff, so I bought the entire new-in-box Honda OEM evaporator that came with the expansion valve already installed. I got it cheap by looking around on ebay for it. Don't assume that these old parts will cost a fortune. Look around and you can find some good deals. I went back to R12, by the way, which I would recommend to everyone. I get down to 33 degrees at the center vent.

 

The expansion valve is the metering device for the A/C system. If it has poor insulation and/or isn't properly attached to the outlet of the evaporator, there is a chance for a higher low side pressure which results in terrible cooling.

It has to be able to sense the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator and can't do so properly without being insulated from the air flowing across the evaporator.

 

I see, thanks for the response.