I'm having a complete blonde moment...what is the part that mounts between the front grill and the radiator called? Condenser?

condenser coil

I just need help regarding about the condenser of my 77 280z. Recently I lost all of my freon and turned out to be a leaking condenser. I searched online for replacement and found this link http://www.shepherdautoparts.com/autoparts/w5rDksOawrvCoMObw5PDlcOTwqI=.htm

Is this a good quality product? or should I stay with the stock one I have and have it repair in the radiator repair shop? usually to repair, it costs about $40.

Thanks (sorry for bringing up an old thread)

I just need help regarding about the condenser of my 77 280z. Recently I lost all of my freon and turned out to be a leaking condenser. I searched online for replacement and found this link http://www.shepherdautoparts.com/autoparts/w5rDksOawrvCoMObw5PDlcOTwqI=.htm

Is this a good quality product? or should I stay with the stock one I have and have it repair in the radiator repair shop? usually to repair, it costs about $40.

Thanks (sorry for bringing up an old thread)

The first question you have to answer is - "are you going to use R-12 again?" or "have you already switched to R-134a?"

It matters. The molecular structure of R-12 is physically larger that that of R-134. In order to maintain as much surface contact between the cooling gas and the metal surfaces of the cooling tubes - R-134 systems use condensers and evaporators that have physically smaller diameter tubes and more of them. The better one's are referred to as "uniflow" as the cooling gases flow back and fourth in the conderser. {somewhat the same principle as a "cross flow" radiator" for engine cooling}.

R-134a will leak out of most older R-12 systems, because the R-12 systems did not need to use O-ringed connections, nor shielded rubber hoses. Which R-134a systems use to prevent leaking gas to the atmosphere.R-134a will actually leak right threw the walls of the old R-12 rubber hoses.

Many people swear by Freeze12 as a replacement for R-12 - because the A/C oil used by them both is compatible and Freeze12 has a molecular structure similar to R-12. Thus avoiding the need to change all the old rubber hoses & connectors. I haven't used it yet - I still have a couple cans of R-12 left... but soone or later...

Bottom line - what condenser you use depends on what type of refrigerant you plan to use.

FWIW,

Carl B.