XB Airconditioning - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SilverEA · 12-17-2002, 22:00

Does anybody know where ford originaly put the vacuum reservour tank in the XB's for factory airconditioning? I have just bought some parts to convert the ugly repco aftermarket aircon to factory air in my XB Fairmont GS. Any help on these units will be appreciated such as installing and any known problems with these units.
Thanks......

XC_GS_351 · 12-18-2002, 01:44

If it is the same as the XC there was no vacuum reservoir (well not in mine anyway). I ended up putting a one way valve in the line. Thought about getting a reservoir from an XF and putting it under the guard or something but never got around to doing it.

As for problems, I would get an a/c specialist to make sure the a/c and heater cores are free from leaks before installing the unit. Also you should probably replace most of the vacuum hoses and make sure the seals are 100% ok in all duct joins and the internal vents. The vacuum distributor that sits behind the a/c controls should also be checked as they can leak. The blowers motors can go and again if it is a second hand unit get it checked out. Maybe worth replacing it anyway.

Before I put mine back in after getting the car resprayed I hooked it all up and made sure things worked as far as I could. Get a factory workshop manual if you can because it tells you everything you need to know. Remember, once it goes in it is a pain in the arse to pull the whole dash out again. I also ended up using all aftermarket gear forward of the firewall and my system was as good as most new ones.

gregaust · 12-18-2002, 02:35

The vacuum can that looks like a fruit tin usually sits in the back corner below where the heater hoses exit the firewall.I don't know if it's really necessary and you could prob use a one-way valve from xc/xd as mentioned above..

SilverEA · 12-18-2002, 13:33

Thanks guys. I have the dash out at the moment and i thought i might as well install factory air while i have it out, cause i cant be bothered pulling the dash out again later!

12-18-2002, 14:51

In my 75 Landau the vacuum reservoir sat on the inner guard under the left hand bonnet hinge. There is also another vacuum tank ( much bigger) which sits up under the front of the left hand guard, but that was more for the Headlight covers.

The HVAC vacuum can is about 3" round and about 4" deep. if you have one check it for leaks before you fit it. Repairing them is fairly easy, just use a decent soldering iron and solder.

There is a one way valve inline to the tank from the manifold. This tank was only really necessary on 4V 351 wild cammed engines with low idle vacuum. Although it will stop the aircon from blowing cold air on your feet when you tromp on the pedal.