I have stainless braided lines on my car, and regret getting them. They were extremely expensive, and I had a lot of problems when I first installed them because they leak. Do yourself a favour and use the proper Crimped fittings on barrier hose. You could put a stainless mesh over them to get that "look".

-- Edited by hemi43 on Sunday 19th of January 2014 04:55:49 PM

Fordy Acres Car Farm wrote:

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I'm not 100% sure but I think 'Dave M' has an awesome set of crimper tools just for this purpose. I'd try him first, if it's not him, don't blame me....it was my memory!

Dave M : ontariorodders.activeboard.com/m1561793/profile/

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 Yes, Dave has the crimpers. Braided AC lines are not crimped !! They use a fitting which clamps onto the hose, which is the inherit problem.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Aeroquip/Aeroquip-Air-Conditioning-Hose-Hose-End-Fittings/753042/10002/-1

-- Edited by hemi43 on Sunday 19th of January 2014 05:01:24 PM

JohnnyBgood wrote:

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So what you are saying is the crimped are better than the fittings that are clamps?

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 Absolutely !! I would never use them again. Also there's the price factor. By the time I was done, those 2 little lines cost me almost $300. 

^^Those are hydraulic lines. I'm pretty sure there are subtle differences at the fittings - Dave M, please chime in if I'm mistaken.

-- Edited by Fordy Acres Car Farm on Sunday 19th of January 2014 05:29:47 PM

AC lines use what's called " barrier hose". They have a nylon barrier .

This is the type of fitting you're looking for.
www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-HOSE-FITTING-10-FEMALE-BUMP-TUBE-ORING-STRAIGHT-10-1-2-/360603166632

Don't quote me on this, but I don't think barbed fittings are used anymore. The old freon R12 had large molecules compared to the current 134A used, and that's why the new refrigerant uses new lines. This is another reason that converting an older R12 system to 134A doesn't work. The older non-barrier hoses would leak over time.

There must be a reputable automotive AC business located near you. Explain what you're doing and ask them to make the hoses for you. The reason DaveM got the crimper, is because where we live it was impossible to find anyone that offered this service.

Thax for the info Hemi...I still like to have the braided lines but I will most likely go for the barrier hose just because I'm not doing it twice.

Beadlock fittings are used with barrier hose. System works well and the crimper is portable so they can be crimped with the hose on the vehicle. if you have the $800 crimper.
Another style is ez-clip. The lines are a smaller outside diameter and are much more flexible. http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Hydraulics/Fittings/PCT_259178 

I've used both styles and both work well.

I use the ez-clip now just because it's easier to work with and no crimper required just a tool to install the clips.

 

I've used the aeroquip fittings before but not with stainless, never liked them.

I have a few 1/2 " benders let me know and you can borrow it for a few days

Got the lines in. Slim let me use his bender for the hard lines. Wish I used more hard lines. Going to test it tomorrow for leaks...fingers crossed eh.

Thax sas...

JohnnyBgood wrote:

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Got the lines in. Slim let me use his bender for the hard lines. Wish I used more hard lines. Going to test it tomorrow for leaks...fingers crossed eh.

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 So, did I miss part of the story? Did you measure the lengths needed and order the lines pre -made? Or did you get someone to crimp your lines once you had the length and indexed for proper routing? .....or did you borrow/rent a proper crimper?