I'm restoring a 71 454 without old AC parts to compare with. My new main manifold from Ecklers requires me to orient and crimp the connector at the POA valve outlet (going to the compressor). Though my engine is out, I measured as best I could to where the compressor would be and attempted to orient the large hose and "U" fitting to the POA valve. So far, I can't see how it could possibly fit with the engine in place. The hose seems much too long and is very difficult to twist or loop into place. My assembly manual shows it going generally downward from the compressor, but I've got way too much hose for that. Can someone tell me what the length of the suction hose should actually be between the fittings? How should it route between compressor and POA valve? I'm tempted to wait until the engine is back in place, but I'm not sure there will be enough room to tighten the fitting at the POA valve then without a lot of hassle. For the prices we pay for this stuff, you would think it would be complete and actually fit. Too much to ask?

Paul, I would definitely wait until the engine is back in. These parts are very difficult at best to install, not much less guess at lengths. I just recently re-did the entire A/C hoses, comp, evaporator, etc and can say it was not easy. it is a SB, but still I would think you can get to everything you need. I had the car on stands and could get to everything, a bitch, but I got it. The hoses were so stiff and appeared to be crimped wrong at first, but it fit more or less. I compared the new with old on each component, not a whole lot of difference, but still made it crazy and most certainly would not want to do it again. Let me know if i can help.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm about to start on the engine rebuild, so it shouldn't be too long before I can try it with everything in place. Waiting also has the advantage of doing nothing irreversible. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Ok, good luck and take your time. Everything from here out is going to be a challange. I found that even though we are using new parts, they do not ever fit as well as the General did 35 years ago. The big hose from the compressor to the poa wraps around really weird and I had to take it off and back on several times before I got it. I am surprised that something did not break, everything is so awkward to tighten down. The system has not been charged yet, should have the rebuild running next week and then on to all the stuff that does not work after re assembly.