A/C compressor dilemna, 91 Q45

[ScottJackson]

I bought a A/C compressor for my 91 Q off ebay. It was from a 94 and supposed to be the same as my 91 since my 91 was converted to R134. Turns out that it is interchangeable EXCEPT the high/low hose locations are switched. What was low pressure hose on top is now on bottom. The problem is that the bends in the hard lines for the hoses interfere not allowing me to hook up the low pressure side hose. Is it safe to try to bend the aluminum tubing on this hose in a bench vise or something similar? I've heard the way to keep them from collapsing is to fill them with sand and then bend. Does that work? How about cutting the aluminum piping and extending it with a 2" length of rubber heater hose to clear the high side pipe? I know the 25-30psi pressure of the low side I need to modify won't be too much to ask of heater hose and hose clamps, but will the rubber cause problems with R134 and/or the oil in the system?

[ScottJackson]

A/C systems use lots of rubber hoses, all I'd need is this type of hose to make my modification. But that's only if I shouldn't bend the aluminum. I need about 3/8" more room is all so I won't need to bend it a bunch. So the question now is: should I try to bend the aluminum tubing or should I not risk cracking it and go straight to cutting it and splicing in a rubber piece?

[911/Q45]

Qs use a variable displacement compressor, kind of unique. I'd be surprised if the one you bought truly interchanges. It would be a shame to mess up the hoses and then discover you now need a new compressor and hoses too!

[Q451990]

I think I'd look for hoses from a 94-96 instead... Bending aluminum tubing without creating a kink and a break is very difficult.

Heath

[DAEDALUS]

That, plus heater hose is not designed to retain R-134a. Even R-12 hoses don't retain R-134a well, due to the molecule being so small. Furthermore, there could be a reaction between the heater hose and the refrigerant or the lubricant. Look at the tightest bend in the line right now...it probably has the tightest radius I would feel comfortable placing into a new bend.