What is this? Accumulator on a non-A/C Truck?

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BuiltToWork

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So I have a mystery item in front of my radiator. It looks like an A/C Accumulator, but the truck never had A/C from the Factory (Heat only), doesn't have holes in the firewall like any A/C lines were ever installed and by the way the blue electric lines were run, this did not come from the factory (or someone messed with it).
In addition, one blue wire runs to a relay on the firewall and the other is just free floating with a stripped end.
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...and yes, I'm cleaning up the wires - ignore the mess.
*edit - Accumulator not condenser
 
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Randy and Easton

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It sure looks like an AC dryer.. wires and pressure switch…. Just put Vintage Air in Easton’s truck at Christmas…
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Rickf

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Looks like a previous owner started an A/C installation or removal.
 
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BuiltToWork

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It sure looks like an AC dryer.. wires and pressure switch…. Just put Vintage Air in Easton’s truck at Christmas…
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Thanks Randy. A/C Dryer with switch. got it, now to google it to learn more.
 

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BuiltToWork

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Is a dryer the same as an accumulator? here is what the google says:
"
Your car may have either a receiver/dryer or accumulator, depending on the model of your vehicle. A receiver/dryer is used on vehicles that have a thermal expansion valve. Accumulators are in vehicles that have an orifice tube. The receiver/dryer is responsible for separating gas from liquid.
"
 

Bextreme04

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So I have a mystery item in front of my radiator. It looks like an A/C Accumulator, but the truck never had A/C from the Factory (Heat only), doesn't have holes in the firewall like any A/C lines were ever installed and by the way the blue electric lines were run, this did not come from the factory (or someone messed with it).
In addition, one blue wire runs to a relay on the firewall and the other is just free floating with a stripped end.
Pics:
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

...and yes, I'm cleaning up the wires - ignore the mess.
*edit - Accumulator not condenser
Can you take a pic of the entire engine bay and maybe one of the passenger side under the dash?

So far in those pics, I can see a filter/dryer, condensor, and AC lines with an expansion valve going through your firewall right next to the heater hoses that are going through in a non-standard position. You have a GMT-400 coolant expansion tank mounted where the blower motor should be mounted on every squarebody, both AC and non-AC. So best guess would be someone installed an aftermarket AC system on your truck... and it all seems to be there from the pics you have posted so far.
 

Bextreme04

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Oh... I just realized why that didn't look right... this is a GMT-400. Why are you asking about it on a squarebody site?
 

BuiltToWork

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Can you take a pic of the entire engine bay and maybe one of the passenger side under the dash?

So far in those pics, I can see a filter/dryer, condensor, and AC lines with an expansion valve going through your firewall right next to the heater hoses that are going through in a non-standard position. You have a GMT-400 coolant expansion tank mounted where the blower motor should be mounted on every squarebody, both AC and non-AC. So best guess would be someone installed an aftermarket AC system on your truck... and it all seems to be there from the pics you have posted so far.
Mystery solved (dryer) - but here are some additional pics anyways!

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BuiltToWork

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Oh... I just realized why that didn't look right... this is a GMT-400. Why are you asking about it on a squarebody site?
Asking because you guys are smart and polite. The knowledge base here is better than any other forum i have been on, even if I don't have a square.
 

SquareRoot

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Oh... I just realized why that didn't look right... this is a GMT-400. Why are you asking about it on a squarebody site?
Some kids never played with the correct toys when they were young. That's how this happens.
 

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Bextreme04

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Asking because you guys are smart and polite. The knowledge base here is better than any other forum i have been on, even if I don't have a square.
Well, can't really argue that... although you will likely find more tribal GMT-400 specific stuff on GMT-400.com.

Those pics show you have the AC compressor bracket. I would bet that someone had it going at some point and then had a failure and stripped it back off. You can see the AC expansion valve on the AC lines right where they go through the firewall. I'd maybe start following those lines and see where they go from the firewall. I bet they run across the back of the motor and are either loose or capped off somewhere.
 

MikeGs1982

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LOL....Was someone talking about the truck, or did they punk you with the sticker on the firewall (see your second picture in your series above the breather, to the left (from the front) of the wiper motor). I did giggle a little bit.....I've call all the emission lines on my 82 that many times.
 

mshawn

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Looks like a previous owner started an A/C installation or removal.
Agreed because behind it is a ac condenser.
 

BuiltToWork

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LOL....Was someone talking about the truck, or did they punk you with the sticker on the firewall (see your second picture in your series above the breather, to the left (from the front) of the wiper motor). I did giggle a little bit.....I've call all the emission lines on my 82 that many times.
Yup, I was punked. I parked it on my jobsite when I first bought it and left it unlocked. They got me. Luckily, that wasn't bad - I've seen them pick a car with a AWD forklift (Lull) and set it on top of a conex, then hide the lull keys.
 

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The truck has an aftermarket AC system. Looks like it's all there besides the compressor and manifold line.
 

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