A/C Condenser question

[Duodec]

Every time I have an A/C question I'm not sure where to put it, so this time since its the condenser and attached externally, here we are.

The COndenser from my car was stored for decades and got banged and squished quite a bit.  Its still solid and doesn't leak (pressure tested) but its got so much fin damage that the 8+ hours I've spent with a fin rake and duckbill pliers got maybe half of it.  The fins are openeing up and are mostly still 'there' but its never going to look good.

Am I better off getting a new one?  How is the quality and fit of currently available condensers?  I know you can get higher efficiency units that are better for R134a but I'm probably sticking with R12.  I'm concerned about getting china-made low quality, or having significant fitment problems like the aftermarket heater cores and evaporators (even Mexican made ones).

Thanks for info.

[MoparLeo]

I would buy all new a/c components and specify where you want them made. Also go with the major a/c companies.
Quality is the deciding factor, not price.
 If you get good stuff to begin with, you will only buy it one time.

[blown motor]

I don't the level of show that your car is at. ie driver or one of three trailer queen. I'm going to with it not being a trailer queen.

I'm going to throw some stuff at you as food for thought. Please take it as just that. Where do you get the most enjoyment from your car? Driving it or looking at it? And if it's looking at it, do you open the hood every time you look at it? It sounds like the condenser is functional but not necessarily aesthetically pleasing. How much does that REALLY matter? I get where you're coming from. I have a 68 Charger that is gorgeous and a 74 Challenger that is not as gorgeous and I've debated many time doing a paint and body job on the Challenger so it looks as good as the Charger. But when I'm behind the wheel of either one, driving down the highway, none of that matters. I just love to drive them. At the end of the day the chips in the hood or the paint crack above the right rear wheel didn't matter, it was still had a great day. As I said, just food for thought. You do you.

[RUNCHARGER]

You don't want contamination in the system, I vote get a new one.

[Duodec]

I no longer have illusions about restoring the car to pristine condition, though I still want it to look nice.  I plan on getting it painted and proper body work done (some dents, very little rust in the rear quarters), but its going to be a driver.  Its a base model 318 auto.  I want to keep the factory A/C; its going to need a new compressor, receiver dryer, and the suction hose rebuilt (I got a nice discharge hose recently).

I am considering a parallel flow 'more efficient' style condenser reportedly made in USA and recommended for R134 (which benefits from that efficiency) even if I stick with R12 (which I have).  That won't look stock either.  But if I have to replace the condenser, the parallel flow unit costs close to the same as a tube and fin and would mean if I did have to fail down to R134A, I'd still have that advantage.

In this case though I'm less concerned about the fact that the view of the condenser through the grill is going to show some raggedy-ness, and more about the fact that there was enough fin damage/crush/bending (though no tube damage so far) that even after straightening everything out as well as I can, that the efficiency of the condenser has been reduced.  Airflow may be close to original but perhaps there's been separation of fins from tubes, or perhaps however they're attached can weaken the tubes when the fins are  broken away by squishing them or straightening them afterwards.

I was hoping someone had experience in that regard.

The parts that are remaining are going to be thoroughly flushed and cleaned, but its going to be a long time before the system is put together and I want to make sure I have the parts.  Cleaning up the fins on the evaporator so I can finish the A/C box subproject, and decided to check and work on the condenser at the same time. 

[blown motor]

You're working on a 71, yes? I have a condenser from a 74, not sure if they're the same but if you're interested we can pursue that. Maybe its better than what you're working with. I would get it pressure tested and it's yours for the cost of shipping. I also have some lines but again, I don't know if they're the same as a 71.

[EV2RTSE]

I'm in the same boat, I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet but I need to soon. IMO the one that Year One carries looks like it should be fine, I also came across this one made in the USA-

https://autoacsolutions.com/products/condensers/1971/1970-1971-dodge-challenger-1971-dodge-charger-1971-dodge-coronet-ac-condenser-and-drier/

Looks like it's good quality but the darker finish on the one from Year One is probably closer to the original, if that's important