Last issue first. Don't worry (too much) about a vacuum pressure guage.
Get a good quality AC recharge guage set (with hoses). This will
connect to your high and low sides and will show the pressure in the
system (and the low side will show a vacuum, when the system is
correctly evacuuated.)

The compressor discharge (compressed gasses) goes to the front of the
vehicle to the condensor which sits in front of your water radiator. In
a work system, the compressor discharge will probably be hot to the
touch.

The expansion Valve is in hose as it enters the evaporator. That device
(evaporator) sits in the passenger cabin and passes warm air over a
heat exchanger (radiator like device) to absorb the heat of the cabin
(providing cooler air).

The drier sits on the line returning from the condensor. It's purpose
is to remove any stray water in the system.

The compressor suction side comes from the evaporator. It is usually
cool to the touch. It contains gases which have absorbed heat from the
passenger cabin.

On May 23, 2005, at 9:24 AM, Michael Knight wrote:

>
> 1 - Compressor Discharge side
> 2 - Expansion Valve
> 3 - Condensor
> 4 - Drier
> 5 - Evaporator
> 6 - Compressor Suction Side
>
>
> Also I did pick up a Vacuum pump an will be looking for a Vacuum Gauge
> to
> attach to it. I want to watch the pressure after applying it to the
> system
> to check for leaks.