Custom auto A/C system, does compressor line to the condensor have to be on top?

[rustystuff]

Greetings!
Installing an A/C system on a 1955 Buick, nothing stock, now has an 1995 LT1 engine with the HD6 compressor. Purchased a universal 21" x 21" condenser for R134 and will be using a universal under dash evaporator with a TXV valve. Universal drier to be mounted after the condenser.
Question is do I have to mount the pressure feed hose from the compressor to the top of the condenser? My hose plumbing would be much cleaner if I could feed the condenser on the bottom and exit out the top to the drier and then to the evaporator.
Every diagram I see shows the input on the top, HOWEVER on 4th generation camaro z28s, which use this same compressor, the have the feed on the bottom and the outlet on the top from the factory. Would this be a special condenser to deal with this plumbing or can I run the lines that way with my universal unit?
Thanks!

[Cornbinder89]

Well the condensers job is to remove heat and turn the hot vapor to liquid. Any remaining gas will tend to the top while liquid will sink toward the bottom, which is why the inlet is at the top and liquid line at the bottom.
Will it work reversed? probably, but with some loss of effectiveness.
If it were me, I wouldn't try and fight gravity and plumb it in the conventional manor.

[rustystuff]

Thanks, i will plumb it the conventional way.

[Cornbinder89]

One thought, and I don't know if it will help.
I haven't seen a device to make O ring fittings on the end of tubing. So you can't use tubing easily, you can , however get flare to O ring adaptors and run flared tubing to make the run easier, then switch back to O ring for the rest of the system.
If you have the ability to braise steel or weld aluminum, you can get weld on fitting ends for the tube runs, which is another way around the problem.
Tubing takes much less space and can be formed into exact bends the hose can not. It is why the OEM's who can form O ring fittings, run a lot of tubing.
If you do use tubing just support it well and use bulkhead fitting where it passes through a panel where ever possible.

[rustystuff]

Late response but thanks, looks like I will be able to do it in the conventional way with hoses. I agree tubing would be nice, and they do make bend to fit lines in precut lengths. I also have a mastercool tool that makes GM push connect ends which is very close to an AC oring type connections, maybe it would also work, but I think I will go with the hoses.