#1  
Old 01-24-2020, 12:37 AM
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Default Driver Car A/C Crossroads

Wondering what y'all have done on A/C driver cars. On resto cars I suppose also.

My compressor went out on my factory R12 system. I am debating what to do. I don't even use AC here in Montana summers. I had a 71 converted to R134 and it was never as cold as the R12, it seemed cool at best. On no AC, am thinking of removing stuff back to firewall suitcase, so it could be readily put back factory, if desired. A true factory no AC conversion would seem a mistake, and huge project.

On the other hand, thinking another 134 conversion might be the smartest idea.

What has anyone done in this situation, or would do? Wish R12 was available still.

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  #2  
Old 01-24-2020, 10:32 AM
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R12 is still available to AC techs. Fix the compressor and have functioning AC. 134 is not as good a refrigerant as 12.

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Old 01-24-2020, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Scarebird View Post
R12 is still available to AC techs. Fix the compressor and have functioning AC. 134 is not as good a refrigerant as 12.
That is incredible news. I wonder why people convert? Or why I was steered that way last time...... I need to look into, as I would love to keep system the way it is.

Also, sorry on my technical lack of knowledge on AC, but compressor locked up. System had good R12 blowing cold. Can it be saved or is it a goner?

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Old 01-24-2020, 11:24 AM
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I installed a Sanden compressor, a modern condenser, flushed the evap, installed new hoses, and replaced the POA with a pressure switch - then converted to 134 on my '73. Not as cold a new car, but better than I expected.

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Old 01-24-2020, 12:15 PM
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When R12 was being phased out, the price skyrocketed. Since then it has come down quite a bit since there's only a few cars and equipment left still using it The hard part is finding a shop that still has R12 equipment and an R12 qualified technician. I have a local 76 station that specializes in repairs to older cars and they do quite a bit of R12 A/C work.
You can still buy the small cans of R12 at auto swap meets. here in CA. Illegal to sell to a unqualified person but who's checking.

The older transit vehicles from my former workplace originally used R12 and after we converted to 134 I was able to buy a surplus 30# bottle of R12 fairly cheap. Came in handy for my ElCo. Installed a new compressor 10 years ago and its still blowing 38* from the center duct.

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Old 01-24-2020, 12:52 PM
eaglesan13 eaglesan13 is offline
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I agree with others who have posted, I would stay with the R12. I just checked Craigslist in my area and you can get the individual cans for anywhere from $25.00 to $40.00 each.

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Old 01-24-2020, 02:25 PM
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R12 check on E-bay all that you want or need

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Old 01-24-2020, 02:44 PM
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Stick with R12. Still fairly easy and cheap to buy.

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Old 01-24-2020, 07:03 PM
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Are you close to Great Falls? Look into Jerry's Radiator and Air Conditioning Service if so.

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Old 01-24-2020, 10:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee View Post
I installed a Sanden compressor, a modern condenser, flushed the evap, installed new hoses, and replaced the POA with a pressure switch - then converted to 134 on my '73. Not as cold a new car, but better than I expected.
This set up is reliable and works well. The new extra bypass condenser makes this work well enough in 90% of the times its used.

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Old 01-24-2020, 11:33 PM
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I went all original style reproduction parts on my 79 TA and it’s kind of cool....

Vintage air on my 72 TA and it is like a new car. Looking back I wish I would have just put vintage air on the 79

  #12  
Old 01-25-2020, 10:51 AM
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i just had my engine rebuilt 2 yrs ago & at that time i opted to remove the entire A/C system and put it in storage....while we do get hot summers here in MD, i mainly drive it on the weekends and i prefer to drive with my windows open so i found myself rarely using the A/C when it did work....i have all the A/C parts in case the next owner wants to put it back...the added bonus is that its SOOOOOO much easier working on that side of the engine w/o the A/C crap....

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Old 01-25-2020, 01:05 PM
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A-6 compressors here on two factory 71-72 455 HO M22 cars & on three '73-79 4spd T/A projects. Have a lot of R12, have never had a prob coming up with R12, reasonably, have even had many long time friends & acquaintances give me cans of R12 when cleaning out their garages, etc.

Personally, can't stand the appearance of the cheesy looking brackets, compressor, & the shape of the lines coming out of the Sandeen conversion setups. Only thing uglier, IMO, is the massive aftermarket compressor setups from the 70's. Have put a ton of miles on four XJ Cherokees over the years & replaced two of their Sandeen compressors, fairly reliable. IMHO, the Sandeen compressors have a place, buried under the hood of a somewhat later model vehicle. If was forced to replace an A-6 compressor & go to an aftermarket replacement on ANY of my Pontiac's or any other that came through here, would replace it with an S-6 compressor. An S-6 that gained a stamped steel shroud to make it look more like an original A-6. Have seen such a fabricated shroud before, painted black & with a reproduction Harrison decal, if you didn't focus on the AC clutch, the whole deal didn't look out of place.

AC to non AC conversions... about to begin extensive cowl face replacement on one of my '72's to convert it to factory heater car appearance/function. For what the car is, knocking 110 lbs off the frontend will help quite a bit. Many years ago, did the quick & easy, just removing the compressor & brackets on my first T/A. Never had a defrost function after that, windshield would fog up with high humidity, was not acceptable. On this '72 A-body, am duplicating the factory non AC functions, sure it will be nice to have the extra room along the pass side, as well as functional defrost function.

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Last edited by 'ol Pinion head; 01-25-2020 at 01:10 PM.
  #14  
Old 01-25-2020, 01:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Held for Ransom View Post
Are you close to Great Falls? Look into Jerry's Radiator and Air Conditioning Service if so.
5-6 hours over the Rockies. Thanks for tip!

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Old 01-25-2020, 01:44 PM
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Thanks so far on responses! Help a lot! So on the R12, I can get replacement compressor or do I get mine rebuilt? The end locked up totally, I thought it would catch fire when it happened driving.

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Old 01-25-2020, 03:47 PM
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Pretty sure they have rebuild kits for clutch that lock up in compressor.

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  #17  
Old 01-25-2020, 04:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bird72 View Post
Thanks so far on responses! Help a lot! So on the R12, I can get replacement compressor or do I get mine rebuilt? The end locked up totally, I thought it would catch fire when it happened driving.
I've been in the same bind as you. Buying R12 is not the problem. Finding a shop that still has the evac & charging station for R12 is the problem. Large shops will not do R12 because they likely have gotten rid of the old "obsolete" equipment or have been told it's illegal to deal with R12. But a smaller perhaps home based shop will likely be happy to service your R12 needs.

My fix, since I have 3 R12 Firebirds was to buy my own equipment. Bought used gauges, hoses and fittings but bought a new vacuum pump plus a couple old manuals teaching about Frigidaire A6 systems. Of course the factory shop manuals deal with this too, but often refer to GM only tools/equipment.

For the compressor, you've probably heard that there's no such thing as a good rebuilt A6 compressor and that has been my experience. If you're going to replace your original, buy new, even if the appearance is a bit different. RockAuto still sells a new A6 type compressor with clutch. Of course, for max originality, open up yours and see what it looks like. It may be too far gone, but if not, rebuild kits are widely available.

The reason R134 conversions rarely work as well as the old R12 is due to the design of the complete A/C system. Original R134 systems are purpose built for the lower cooling rate of R134. Some say it's good enough, others like your comment, find conversions to only give cool air.

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