What Would You Do?...Air Conditioning Question

[Satellite72]

Two questions I'd like to ask... After having fixed all of my electrical demons, I'm finally ready to install my carb/intake and am going to replace the water pump while I'm at it. Since my 72 Satellite has an air conditioning unit, it looks like I'll have to remove the compressor in order to change out the other equipment (that is unless one of you knows another trick to get away from that). The A/C hasn't been used in 10+ years because of low R12, however just to make sure it would work I jumped the low pressure switch for a minute causing the compressor clutch to kick in, and it did. For my first question... If removed, I am faced with a decision when getting it back together of recharging with some R12 that my father-in-law has half a tank of or converting it to R134a. Just curious what you guys would do? My other question deals with the R134a conversion. I've read on another thread that "seals" have to be replaced when going from R12 to R134a due to higher pressures... are we talking about replacing seals located at each compression fitting or something inside the compressor? Thanks Guys!

 

[Meep-Meep]

If you have access to R12 then use it. Make sure the oil in the compressor is at the proper level (maybe change it) and you may want to do a basic system maintenance while you're at it. Get a new receiver dryer and do a leak check on the whole system. That's my $.02 anyway.

 

[SureGrip]

I 'think' the seals for the 134-A conversion are at the filter/dryer and where the lines connect to the compressor. You also need to replace the 'schrader-style' valves to allow the fittings for the 134-A charging equipment to fit. I have never done it, but from what I gather, it's very easy to do.

 

[ChgrSteve67]

Take it to an AC shop, have them replace the Dryer and recharge the system with R12.

Will be easier and cheeper in the long run.

 

[happyjackdaddy54]

ALL seals need to be changed if you want to do it right. Be sure to add dye for future diagnosis with leaks. Change receiver/dryer also. Make sure oil level is correct.

 

[Clay Dots]

I changed to r-134

On my challenger because it was leaking out and costing me about $100-120 a season for r-12, R -12 is very expensive and hard to find now. I had the ac shop do the change and I have never looked back. best wishes CD:tied up: