A/C problem (suction trottle valve)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Brandon MS
A/C problem (suction trottle valve)
What is the little vacuum swithch on the side of the Suction trottle valve on a 66 vette with A/C? Mine is leaking freon though the vacuum line to the intake. Does the Suction trottle valve update kit from ZIP or Eckler's come with it?
PLEASE HELP!!!!!
PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 621
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From: dripping springs tx
Re: A/C problem (C60VETTE)
The little vacumm valve is called a absolute valve I believe. Has to do with the altitude I believe. I am in the process of replacing the existing system. My 66 came with factory air. The stv valve piston and diaphram was bad. the absolute valve leaked. I went ahead and ordered a conversation kit from Old Air Products for $72.00 I think. Using this kit eliminates the diaphram/piston and valve. It is a plate that you install in the stv.I left the valve on the stv valve. It looked original when I put it back in. It comes with a compressor cycling relay that you need to install. This is the only thing that you may see that it is not original. All hardware comes in the kit including the o rings.
I have replaced the compressor back to an A6 and replaced the drier and all o rings for 134A refrigerate. I am going ahead and convert it to the new freon. They say there is some cooling lose but I will see. Cost of r12 is out of site. The drier,compressor, conversion kit were bought through Old Air Products. You can visit the web on them.
I have replaced the compressor back to an A6 and replaced the drier and all o rings for 134A refrigerate. I am going ahead and convert it to the new freon. They say there is some cooling lose but I will see. Cost of r12 is out of site. The drier,compressor, conversion kit were bought through Old Air Products. You can visit the web on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Re: A/C problem (Veet 66)
Tha A-C shop replaced my 66 STV with a cheaper available Delco 67 POA refrigerant control valve, 5910667. Works fine for the last 14 years. A Goodyear store did an emergency replacement of the small thermostatic expansion valve - on a road tour about 5 years ago. The valve was cheap. The freon was 3 times as much at Goodyear as it is at my Chevy dealer.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Brandon FL
Re: A/C problem (Veet 66)
I have replaced the compressor back to an A6 and replaced the drier and all o rings for 134A refrigerate. I am going ahead and convert it to the new freon. They say there is some cooling lose but I will see. Cost of r12 is out of site. The drier,compressor, conversion kit were bought through Old Air Products. You can visit the web on them.
You can improve cooling even more by changing the front condensor to one for 134. You can tell them apart as they have three times the cooling fins as a stock one. These condensers are readily available from several aftermarket air companies. We have a great one here in Tampa called Classic Auto Air.
[Modified by joevette57, 8:57 AM 5/17/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Re: A/C problem (joevette57)
Let us know how the newfreon works out. I still use r12, to maximize cooling capability. With a navy blue top on a roadster, I need all the A-C that I can get. :lurk:
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: dripping springs tx
Re: A/C problem (magicv8)
Just finished installing the new A6 compressor. Adding the new oil and drier. I completed the retrofit on the stv valve. Waiting on the freon lines and a couple of conections from RI Corvettes. Should be here tomorrow. If you change refrigerates you will have to replace all of the o rings, oil, drier. :smash: :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Re: A/C problem (joevette57)
I just came accross this thread and read where some are retrofitting to R134A freon. Before you make the change I would like to suggest a alternative called Freeze 12. I have garage customers who swear by Freeze 12. I have used it myself with great results. The makers of Freeze 12 claim and so have my customers that cars they retrofit to Freeze 12 are colder then when retrofitting with R134A. The great thing about using Freeze 12 is that you can still use your R-12 set of gauges and not have to purchase a set of R134A Gauges. I was also told that if your a/c is down that adding a can or two of Freeze 12 to the R-12 system works fine and won't hurt the system. I have been selling both R134A and Freeze 12 freon to the trade since they have both been introduced. The cost of Freeze 12 is just a little bit more than the cost of R134A but nowhere near the price of R-12.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Brandon MS
Re: A/C problem (C60VETTE)
Thanks for the help. I just order a new suction trottle valve update kit, expansion valve, O-ring kit, and drier. I will be using R12 because I have a 30lbs. tank of the stuff. Should have it going in about two weeks.
Thanks,
MIKE
Thanks,
MIKE
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Re: A/C problem (C60VETTE)
Mike I don't know how you store your 30 lb container of R-12 or how long you have had it since they don't manufacture it anymore. My own experience with it being I have sold the stuff for the last 25 years is to store 30 lbers on their side instead of straight up to keep the inner seals lubricated in the container to help stop leaks. 30 lb containers unlike the 12oz cans of R-12 tend to leak out over the years. I remember in the late 70's and early 80's selling 30 lb containers for around $25-$29 per container. At those prices containers didn't sit on pallets very long so we just left them sitting up but I always had a couple of containers that leaked all of its contents out right through the valve and being there were maybe 40 containers on a pallet it seemed like it was always one of the last ones on the pallet that leaked out. We were advised to store them on their side to avoid leaks and it seemed to work and at todays prices or if you just happen to have some old product why take the chance. Just a little advice to anyone who still has R-12. :cool:
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 621
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From: dripping springs tx
Re: A/C problem (ffas23)
Where can you buy the freeze 12? I am ready to charge up my a/c. Has a new exp valve, drier, compressor, all new orings compatible to all refrigerants. Was going to 134a. I understand that freeze 12 runs a lower head pressure than 134a which would be good. I also heard that freeze 12 and all refrigerants including r12 can not be mixed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Re: A/C problem (Veet 66)
(Veet 66) You should be able to purchase Freeze 12 at any parts store. If they don't carry it they should be able to get it for you. As far as mixing Freeze 12 with R-12 they do tell you not to mix them but I sell quite a few service stations that have been adding Freeze 12 to R12 systems for years without any problems. Myself I would just use one or the other. Make sure you vacuum the system well before adding refrigerant. The freon will go in much easier plus you want to get as much moisture out of the system as possible. Its always good to start with a new dryer and I see you are smart in doing that but make sure you don't expose the new dryer to the elements for to long. In other words don't take the plugs out until you are ready to use it. :cool:
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: dripping springs tx
Re: A/C problem (ffas23)
I found a a/c shop that sells freeze12. They told me it has been around for some time. Don"t know why I never have hear of it. Thanks for the tip. I am evacuating the system now. I will charge over the weekend. Also was told to use 10% less of freeze 12. They also swear it gets alot colder.Some people are using it as an add to their system that uses r12. Another good point they made was the head pressure runs lower. I don't need to add more heat to the radiator. I'll let you know how it works.
Thanks again for the help.
:seeya
Thanks again for the help.
:seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Re: A/C problem (Veet 66)
(Veet 66) Its hard to tell how much freon you are putting in the system when using a 30 lb container with just a set of gauges so I just sit in the car with a a/c therm. in one of the cooling ducts until I feel its cold enough. They say to go about 10% less when using Freeze 12 or R134a. Using 12 oz cans is easier for the person with just a set of gauges. Usually 3-3-1/2 cans per system usally does the trick. You could always add more if you need it. Good luck! :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Re: A/C problem (C60VETTE)
(C60VETTE) You are right about using the sight glass and checking for air bubbles until they are gone. This works great as long as your vehicle has a sight glass to look at but not all cars have them so this makes for a problem when using a 30lb container when filling the system. Myself I would rather use 12oz cans so that I have a better idea of how much I am putting into the system. Other then that with a 30lb container and no sight glass you have to rely on your judgement using an a/c thermometer in one of the a/c ducts if you use a set of R-12 gauges by themselve. My C-2 doesn't have a/c so I don't know whether they came equipped with a sight glass. I would think they did from being familiar with other GM cars that had them until the early 70's. My C-3 has a/c and I have had to add to the system a few times since owning the 73 Coupe since 1981 but never noticed a sight glass on that system. :cool:
