Does anyone know who might sell a R134 evaporater that fits in our C-3's?

Also, has anyone who has this system heard of dropping in a little R-22 to make it more efficient? Would it damage anything?

 

The stock evaporator works fine with R134a. Never heard of adding R22.

 

i had my origional a/c equiptment retrofitted to run r-134 they had to change o rings and different compressor oil ,but as far as i know that was about it and the 134 freon,,works fine

 

I retro'ed my '81 to R134 with no problems. A/C didn't work when I bought the car. I put in a new condenser (had a hole in it), new lines, drier/accumulator, compressor. Still has the original evaporator in it. Ice cold!
Darryl

 

Cool, thanks all. I'll try it like that.

I think the idea behind a small amount of R-22 is to reduce head pressure (or whatever you call it in automotive A/C, I only know industrial HVAC) to reduce drag and produce cooler air. I've heard of people doing it and I know the two are compatible, I worry about the long term effects on the compressor.

Thanks again

 

What is R-22? Have not heard of it. HCFC-22, yes, but not R-22.

EDIT: okay, checked out the EPA site for R-22 and see that it is one of the refregrents being phased out by the Montreal Protocol.

tom...

 

r-22 is the refrig used in home a/c condensing units----- i have a can and used to recharge my old condensing unit,, until i replaced it and the lines and the ''a'' coil 4 yrs ago--------------------r-12 was used in household refrigerators,, a friend worked for a home appiance co,,he worked on refrigerators ,,so i used to call him and he used it in my older cars ,,now i have everyone in the house using 134,,bought a bunch of it real cheap

 

When you add R22 to R134a, you are producing a different refrigerant with unknown properties.

Never use straight R22--it'll work fantastic until the high pressure relief bursts...


Use R409a: R-409A is a low ozone depleting blend of R-22, R-124, and R-142b. It works better than R-12 and uses the same kind of oil--it's been in my '77 (with original coils, lines, and VIR) for 3 years. I have glass T-tops and I still can freeze my bottom in the Summer.

FYI: I used to design & build ultracold refrigeration systems; I am a refrigeration - a/c expert. I earned my living for 15 years doing refrigeration-a/c work.

(I did change my profession to commercial fashion/glamour photography--it's way cooler!)

 

Photo, thanks. Where can I get R-409? I assume that it calls for the R-134 orifice, ect? I bought a new Sanden compressor in 134.

 

so what your sayin is we 134 guys can top off our systems with r-409a? or just the r-12 guys??

 

i bought a kit from jc whitney about three years ago,that updated the refrigerant to 134 and oil on my 76, without changing anything. i still have nice cold air and no problems. the kit cost around $29.00 but if you live in wi you will need to ship to another state
rodesmg

 

There is no direct drop-in replacement for R12--that is, there's nothing you can add to your existing R12 to top it off.

What R409a is, is a replacement for R12 that is compatable with R12 oil and equipment. All you have to do is pump out the R12 and add the R409a. My EEVIR a/c vent temperature is now in the lower 40's--best case before was 54F from the factory.

R409a has a lower head pressure and greater heat carrying capacity than R12 and R134a.

I have found that R409a works best on pre-78 systems (VIR) and R414b works best on 78 and above system.

R-414b is also call Hotshot and can be bought in 12oz cans.

R-409b can only be bought in 15lb cylinders--it's about $125.00.
This seems like a lot until you figure what it would cost to take your car in for a/c service.

Both can be charged using the standard a/c fittings and service hoses--no special adaptors like R-134a.

Be aware that R-134a is being phased out rapidlly under the Kayoto Treaty. While the US is not a signer, I imagine the refrigerant companies will start jacking up the price and availabilty fairly soon.

The only reason I'm not a fan of R-134a, is that is is less efficient than R12. Geeze, you wouldn't replace your 'vette's motor with a less powerful one would'ya?!

 

your right,but at the time a lot of us did the 134 changeover it was $3.00 a can!! heck i have 5 cars so thats a deal,,4of them take r-134- there playing game to get the price up on 134 now, cuz no one will buy r 12-and the same things gonna happen when people stop buying 134

 

I have R134a in my 82 Vette right now. What do you think would be needed to change from 134a to R414b? Is it a full evac and refill along with a change in fittings? Can you use the r134 fittings with r414b refill cans?

 

134 is now going for 12.99 a 1 lb can-------1-1/2 lb can is 13.99-----2-1/2lb can is 24.99-so it went up 400% in the last year(was 3.00 a can)-----when you compare it to r-12 its still a bargain,,

 

I hadn't priced R134a recently--wow--seems I was right.

Anyhow, both R409a and R414b is compatable with R134a oil. So, dump the R134a, vacuum the system, and recharge--takes about 3 pounds.

The R134a fittings that were put on, will screw right off showing the original fittings. All you need is a hose and a snap around can piercer.

 

OK, I have a stock system except for the Sanden compressor set up for 134a. I did that to facilitate the ls-1 conversion, not to get 134. Which refrigerant, oil and fittings should I use?