question on '78 AC system
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
question on '78 AC system
ok, I really wanted to avoid fooling with the AC system on this project but I may not have a choice here......
It's the stock factory AC system on my '78 L82. it's an R12 system.
It turns out I may have to open the system to remove the condensor on the front of the radiator so I can get the rad core support out of the car.
A few questions since I know nothing about AC systems:
1. where is the best place and method of opening the system to let the pressure out?
2. i know the R12 has gotten very hard to find and is expensive (one of the reasons I wanted to try and avoid doing this) but is it going to be possible at all to still find a place to recharge the system again afterwards with R12 and anyone know a rough cost to do it I should expect?
3. any particular issues or problems I should expect to encounter by opening the system?
Originally the idea was I would just leave the system intact and lay the compressor on the side of the engine bay when pulling the motor out than clean the engine bay around it best I could but now it seems I need to get the rad core support out so that will require also removing the condensor so the original plan looks like it's shot to sh*t. Am I opening up a can or worms I should really just avoid by doing this or is it not as big of a deal that I'm thinking it is afterall?
It's the stock factory AC system on my '78 L82. it's an R12 system.
It turns out I may have to open the system to remove the condensor on the front of the radiator so I can get the rad core support out of the car.
A few questions since I know nothing about AC systems:
1. where is the best place and method of opening the system to let the pressure out?
2. i know the R12 has gotten very hard to find and is expensive (one of the reasons I wanted to try and avoid doing this) but is it going to be possible at all to still find a place to recharge the system again afterwards with R12 and anyone know a rough cost to do it I should expect?
3. any particular issues or problems I should expect to encounter by opening the system?
Originally the idea was I would just leave the system intact and lay the compressor on the side of the engine bay when pulling the motor out than clean the engine bay around it best I could but now it seems I need to get the rad core support out so that will require also removing the condensor so the original plan looks like it's shot to sh*t. Am I opening up a can or worms I should really just avoid by doing this or is it not as big of a deal that I'm thinking it is afterall?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
From: Mooresville NC
Originally Posted by BarryK
1. where is the best place and method of opening the system to let the pressure out?
2. i know the R12 has gotten very hard to find and is expensive (one of the reasons I wanted to try and avoid doing this) but is it going to be possible at all to still find a place to recharge the system again afterwards with R12 and anyone know a rough cost to do it I should expect?
3. any particular issues or problems I should expect to encounter by opening the system?
2. i know the R12 has gotten very hard to find and is expensive (one of the reasons I wanted to try and avoid doing this) but is it going to be possible at all to still find a place to recharge the system again afterwards with R12 and anyone know a rough cost to do it I should expect?
3. any particular issues or problems I should expect to encounter by opening the system?
2. You can find places that have R12. Go back to the place that evacuated the system and see if there is a deal to make. Last I heard it's about $100 or more to fill the system.
3. Usually the system leaks. It would be wise to replace all the o-rings, dryer & orffice tube. Get the system pressure checked for leaks.
4.OR convert to R134A. There's plenty of conversion kits out there.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
well, I can't take the car to an A/C shop because the car isn't drivable currently, unless they can send someone out to me.
yes, I considered converting to R134 but I understanded the converted units don't blow as cold as the original R12. I wasn't aware of the R12A so i'll have to look into it.
yes, I considered converting to R134 but I understanded the converted units don't blow as cold as the original R12. I wasn't aware of the R12A so i'll have to look into it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
ahhhhh, good news I think. i'll know this weekend probably, but I may be able to aquire about 15-20 lbs of R12 and if I can get it the price will be excellent - as in FREE!! 
My step-brother had gotten and was hoarding a bunch of 1lb cans of R12 for his older cars (he collected old Mustangs). Unfortunarely he passed away suddenly a few months back but i called his wife this evening to see if she still had the R12 around or if she got rid of it. She personally hadn't done anything about the stuff and said that if if it was still around it would be in their warehouse so she would check on it this weekend. I told her if she had it it would be like gold to me and i'd buy it. She replied if it's still there she would just give it to me since she wants to clears stuff out of the warehouse anyway.
Man, I HOPE she finds it in there! that would be a real treasure for me right now.
My step-brother had gotten and was hoarding a bunch of 1lb cans of R12 for his older cars (he collected old Mustangs). Unfortunarely he passed away suddenly a few months back but i called his wife this evening to see if she still had the R12 around or if she got rid of it. She personally hadn't done anything about the stuff and said that if if it was still around it would be in their warehouse so she would check on it this weekend. I told her if she had it it would be like gold to me and i'd buy it. She replied if it's still there she would just give it to me since she wants to clears stuff out of the warehouse anyway.
Man, I HOPE she finds it in there! that would be a real treasure for me right now.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by MILO
1. Have it evacuated by an A/C shop.
2. You can find places that have R12. Go back to the place that evacuated the system and see if there is a deal to make. Last I heard it's about $100 or more to fill the system.
3. Usually the system leaks. It would be wise to replace all the o-rings, dryer & orffice tube. Get the system pressure checked for leaks.
4.OR convert to R134A. There's plenty of conversion kits out there.
2. You can find places that have R12. Go back to the place that evacuated the system and see if there is a deal to make. Last I heard it's about $100 or more to fill the system.
3. Usually the system leaks. It would be wise to replace all the o-rings, dryer & orffice tube. Get the system pressure checked for leaks.
4.OR convert to R134A. There's plenty of conversion kits out there.
I still have R12 in mine..local shop has supply...Rich
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