C3 AC-conversion for R12 ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
C3 AC-conversion for R12 ?
Hello all, I recently replaced a bearing in my 77's AC compressor because it was making noise a couple years back when I used it last. For the past couple of years, I have just not used the AC (I actually just removed the belt so it would not turn the pulley). Anyway, after recently replacing the bearing, the air blows hot although the clutch does kick in and turns the compressor. I obviously need to recharge the system. Does anyone know if there is a "drop in" replacement for the R12 without having to install a conversion kit to the system? I have contemplated replacing the compressor etc., to convert over to the R134A, but if there is a exact replacement for the R12, I would rather go that route to get it back up and running at a lower cost.
Thanks
Thanks
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Manchester NH
Hello all, I recently replaced a bearing in my 77's AC compressor because it was making noise a couple years back when I used it last. For the past couple of years, I have just not used the AC (I actually just removed the belt so it would not turn the pulley). Anyway, after recently replacing the bearing, the air blows hot although the clutch does kick in and turns the compressor. I obviously need to recharge the system. Does anyone know if there is a "drop in" replacement for the R12 without having to install a conversion kit to the system? I have contemplated replacing the compressor etc., to convert over to the R134A, but if there is a exact replacement for the R12, I would rather go that route to get it back up and running at a lower cost.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
R12 is still available to licensed AC technicians. If you want to convert to R134a, there are several do it yourself kits. Any competent automative AC shop can also do the conversion for you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
Thanks guys. I usually try to do as much as I can myself to save some $$$$'s which is why I was hoping there was a "drop in" refrigerant that I could buy myself and recharge the AC. I will do some checking around to see if any of the local shops in my area still have R12 and see what it will cost me. My guess is that the R12 won't be cheap, but with the heat we have had this summer, I gotta get that AC fixed so I can enjoy the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
I converted mine to R-134 in 2010. I did it so that I could get it charged/serviced anywhere, anytime....like in the middle of a road trip.
It will drop the temps 40-45 degrees depending on the outside temperature. I also switched many other items in the system to wring as much performance from it as I could.
Good Luck
It will drop the temps 40-45 degrees depending on the outside temperature. I also switched many other items in the system to wring as much performance from it as I could.
Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
I have been buying my R12 on craigslist for as low as $10 dollars a can from individuals and not needing the licence. They used to sell a substitute called freeze 12 but I have not seen it on sale for awhile. You mentioned your clutch is kicking in so you may not be have a refrigerant problem since your low pressure switch is not disengaging the compressor. Can you see any bubbles or any refrigerant movement in the sight glass on your right fender well?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 477
From: NM
Thanks guys. I usually try to do as much as I can myself to save some $$$$'s which is why I was hoping there was a "drop in" refrigerant that I could buy myself and recharge the AC. I will do some checking around to see if any of the local shops in my area still have R12 and see what it will cost me. My guess is that the R12 won't be cheap, but with the heat we have had this summer, I gotta get that AC fixed so I can enjoy the car.
Tom...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,499
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
The shop that's worked on our `73 said as long as all the components worked, don't change. They also said that R12 simply "cools better"- it was available locally and that's what we're running.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
I have been buying my R12 on craigslist for as low as $10 dollars a can from individuals and not needing the licence. They used to sell a substitute called freeze 12 but I have not seen it on sale for awhile. You mentioned your clutch is kicking in so you may not be have a refrigerant problem since your low pressure switch is not disengaging the compressor. Can you see any bubbles or any refrigerant movement in the sight glass on your right fender well?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
Is anyone familiar with Duracool 12a ? A company in Canada makes this stuff. My brother called and talked to them yesterday and was told that this stuff is an exact drop in for R12. Just curious is anyone has heard of this stuff and or has used it?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Throw the gauges on the system and see if there is any pressure diffenential between the high and low side. It sounds like your compressor has internally failed. If you do have a failed compressor you are going to have to replace the orifice tube which catches all the compressor trash and I would flush out the system and put a new acumulator on it. The accumulator and orifice tube are pretty cheap its a pain in the butt to get that accumulator out on the 77's. I have not heard of the duracool 12a but like I mentioned check the availibility of real r12 on craigslist and also found it plentiful for sale at automotive swap meets.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 477
From: NM
http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/snap/ref.../macssubs.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 912
Likes: 52
From: Mech. pa
With a conversion from r-12 you lose cooling capacity, about a 1/2 ton.I used to do refrigeration and have about 80 pounds of r-12. One 50 lb cylinder never open and a 50 lb that I have used from.If you buy a cylinder that has a black valve it may not be virgin refrigerant, if it has a green valve it has a check valve so you cannot recover refrigerant back into that cylinder. If you can buy r-12 for $10.00 that is the way I would go. For a restoration yes use 12. Before recharging get a vacuum pump. Pump system down. Break the vacuum with nitrogen, pump down again, break vacuum with nitrogen. then pump down and recharge. Assuming you have not found a leak while pumping system down.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: meas az
I have been buying my R12 on craigslist for as low as $10 dollars a can from individuals and not needing the licence. They used to sell a substitute called freeze 12 but I have not seen it on sale for awhile. You mentioned your clutch is kicking in so you may not be have a refrigerant problem since your low pressure switch is not disengaging the compressor. Can you see any bubbles or any refrigerant movement in the sight glass on your right fender well?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 185
Likes: 10
From: S W pa. pa
I got mine working with a product called Envirosafe. (Google it) Some members here may not agree, but it worked for me. I replaced the hoses and O rings, removed the V I R and cleaned out all the yuck. Got a rebuild kit from NAPA, (service kit no.208517) No problems in 3 years.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 477
From: NM
I did a search on the EPA site for Envirosafe and it appears that Envirosafe is R22a intended for use in industrial a/c systems and is a butane blend.
Wonder why a two year old thread was brought back to life
Tom...
Wonder why a two year old thread was brought back to life
Tom...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
I got mine working with a product called Envirosafe. (Google it) Some members here may not agree, but it worked for me. I replaced the hoses and O rings, removed the V I R and cleaned out all the yuck. Got a rebuild kit from NAPA, (service kit no.208517) No problems in 3 years.
Last edited by Wrecked82; Nov 22, 2014 at 06:22 PM.