I took my '75 to a local shop to get the A/C repaired. They diagnoised that it needs a new hose set and a new drier, (accumulator / VIR).

However, I am having a heck of a time getting these parts. I have gone to Willcox's website; Vollunteer Vette website; Eckler's website and called Corvette Central,...no luck. No one has these parts listed.

I have called Advanced Auto Parts and Auto Zone,...no luck.

Surely these parts are not that rare!!!

I have found them on eBay,..but the pictures don't look like my parts,..so I'm scared to buy.

If I finally get the parts,..is this a job that I can do myself at home?

 

Hang tight someone here will reply with some good info. for you . I find it very hard to believe that these parts are not available somewhere . Sometimes a local mom and pop auto parts store can lead you in the right direction . If someone will take the time to help you they can do a computer search and I am sure something will pop up . Good luck .

 

I got mine from advance auto a few years back , but I could have had them made at the repair shop for ac and radiators.

 

I just bought a complete new system at Oreilly this week, I didn't get the hose but he can get it for $80. I have a 78 though.

 

Another good source is www.rockauto.com

 

Bair's Corvettes has the hose listed - http://www.bairscorvette.com/c3achoses.html

You can get a kit with O rings and desiccant to rebuild the VIR

 

I bought the VIR desiccant bag which included the large O-Ring from Advance. I think it was $20 bucks. Also buy an a/c O-Ring assortment kit, they're cheap.

I bought the hose set from Autopartstomorrow.com. It was AC Delco and exactly the same as my '75's original. Price was right around $100 bucks with free shipping. And when they say tomorrow, they really mean it. It was on my doorstep the next morning.

I don't know why you're having a hard time finding the hose set. I put 15-30556 in Google and there's a never ending list of places that sell it..

 

Was the desiccant bag and O-rings for the drier hard to install / rebuild?

 

You can do most of it yourself but it's a royal pain the *** like most **** poor designed things on the C3.
You can't access the VIR from the top. There is a small filler panel under the car which you'll need to remove. You'll need a long extension to remove the bolts and separate the bowl. Good luck with loosening the lines to replace the small o-rings. You can access some areas by reaching through the fender "gill". The large top o-ring didn't come with the desiccant kit, if it's leaking you should be able to source one from any local auto parts store.

To remove the condenser side fitting, you're supposed to remove the hood. I unbolted that side from the hinge and was able to tilt the hood enough to gain access.
Coat all new o-rings with refrigeration oil before installing.

You'll need to have the system evacuated before charging it. Unless you have a vacuum pump, that's the part you'll need to pay someone to do. The old compressor can be an issue at this point. It has a mechanical seal that's used to being under pressure. When you pull a vacuum, that old seal with often leak. I pull the belt and manually rotate the shaft back and forth. Moving the outer pulley won't do anything as it won't be engaged. If you're lucky it'll seal up and you can pull a good vacuum.
When you start to add refrigerant, you'll most likely get a leak from pressure pushing in the opposite direction. Rotate again and it should seal up.
If you're going with a new compressor, non of that will be an issue.

 

this co. may have some of the parts you need, may be better to put in a VIR eliminator kit.
http://www.classicautoair.com/GM_OEM...s.html#suction

http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/

 

Try Paragon https://www.paragoncorvette.com/c-22...g-cooling.aspx. The catalog I have here, shows about every A/C part you may need.

 

Might want to leave this to the pros. Unless you are a certified HVAC technician, it's against the law to vent R-12 into the atmosphere.

 

Isn't it against the law for certified HVAC technicians to do that as well?

 

Probably. My bad.

 

Update; I went on line to Corvette America and it indicated they had all the parts in stock. So I placed the order nad paid for over night shipping. I was planning on taking the parts to the local mechanic for installation and charging on Monday.

To my dismay,..i received an email about an hour later saying teh parts were NOT in stock,..they were back orderd and hoped to be able to ship within the next couple of weeks.

Why are these parts so scarce? All 1973 thru early 1976 used these same parts. Does no one have cold A/C on mid year rubber bumper cars??? OR am I the only one whose A/C is broken?

Very frustrating!!!!

 

No one can do it legally.

 

That's what I thought, just doing a language check.

 

sounds like you'll get it fixed by first snow fall

 

Nope... the AC for our '77 came in a couple of plastic tubs. Wish we had it now when it's 110 outside.

 

Mine has not put out cold air for at least 10 years. Why bother with one more $$$ when I usually drive with the T-tops off anyway.