1979 AC Question
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1979 AC Question
I just bought my first corvette..!979,is good condition.The ac does not work,missing belt.Was told the compressor engages..Any ideas what I might expect to repair.Could be as simple as new belt and Freon..Pls advise best/worst case costs to expect..Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
I hate to tell you this.... but in my experience the belt is missing for a reason. If the AC locks it will throw the belt. And if you have power steering the easiest way to fix the problem so you can drive the car home is to cut the AC belt. So... I'll bet you anything if you just add a belt the compressor throws it and you will quickly see why the belt was missing. 
Not sure how a 79 is different from a 70.... but... The AC is the most expensive non-essential item on a car to repair. I just did my 1970 and here is what it took in parts
Compresseror kit $650
AC Belt $25
Expansion Valve Kit $200 (replaces PVR valve)
Receiver Dryer $60
AC R134a Retro Fittings $20
Freon $80
Add about $400 to have all the work done by a professional shop.
I would say mine was about worst case as just about everything is now new. I also replaced the PS and Alt belts with high quality belts while I was doing it as the extra effort was nothing. That added another $50 for new belts.
Bottom line about $1500 worst case if you have it all done professionally.
Not sure how a 79 is different from a 70.... but... The AC is the most expensive non-essential item on a car to repair. I just did my 1970 and here is what it took in parts
Compresseror kit $650
AC Belt $25
Expansion Valve Kit $200 (replaces PVR valve)
Receiver Dryer $60
AC R134a Retro Fittings $20
Freon $80
Add about $400 to have all the work done by a professional shop.
I would say mine was about worst case as just about everything is now new. I also replaced the PS and Alt belts with high quality belts while I was doing it as the extra effort was nothing. That added another $50 for new belts.
Bottom line about $1500 worst case if you have it all done professionally.
Last edited by Iceaxe; Sep 5, 2014 at 06:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Had mine done on my 79 over the summer. Started with the old R12 system, Updated to R134a with rebuilt compressor (which I dont recommend). Cost for me around 600.00 in south Georgia. First Compressor crapped out before I got home second is still working well.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
Congrats on buying your C3. 
Before starting on anything too in depth, I suggest picking up a few books for reference. They'll be invaluable for your build. For a list of recommended books to purchase, see this thread.
Another suggestion would be to go through the car and find out what parts are missing, damaged and/or will need replaced. Make a spreadsheet listing those parts, as well as various vendors and their prices. That way you'll make sure you're getting a decent price on the part, and can possibly bundle thing together for shipping.
Welcome to the madness.
Before starting on anything too in depth, I suggest picking up a few books for reference. They'll be invaluable for your build. For a list of recommended books to purchase, see this thread.
Another suggestion would be to go through the car and find out what parts are missing, damaged and/or will need replaced. Make a spreadsheet listing those parts, as well as various vendors and their prices. That way you'll make sure you're getting a decent price on the part, and can possibly bundle thing together for shipping.
Welcome to the madness.
