nutsy

SHOULD I DO IT? I have a 71 BB that had a frame off 7 years ago. AC compressor was rebuilt and kept with the R12. it comes out warm so it needs a charge. R 12 is obviously hard to find.
so should I do the R 134 conversion? I mean I know I probably don't have a choice. only thing is I was reading that I may end up having the hoses leak and possible O ring damage. others told me there is no problem doing the oil conversion.
would appreciate opinions from you guys who have done this and is it something easy enough to do myself?
thanks all and have a great holiday.Nutsy

Nowhere Man

R12 is easy to find around here. from what I read R134 is the one getting hard to find.

zwede

I converted my '71 BB to R134a a long time ago. Never had a problem with leaks but at first it didn't cool well. Vent temps in the 50's. I have a POA valve I got from NAPA 20 years ago that is adjustable and adjusting it helped a lot. I then noticed high side pressure was on the high side and it struggled in hot weather indicating the stock condenser wasn't suited for R134a. I swapped it for a modern parallel flow condenser and that got the pressure down. Finally I swapped the A6 compressor for a Sanden but that was more for weight savings and ease of working on the engine (it's much smaller).

Final result is a pretty good AC system that works better than stock but it wasn't as easy as just filling it with R134a. In contrast I converted a '83 Cadillac as well and didn't have to do anything else but fill it with R134a. The Caddy had no problems blowing very cold with everything else factory. Difference is the C3 AC was marginal to begin with and the Caddy AC was over designed.

71 Green 454

Are you stating that you just pulled a vacuum and filled your Caddy AC with R134a? Or did you do more than that?

zwede

Exactly. I used one of those cheap conversion kits that have the adapter fittings and special oil. Pulled a vacuum, filled with R134a and it blew in the low 40's out the vents. When I sold the car 5 years later it still worked.

Hammerhead Fred

Here's a well written article that explains your options and will also eliminate alot of the rumors on this topic.
Along about paragraph 13 you'll find a good summary on how to move forward.
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...ts-and-the-law

mortgageguy

I think it's cheaper to find/repair the leak and recharge with R12. Unless the condenser is the leak. Less replacement of parts and less labor cost.

nutsy

thanks for the link Hammerhead. lots of info. and thanks to all that replied. I think im going to make some calls to some local shops to see if any have R12 and cost to charge if they do. if not I will see what they say about the 134 conversion.
my compressor was rebuilt about 7 years ago along with rest of car so hopefully theres nothing too wrong with it and it will hold whatever goes in for a while.

John Ulrich

After 25 years with no air I looking into bringing it back to life...Thanks for the info!

JETS C3-C4

This information link was posted on I believe the C4 forum a several days ago in regards to adding 134a to R12 system. Interesting read.

http://www.livjones.com/2014/05/can-...-134a-yes.html

mrvette

Link loads for an instant then some stupid pix replaces it.....tried several times.....desktop and FF browser....

platinummaker

Zwede can you tell me where you found the parallel flow condenser for your 71? I’ve been looking for one for my 72 and have come up null and void.
Many thanks. Dave

JETS C3-C4

Hmmmm ???? I just tried the link in both your post and mine and it came up with the correct info. Not sure why it did not come up correct for you.

I am not real tech smart to come up with any answer. Sorry

71 Green 454

Same thing happened to me using FF, I tried it with Windows Edge and it works.