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1981 a/c upgrade

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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 11:05 AM
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Default 1981 a/c upgrade

Hello everybody. Looking a sweet ‘81 that needs the air conditioning upgrade/retrofit. Any ideas what this will cost?

Thanks!

Joe
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 02:46 PM
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CFC 134A kits are available...mostly fittings and Schrader valves.... less than $60

The difficulty is purging the entire system from Pag oil to Ester oil...which requires cleaning the whole system and blowing the cleaner out.
Removing all oil from the compressor, and replacing it with the correct amount of oil (small amount into the compressor and the rest) for the whole system. This is the same AMOUNT of oil as the original R-12.

Replacing the receiver dryer is a must!

So I'll estimate $150 in parts and about 4 hours labor.


unkahal
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 03:31 PM
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FWIW: any automotive AC shop can service and test your existing system.
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 08:55 PM
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Using the search engine I found good info on upgrading my ‘81’s compressor (which i’ve had rebuilt twice and failed again), to a Sanyo(spelling). This requires a new condenser to work with today’s refrigerants. I ran out of time this summer to do it but next year!

Last edited by John Ulrich; Oct 17, 2019 at 08:56 PM.
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by John Ulrich
Using the search engine I found good info on upgrading my ‘81’s compressor (which i’ve had rebuilt twice and failed again), to a Sanyo(spelling). This requires a new condenser to work with today’s refrigerants. I ran out of time this summer to do it but next year!
These A/C compressors are trash. They just don' t last. I would like a Sanden, but keep the rest stock.
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