C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A/C compressor questions

Old Apr 8, 2020 | 12:48 PM
  #1  
Jim71Vette's Avatar
Jim71Vette
Thread Starter
Racer
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
Default A/C compressor questions

Does anyone have any experience(good, bad, ugly) with the Pro6ten compressor? Setup for 134a.

Does the condenser need to be changed to a "parallel" type? If so, where can I source one that will use the OEM fittings and lines?

Does the POA need to be adjusted? Can I do this myself or just replace it?

Thanks, Jim
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 03:54 PM
  #2  
L-46man's Avatar
L-46man
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Default

Your existing compressor (if it worked on F-12) will run fine with CFC-134A.

clean system thoroughly (you'll have to do this anyway
Change oil
Replace Receiver dryer, ANYWAY!
clean condensor
add appropriate schrader valves.
evacuate system
re-oil and recharge.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 03:59 PM
  #3  
CMD1's Avatar
CMD1
Advanced
Pro Mechanic
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 74
Likes: 23
From: Villa Rica GA
Default

This is a good article about a retro fit to R-134A in a '71 model.
https://www.corvette-restoration.com...-r12-to-r134a/
I have converted several with stock brass condensers with good results, but a more efficient model is always best.
Tight working space! Just time consuming, not too difficult.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 04:06 PM
  #4  
L-46man's Avatar
L-46man
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Default

The 'not working on CFC134a is a terrible 'myth'.
I have done this numerous times.
My little 'funny furrin car'...they said couldn't be done...with R-12 (F-12) it would run at 38° F on full...after the conversion and optimizing every component (the only replacement was the Receiver/dryer), it would run all day long at 27°=29°F....froze me OUT!

In AZ you don't care that the car is runnin' on 7 cylinders as long as the A/C works!

cheers.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 06:43 PM
  #5  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 2,468
From: Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by L-46man
The 'not working on CFC134a is a terrible 'myth'.
I have done this numerous times.
My little 'funny furrin car'...they said couldn't be done...with R-12 (F-12) it would run at 38° F on full...after the conversion and optimizing every component (the only replacement was the Receiver/dryer), it would run all day long at 27°=29°F....froze me OUT!

In AZ you don't care that the car is runnin' on 7 cylinders as long as the A/C works!

cheers.
or calibrate thermometer ..damn close to my R12 38f

Last edited by interpon; Apr 8, 2020 at 06:43 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 07:00 PM
  #6  
L-46man's Avatar
L-46man
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Default

I got the joke! There is a little 'trick' I learned from a 'fellow old guy' here in AZ. See, originally I was from No.VT..."what do we care about A/C!"

The temperature probe/ bourdon pressure tube/bulb that opens/closes the orifice valve is calibrated at the factory (that builds them) to NEVER allow the system to run below 'say' 36-38° F....otherwise the evaporator core can freeze over in humid weather. I 'remoted' the temp probe about 18" away from the Evap core....NOW IT ROCKS! My little AUDI TT has Climatronic and you can't do that....so it sits at 40° F.....huge difference from the '78 Scirocco that I mentioned above. Especially in those first five minutes!

In AZ we just don't get the humidity enough to matter. Now, if I was in New Orleans...different story.

End of June in AZ = 120° @ 2-5% RH.!!!!!

All temps were with my trusty calibrated THERMOCOUPLE (type K/ yellow) Only Amateurs use thermometers! LOL

Be COOL and BE WELL!

Unkahal
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2020 | 07:58 PM
  #7  
Jim71Vette's Avatar
Jim71Vette
Thread Starter
Racer
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 14
From: GA
Default

The A6 I currently have is toast and is the 2nd or 3rd replacement. Before I replace it again I thought I would ask about the Pro6ten.
I already have a conversion kit(dryer, o-rings, etc ).
Sounds like I don't need a new condenser or POA.







Reply
Old Apr 9, 2020 | 01:40 AM
  #8  
platinummaker's Avatar
platinummaker
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 496
Likes: 153
From: San Francisco Bay Area
Default

Originally Posted by L-46man
I got the joke! There is a little 'trick' I learned from a 'fellow old guy' here in AZ. See, originally I was from No.VT..."what do we care about A/C!"

The temperature probe/ bourdon pressure tube/bulb that opens/closes the orifice valve is calibrated at the factory (that builds them) to NEVER allow the system to run below 'say' 36-38° F....otherwise the evaporator core can freeze over in humid weather. I 'remoted' the temp probe about 18" away from the Evap core....NOW IT ROCKS! My little AUDI TT has Climatronic and you can't do that....so it sits at 40° F.....huge difference from the '78 Scirocco that I mentioned above. Especially in those first five minutes!

In AZ we just don't get the humidity enough to matter. Now, if I was in New Orleans...different story.

End of June in AZ = 120° @ 2-5% RH.!!!!!

All temps were with my trusty calibrated THERMOCOUPLE (type K/ yellow) Only Amateurs use thermometers! LOL

Be COOL and BE WELL!

Unkahal
Could you be kind enough to explain how you did that and if it decreased the temp. I’ve been wrestling with the factory system trying to make it more efficient. Would love for it to drop a few degrees.
Thanks much
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 9, 2020 | 09:07 AM
  #9  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 2,468
From: Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Jim71Vette
The A6 I currently have is toast and is the 2nd or 3rd replacement. Before I replace it again I thought I would ask about the Pro6ten.
I already have a conversion kit(dryer, o-rings, etc ).
Sounds like I don't need a new condenser or POA.
if 'toast' is shrapnel... the entire system needs to be flushed..IMO
also I have heard from many on this forum do not waste time with rebuilds.. I went NAPA with warranty...they do require flush , etc.. its right in the warranty proof of buying...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To A/C compressor questions



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:18 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE