1977 a/c question
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1977 a/c question
I am looking at buying a 1977 Corvette and the A/C unit is all intact and there minus the belt. What is my worse case scenario cost wise to get the A/C working like it should, parts and labor?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,900
Likes: 4,474
From: Virginia
Worst case? Hiring someone to do it, and it needs everything, $2K seems to be the consensus. For that much, you could swap in a Vintage Air system.
What does the rest of the car look like? Have you checked the birdcage for rust?
What does the rest of the car look like? Have you checked the birdcage for rust?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Here is the link to the car, not sure if you have facebook for it to work
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ssenger_banner
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ssenger_banner
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Had my '77 switched over to the new gas, some parts, etc by a certified shop. Condenser and compressor were ok. Cost around $400 for parts / labor.
Your biggest enemy will be a heater control valve competitively letting heat in the cabin. And a blower motor that barely moves the A/C around.
Never did work / cool right. Ended up removing the heavy compressor.
Your biggest enemy will be a heater control valve competitively letting heat in the cabin. And a blower motor that barely moves the A/C around.
Never did work / cool right. Ended up removing the heavy compressor.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,900
Likes: 4,474
From: Virginia
Had my '77 switched over to the new gas, some parts, etc by a certified shop. Condenser and compressor were ok. Cost around $400 for parts / labor.
Your biggest enemy will be a heater control valve competitively letting heat in the cabin. And a blower motor that barely moves the A/C around.
Never did work / cool right. Ended up removing the heavy compressor.
Your biggest enemy will be a heater control valve competitively letting heat in the cabin. And a blower motor that barely moves the A/C around.
Never did work / cool right. Ended up removing the heavy compressor.
So what do you think it would have cost to have fixed the system correctly (with R134A)? Comparable to a Vintage Air system (for comparison purposes, that's $1500-, plus installation).
Last edited by Bikespace; Jun 4, 2020 at 08:55 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,642
Likes: 2,463
From: Indiana
If you do the work yourself 1000 below the price you would pay for the car with working ac...
2000 if someone else does it..
that puts you into the zone of cocern regardless of why he tells you belt is off..
push the schrader valve and see if anything is in it...if so your odds just improved..
2000 if someone else does it..
that puts you into the zone of cocern regardless of why he tells you belt is off..
push the schrader valve and see if anything is in it...if so your odds just improved..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Belt is off because compressor is squealing, or clutch doesn't work, etc. No matter what he tells you.
If hoses were taken off for an radiator or engine removal, and the system was left open, he didn't want to spend money to recharge.
The system does not hold a charge because of leaking seals.
Could even be the console controls are messed up, shorting, etc.
You won't know until you tear the system apart. Have fun!
If hoses were taken off for an radiator or engine removal, and the system was left open, he didn't want to spend money to recharge.
The system does not hold a charge because of leaking seals.
Could even be the console controls are messed up, shorting, etc.
You won't know until you tear the system apart. Have fun!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Wish I never put the money into the A/C at the time, really not needed. A year later found out the heater control valve did more harm than good and put in a manual shut-off. Meanwhile the compressor had been removed. Had $400 into the system.
If I need A/C now, just put windows down, remove T-Tops and drive by a fresh water ocean ( No sharks- No salt)
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jun 5, 2020 at 08:10 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 570
Likes: 43
From: North Carolina
Converted my 77 to R134a last summer. Several parts plus the conversion kit from Zip. Cost right at 600 parts and labor. Worked ok for 3 weeks until compressor blew. New compressor was 299 plus tax and shipping from Zip. It is being installed Monday morning. Estimated installation is 150. So I will be well over a grand as of Monday. HOPEFULLY this fixes it. I do not expect it to freeze my extremities like new car units do. Hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 6
Here is the link to the car, not sure if you have facebook for it to work
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ssenger_banner
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ssenger_banner
don't have a 77 but silver facebook's too high.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 570
Likes: 43
From: North Carolina
Just picked up my 77 from the shop. Compressor install and R134a came to 264. I am now well past 1200 in ac work. Still need a piece of ductwork which ranges from 60 used to 85 new. Then comes the hard part of installing it.