Vintage Air Question?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Vintage Air Question?
Details:
I installed a 75 non-air system several years ago including the fan belt to the a/c compressor, but haven’t charged the system yet and have driven the car approximately 1000 miles.
Question;
Even though the a/c clutch has never engaged (no freon in the system), and I’ve read that the Vintage Air Sanden compressor, comes pre- charged with pag oil, will driving (running the motor) with the a/c belt on, cause any damage to any part of the a/c system?
I’m thinking of charging the system myself but first want to:
1. Double check my installation.
2. Purchase a proper a/c electric vacuum pump, rather than the air operated harbor freight one I purchased as I don't think it's up to the task.
I installed a 75 non-air system several years ago including the fan belt to the a/c compressor, but haven’t charged the system yet and have driven the car approximately 1000 miles.
Question;
Even though the a/c clutch has never engaged (no freon in the system), and I’ve read that the Vintage Air Sanden compressor, comes pre- charged with pag oil, will driving (running the motor) with the a/c belt on, cause any damage to any part of the a/c system?
I’m thinking of charging the system myself but first want to:
1. Double check my installation.
2. Purchase a proper a/c electric vacuum pump, rather than the air operated harbor freight one I purchased as I don't think it's up to the task.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,658
Likes: 2,470
From: Indiana
should not hurt a thing if not engaging.
do not use air vacuum.
robinair amazon or even harbor freight should do the job. i like robinaire even with made in china now..
vacuum overnight to be sure it holds..or.. dry compressed air to pressure test then vacuum
also be sure to add enough oil to system .. the oil in compressor may only be for that not the system.. triple check
do not use air vacuum.
robinair amazon or even harbor freight should do the job. i like robinaire even with made in china now..
vacuum overnight to be sure it holds..or.. dry compressed air to pressure test then vacuum
also be sure to add enough oil to system .. the oil in compressor may only be for that not the system.. triple check
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Thanks for the replies;
interpon;
I hope you're right in that it hasn't and won't cause any damage. I'm still wondering if I should remove the belt just as a caution as I don't know when I'll charge the system.
Ok, I won't use air vacuum.
Thanks for the tips on evacuate and recharge. I'm on the lookout for an electric a/c vacuum pump, that I'll probably only use once.
I'll recheck the instructions re pag oil.
Fly skids up!
I've read that some go for a 2 stage pump, any comments on that?
interpon;
I hope you're right in that it hasn't and won't cause any damage. I'm still wondering if I should remove the belt just as a caution as I don't know when I'll charge the system.
Ok, I won't use air vacuum.
Thanks for the tips on evacuate and recharge. I'm on the lookout for an electric a/c vacuum pump, that I'll probably only use once.
I'll recheck the instructions re pag oil.
Fly skids up!
I've read that some go for a 2 stage pump, any comments on that?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1,321
From: Fleming Island, FL
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 120
From: Rock Hill South Carolina
I ran mine with the belt on with no problem. As long as the clutch doesn’t engage the pulley is just freewheeling. I wanted the belt on there to offset the tension from the alternator belt.
The harbor freight air vacuum is crap. I thought I’d save a few bucks but it won’t pull more that 10-15 inches of vacuum at best.
I rented a pump from o’riellys but any of the chain auto parts stores should have an electric vacuum pump as a loaner. I didn’t want to spend that much on a tool I’ll only use a couple times.
The harbor freight air vacuum is crap. I thought I’d save a few bucks but it won’t pull more that 10-15 inches of vacuum at best.
I rented a pump from o’riellys but any of the chain auto parts stores should have an electric vacuum pump as a loaner. I didn’t want to spend that much on a tool I’ll only use a couple times.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Thanks for the replies.
Fly skids up!
So single stage is just fine, thanks.
stevedinino
Well than, I'm guess I wasted money on the air operated vacuum pump.
In Canada, auto parts stores don't rent a/c vacuum pumps. I'll have to purchase one as I don't know anyone that has one. .
Fly skids up!
So single stage is just fine, thanks.
stevedinino
Well than, I'm guess I wasted money on the air operated vacuum pump.
In Canada, auto parts stores don't rent a/c vacuum pumps. I'll have to purchase one as I don't know anyone that has one. .
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 120
From: Rock Hill South Carolina
Originally Posted by Maymyvetteliveforevr;[url=tel:1605373382
1605373382[/url]]
In Canada, auto parts stores don't rent a/c vacuum pumps. .
In Canada, auto parts stores don't rent a/c vacuum pumps. .
I was told you needed to get close to 30 inches of vac to do the job right (I.e. boiling off any moisture in the system), but maybe that’s overkill and the air vac is adequate. Any AC experts out there know how deep a vacuum is really required?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
