A6 A/C compressor question...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
A6 A/C compressor question...
When I bought my 76, it didn't have the A6 compressor with it.
I have a shot at buying a full A/C setup from a 74 (that had pressure and worked when it was pulled in 96) from a friend.
It was setup for R12.
I have been told that the A6's bearings didn't hold up to converting to R-134.
Is this true? One plus of buying the 74 setup is that all the stuff works. I'm worried about buying a compressor and having to replace the evaporator or the condensor.
Who's been there, what did you do to get A/C, and how'd it work out?
I have a shot at buying a full A/C setup from a 74 (that had pressure and worked when it was pulled in 96) from a friend.
It was setup for R12.
I have been told that the A6's bearings didn't hold up to converting to R-134.
Is this true? One plus of buying the 74 setup is that all the stuff works. I'm worried about buying a compressor and having to replace the evaporator or the condensor.
Who's been there, what did you do to get A/C, and how'd it work out?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Bearings? Bunk
The only thing that matters when you upgrade to 134 is the seals. They must be changed out and lubed with the right oil.
Bearings have nothing to do with it.
The only thing that matters when you upgrade to 134 is the seals. They must be changed out and lubed with the right oil.
Bearings have nothing to do with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Area Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
Bearings? Bunk
The only thing that matters when you upgrade to 134 is the seals. They must be changed out and lubed with the right oil.
Bearings have nothing to do with it.
The only thing that matters when you upgrade to 134 is the seals. They must be changed out and lubed with the right oil.
Bearings have nothing to do with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
You might want to read this thread from about a week ago. Depending on your setup you may not want to go 134a.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...&highlight=r12
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...&highlight=r12
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Been there done that....
dont worry about the A6 compressor
Stick with R12
Blow out the system with shop air and charge with ester oil
Vac it down to see if it will hold and remove moisture.
You will be better off with R12 in a 76 with the VIR then R134a
Trust me on this
dont worry about the A6 compressor
Stick with R12
Blow out the system with shop air and charge with ester oil
Vac it down to see if it will hold and remove moisture.
You will be better off with R12 in a 76 with the VIR then R134a
Trust me on this
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Even though I have the more modern system with an R4 compressor, I stuck with R12. Haven't regretted it. It blows ice cold air even when the thermometer is over 100 degrees outside...good ol' South Texas heat!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Okay, I need to look this up in the books I have, but quick question then...is the VIR the same thing as the drier?
The same guy that told me the A6 wouldn't convert well also told me that the dessicant cantiser (the VIR maybe?) would most likely be bad on my car and I'd need to buy a drier.
For anyone that doesnt' know at this point, I'm completely overhauling my car, it will be a daily driver in Phoenix, AZ in about 3 months (I'm moving from Ohio). I will be living in an apartment, so if I don't fix it now, it won't get fixed until I have a house (1-2 years).
So, I have an air compressor, a local harbor freight that sells the A/C gauging, hoses and vaccum pump, and the willingness to do this right.
Can anyone advise me then? Buy the 74 stuff, the gauges and pump, ester oil, the R12 and new hoses and bolt it up?
I need to make the right decision as the budget is tight. I have the money to do it once and do it right, and those need to be the same try... lol
The same guy that told me the A6 wouldn't convert well also told me that the dessicant cantiser (the VIR maybe?) would most likely be bad on my car and I'd need to buy a drier.
For anyone that doesnt' know at this point, I'm completely overhauling my car, it will be a daily driver in Phoenix, AZ in about 3 months (I'm moving from Ohio). I will be living in an apartment, so if I don't fix it now, it won't get fixed until I have a house (1-2 years).
So, I have an air compressor, a local harbor freight that sells the A/C gauging, hoses and vaccum pump, and the willingness to do this right.
Can anyone advise me then? Buy the 74 stuff, the gauges and pump, ester oil, the R12 and new hoses and bolt it up?
I need to make the right decision as the budget is tight. I have the money to do it once and do it right, and those need to be the same try... lol
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Pete76Shark
Been there done that....
dont worry about the A6 compressor
Stick with R12
Blow out the system with shop air and charge with ester oil
Vac it down to see if it will hold and remove moisture.
You will be better off with R12 in a 76 with the VIR then R134a
Trust me on this
dont worry about the A6 compressor
Stick with R12
Blow out the system with shop air and charge with ester oil
Vac it down to see if it will hold and remove moisture.
You will be better off with R12 in a 76 with the VIR then R134a
Trust me on this
Mine is fine but it cost a fortune to rebuild. I wanted a NEW compressor not reman. I got a NEW Vir valve and all new hoses. It is charged with R12 and blows cold. Only problem is air flow but now that the AC is cold enough, that is a small problem.
All the AC in the world though won't do a thing until you put insulation under the carpet. Even after I rebuilt the AC complete with all new parts and got it cold, the car was still hot after a short 1/2 hour drive.
There was sooooo much ambient heat being built up within the cabin that the ac just could not keep up. Period. Even though all was brand new!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Paul, fill me in on the insulation bit!
I've been reading up on it. I'm looking at 3 digit heat out west, so I need to get it square away, this is a daily driver.
I have some insulation sheet (one side foil) that I got from a friend soundproofing a basement. It is about a 1/4" thick, appears to be a yellow fiberglass. I would estimate I could probably do 2-3 layers in the cockpit easy with this stuff.
What'cha think?
Thanks again!
I've been reading up on it. I'm looking at 3 digit heat out west, so I need to get it square away, this is a daily driver.
I have some insulation sheet (one side foil) that I got from a friend soundproofing a basement. It is about a 1/4" thick, appears to be a yellow fiberglass. I would estimate I could probably do 2-3 layers in the cockpit easy with this stuff.
What'cha think?
Thanks again!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: The Valley of The Sun AZ
Originally Posted by DonBecker
The same guy that told me the A6 wouldn't convert well also told me that the dessicant cantiser (the VIR maybe?) would most likely be bad on my car and I'd need to buy a drier.
If the system has been open for an extended period, you need a new accumulator/drier. That dessicant bag is to absorb the moisture that builds up in the system, not to remove it from the outside world.
1979, 76, a6, ac, air, compressor, condensor, conditioning, conversion, converting, corvette, kit, r12, r4, remove, vir
