A/C Conversion
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach CA
A/C Conversion
My 80 corvette has broken AC and I was thinking of fixing it and at the same time converting it to modern coolant.
Is there any information out there on the steps I need to take to do all this work?
Has anyone done this already who knows a good/cheap supplier of the parts?
Any help would be really appreciated as I'll be doing this work myself!
Thanks
Is there any information out there on the steps I need to take to do all this work?
Has anyone done this already who knows a good/cheap supplier of the parts?
Any help would be really appreciated as I'll be doing this work myself!
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
You'll need a set of guages and an evacuation pump. Also an electronic leak detector will come in handy. I all bought mine from ebay. Be sure you understand the difference between the high and low pressure sides of the system. There are warnings that hooking the can of refrigerant to the high side of the compressor might blow it up in your hand.
You should replace the accumualtor every time you open the system for any length of time, change the compressor, or if the system has not been working because of lack of charge for a long time. Also change the orafice tube.
The new R134 will require new o-rings and ester oil.
I bought my replacement parts at local parts stores. I spent around $200 for the guages, leak detector and evac pump on ebay, $50 for an accumuator, $2 for the orafice tube and $3.00/per can for the R134 ( I think it's more now). Orings were cheap and so was the esther oil. Eventually my compressor wore out and I replaced it for around $120. So far so good, I have not had to add refrigerant for a year and it still blows cold. Next step will be the blower motor upgrade.
You should replace the accumualtor every time you open the system for any length of time, change the compressor, or if the system has not been working because of lack of charge for a long time. Also change the orafice tube.
The new R134 will require new o-rings and ester oil.
I bought my replacement parts at local parts stores. I spent around $200 for the guages, leak detector and evac pump on ebay, $50 for an accumuator, $2 for the orafice tube and $3.00/per can for the R134 ( I think it's more now). Orings were cheap and so was the esther oil. Eventually my compressor wore out and I replaced it for around $120. So far so good, I have not had to add refrigerant for a year and it still blows cold. Next step will be the blower motor upgrade.
