A/C Information source?

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Jul 25, 2006 | 02:06 PM

Xakk

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 936

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From: Tulsa OK

A/C Information source?

I'm getting ready to attempt to fix the A/C on my 81. The compressor was removed by the previous owner, but everything else has been left in place. I'm pretty sure I can manage to install a new compressor, dryer, orifice tube and hoses, but I get kinda lost from there. Is there a good source I can go with information on setup and repair of the A/C system on an 81?

Jul 25, 2006 | 02:17 PM

SIXFOOTER

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 9,192

Likes: 27

From: Boca Raton Florida

Do a search, there is an AC forum out there somewhere and they know their stuff. I found quite a bit of good info in the shop manual. If you can do that much your almost there. There are specs in the book on how much oil and refrigerant to use. You need to flush the system out real well with a flush agent, add the oil and then pull a vacume on the system, it needs to hold for about 4 hrs with NO leakage, this has to be done with the caps on the schraders. If it does leak down there a couple ways to find it. There is a sniffer you may find at a ac repair shop, or there is a dye you can put in and then use a blacklight and special glasses. Last time I did this I has a friend with a sniffer, it worked pretty well.

Jul 25, 2006 | 03:19 PM

myoriginal77

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,449

Likes: 40

From: Panama City Beach, Florida

You'll also need a new dryer, after the system is open it fills with moisture. And, don't "un-cork" the new one until you are ready to install and seal it up and pull the vacuum, otherwise it will suck moisture out of the air and freeze up when you try and charge it.

Frank

Jul 25, 2006 | 03:40 PM

MIKER

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 2,581

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From: Tolar Texas

Automotive Air Conditioning Bulletin Board
http://acsource.net/acforum/

Air Conditioning.com
http://www.aircondition.com/tech/

Jul 25, 2006 | 03:45 PM

SIXFOOTER

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 9,192

Likes: 27

From: Boca Raton Florida

yea, thats the one, I also did an ebay search, you can get a detector under $75

Jul 25, 2006 | 04:51 PM

Xakk

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 936

Likes: 0

From: Tulsa OK

Question about the compressor: O'Reillys is showing two different compressors, one with a switch and one without. Since I don't have the old compressor to compare it to, which one do I need?

Also, is there anything else I need to replace? Right now I know:
Dryer
Orifice
Compressor
Hoses
Pressure switch??

I found the old blue wire tucked into the starter loom. I'm assuming all I need is that wire and a ground. Correct?

Jul 25, 2006 | 09:45 PM

SIXFOOTER

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 9,192

Likes: 27

From: Boca Raton Florida

My 81 doesn't have a switch on it. There is a Green and a Black wire for the compressor clutch coming out of the harness running along the fender about where the overflow bottle is. There is also a presure switch by the drier. I'll email you an image

Well I would have if I had your email address

Last edited by SIXFOOTER; Jul 25, 2006 at 09:47 PM.