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Old Mar 6, 2007 | 10:14 PM
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Hello all, I need to get my A/C system working on my 78. It has a broken hose at this point so the system is open. I plan to replace the compressor, hose and drier. Can anyone reccommend where to get these parts. I see that ecklers has a 134 conversion kit with all the needed parts (I think?) for 270.00.

And the big question is how in the world do you change that drier? It looks extremely difficult to get at.

Thanks
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Old Mar 6, 2007 | 10:51 PM
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when I did my 77 I had to cut a wrench in half to have one to get on it. 1" I think it was, yard sale wrench. It is a PITA
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Old Mar 7, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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Good idea, thanks for the info.... any ideas on a good source for parts?
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Old Mar 7, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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Try these guys
http://www.acsource.net/xcart/home.php?cat=1448
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Old Mar 7, 2007 | 09:01 PM
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go to any parts store and buy a stubby ratching wrench works fine.also any parts store sells the parts for the a/c but look for a dealer like cold air distributors better prices.
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Old Mar 7, 2007 | 09:17 PM
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Be sure to replace the orfice tube as well. NAPA and CarQuest make hoses, as well as the catalogs. I would get the dryer from GM. I would leave it R12, but that's me.
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Old Mar 8, 2007 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by 78anniversary
Hello all, I need to get my A/C system working on my 78. It has a broken hose at this point so the system is open. I plan to replace the compressor, hose and drier. Can anyone reccommend where to get these parts. I see that ecklers has a 134 conversion kit with all the needed parts (I think?) for 270.00.

And the big question is how in the world do you change that drier? It looks extremely difficult to get at.

Thanks
I had good luck with Willcox http://www.willcoxcorvette.com/

The dryer is a real pain, my 76 had a cover directly below the dryer that I removed to gain some access. I did not convert my system but I did buy conversion compatible components. Willcox knew the right hose configuration I needed whereas "other" Corvette distributors did not. Wrong shape and hose diameter offered by "others".

(see level of service from Willcox email reply below)

"If you order the hose you have in the picture, you will be in trouble again.

GM p/n 12529017 is what is in the picture and the diameter of the hose is to small. When you install this it will pinch off the hose trying to make the bend.

What you need is our p/n 15-30559r hose. This hose is basically the original hose as the 12529017. Our long number for this hose is 12509017R Which indicates to us that the hose size is of the larger original style that won't pinch off when you install it on the car. The price of this hose is 100.00! It would be correct in fit and the hose size.

Regards,

Willcox"
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Old Mar 13, 2007 | 10:31 PM
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Thanks guys, is there anything else I should replace like o-rings or something being I am converting it to 134A?
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Old Mar 14, 2007 | 12:38 AM
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LOL
I tend to agree with you, but,
A lot of people worry about getting the hose kinked.
Don't worry, static you'll have minimum of about 100psi in there and depending on the day it could be as high as 375psi and operating at 225psi all the time. Try that in one of your tires. There won't be any kinks in the hose.
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Old Mar 14, 2007 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by markdtn
Be sure to replace the orfice tube as well. NAPA and CarQuest make hoses, as well as the catalogs. I would get the dryer from GM. I would leave it R12, but that's me.
Properly set up, R134a is just as cold.
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Old Mar 14, 2007 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by noonie
LOL
I tend to agree with you, but,
A lot of people worry about getting the hose kinked.
Don't worry, static you'll have minimum of about 100psi in there and depending on the day it could be as high as 375psi and operating at 225psi all the time. Try that in one of your tires. There won't be any kinks in the hose.
Yep. My hose was kinked. By the time I drove home from the A/C place, it was kinked no more. Has never been since.
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Old Mar 14, 2007 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Properly set up, R134a is just as cold.
It is fine. There is no reason to stay R-12.
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