I have two 1972 Coupes and both are missing the a/c compressors and have been for some time. I have the tools and means to replace and charge but my question is, what else should I replace? Drier? Expansion valve?

I have decided to stay with R12 because I have it already.

TIA

 

replace the drier, I don't know what kind of expansion valve/Orifice tube is in a 72, but it may need replacing. Flush all the lines, condensor and evaporator before installing the new stuff.

 

Also, take a very good look at the hoses. If it were me, I'd replace them too. R12 is very expensive and you don't want to have to recharge the system again due to leaking hoses.

 

If you've got the vac pump etc ... before you complete your buy list ... you really ought to pull a vac on both cond & evap to check for leaks ... sounds like they've been open for some time & plenty opportunity for corrosion.

Hey Rippee ... I just noticed you're in Farmington MO ... I was tasked on an eng job at SRI Farmington in mid-to-late 2003. Stayed 3 mo's in Farmington & Park Hills & really, really liked the local folks! Spent nearly every weekend at local St Francis fairground sprint races, little bullring at Doe Run & up at Schrader's I55 at Pevely. Didn't have my vette w/ me then but I did go to local weekly vette gathering at ... was it sonic? There was a fellow named Dave Cooper there in Farmington who was pretty darned good w/ vettes & fab work ... he mfgd quality crossbars & rollbars for C4/C5 ... I think Dave moved away but maybe he returned to Farmington ... dunno? I do hope & pray local meth situation much diminished; too many ruined lives.

 

[QUOTE=jackson;1563882000]If you've got the vac pump etc ... before you complete your buy list ... you really ought to pull a vac on both cond & evap to check for leaks ... sounds like they've been open for some time & plenty opportunity for corrosion.

Good idea. Also, keep in mind you can use R134A for leak testing as it is much cheaper. When all is sealed, remove the 134a and charge with R12.

 

Thanks all for the help. One of the cars has everything capped off but the other one has been open all of this time.


Jackson,

I used to do the local club thing but I have been doing a frame off on my bb car so been out of the loop for a while. They meet at Sonic in the summer and Ponderosa in the winter. Very knowledgeable group of guys.

My father-in-law did a lot of the powder coating for Dave. Not sure what happened to him or the products though.

The meth scene is as strong as ever, unfortunately. Lots of house trailers seem to be catching on fire. I have several family members that are just ruined because of that stuff.

 

[QUOTE=Rippee;1563890135]Thanks all for the help. One of the cars has everything capped off but the other one has been open all of this time.


IWhen you pump down the systems on yur 2 cars, I would do so for at least several hours to ensure you've gotten all the moisture out. When I do mine, I do them 12 hours or so. Moisture and refrigerant together cause a corrosive affect on aluminum.

 

Rippee:
Maybe I met your F-I-L ... one day I rode with Dave to a local powdercoater who did it at his home shop buiding... we didn't go inside ... seems like I didn't stray too far from Daves truck as there was a dog or two ... I met the guy briefly but don't recall a thing 'cept he was quite "dusty".

My heart's with you folks there in St Francis Co ... I quickly came to realize way too many families had at least one member overwhelmed by meth ... & meth's associated ills were all but bankrupting a fragile local economy & infrastructure ... so sad. For the first few weeks I was there I stayed at a locally-owned motel between F & PH ... until cops raided room next door where they were cooking meth ... then I learned a "new" section of motel was replacement for one that'd burned probably from a meth cook ... luckily I quickly found new digs. Had a friend there in St. F Co ... her sister & niece, two sons & their GFs all screwed up on meth. That crap's made it here to SC ... but its impact remaining rather small blip on the screen ... I keep both eyes open. Seems all SC pharmacies quarantine & restrict pseudoephedrine and I think that's helped a great deal to limit small time cookers. SC has an exploding hispanic pop & I'm told the illegals're big into smuggling/transiting meth thru here.

I dunno what happened to Dave C ... I think he moved away ... maybe? to the Charlotte-Mooresville NC race industry?

Rippee ... apparently everyone I knew from Siegal-Robert Inc at Farmington has a different work email ... or that SR has closed shop/laidoff there ... do you know if SR closed down/ cut back?