A/C in a '77
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Petawawa ON
A/C in a '77
Its gettin to be that time of year. Yes, it's almost time to pull my baby out of storage, anyhoo my point is that I need to get my AC back in.
My AC went bad just after I got the car a few years ago and resorted to just pulling it out. The problem was it was out of freon. All the parts are still good.
Ive seen lots of adds for vettes that advertise "cold air", whats this mean? Is there a conversion out there for 77? Any help would be great.
Reg
Pro Patria
My AC went bad just after I got the car a few years ago and resorted to just pulling it out. The problem was it was out of freon. All the parts are still good.
Ive seen lots of adds for vettes that advertise "cold air", whats this mean? Is there a conversion out there for 77? Any help would be great.
Reg
Pro Patria
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: A/C in a '77 (Dethtek031)
Go to http://www.aircondition.com There are some forums on that site that you can find just about anything you want about repairing your airconditioner. Sometimes it might be cheaper to replace the old style compressor and condensor with a more modern unit. Sanden makes some really nice compressors that are alot more efficient than the old centrifugal type compressors.
There are several options for replacing the R-12 with R-134a or some other alternative coolant. You can find out just about everything you could want to know about A/C's on the website.
There are several options for replacing the R-12 with R-134a or some other alternative coolant. You can find out just about everything you could want to know about A/C's on the website.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: macon, ga
Re: A/C in a '77 (Dethtek031)
im in the same boat as you. i have a 77 with no air, the only problem is the previous owner didnt save any parts. if you decide not to put it back together i would love to buy the parts off of you. thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: A/C in a '77 (Dethtek031)
I forget wither a '77 has the short large dia. R4 compressor or the heavy long one of smaller diameter....the A6....
the earlier A6 unit is a much better compressor, and can probably be fixed by just changing the front seal....tell tail signs of it leaking is the oil around the compressor pulley and splash on the hood oil stains...
either unit can be converted to R134 easily by just putting it in place ....
after changing all the O ring seals, drier, and blowing lines clear of most of the old oil, and changing over the oil too....make sure to evacuate the system for a long time, and see 28 on the vacuum scale....holding for over a hour after pump is stopped....
GENE
the earlier A6 unit is a much better compressor, and can probably be fixed by just changing the front seal....tell tail signs of it leaking is the oil around the compressor pulley and splash on the hood oil stains...
either unit can be converted to R134 easily by just putting it in place ....
after changing all the O ring seals, drier, and blowing lines clear of most of the old oil, and changing over the oil too....make sure to evacuate the system for a long time, and see 28 on the vacuum scale....holding for over a hour after pump is stopped....
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: A/C in a '77 (Dethtek031)
Cold air means working A/C. The 77 came w/ the rotary compressor which takes less power, is lighter, smaller & out of the way. No need for the old one. When the original stopped, bought a new one which still works great.
If you want something else, look into Sanden as Steve says. They came on some cars.
If you want something else, look into Sanden as Steve says. They came on some cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: A/C in a '77 (Ganey)
HUMM...ok, well the R4 rotory comressor may be slightly more effiecient, lighter weight too boot, take less room, but the internal guts are unreliable compared to the older unit...at least they are cheap to replace these days, didn't used to be though...
hardly worth changing over to a newer unit though, as changing brackets and belts and such make it a pain in the butt project...not to mention custom hoses....need made up by a competant a/c shop that does their own hoses...
GENE
hardly worth changing over to a newer unit though, as changing brackets and belts and such make it a pain in the butt project...not to mention custom hoses....need made up by a competant a/c shop that does their own hoses...
GENE
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