Well with the 90+ degree heat here for a week, I figured that it's time to get the AC working.

I have new hoses, a working compressor and condenser. The controls work and I am looking into what else I need.

I know that I need a drier, but none is listed for the 73. There is a VIR eliminator kit from Ecklers (part 40391 ro the complete VIR assembly.

What is the VIR? Is this the dryer? What does the eliminator kit do and will I then still need a dryer?

Basically, I want this to work, I am not worried about keeping it stock but I can't seem to get answers about the best way to do this. If getting it back to stock is easiest, then I will, I just can't seem to figure out what stock is on the 73.

Thanks for the help. :D

 

The 73 through early 77 used the VIR (valves in receiver, i think) to consolodate all the parts in one unit. The drier is part of the VIR.

If you are not concerned about keeping the car original, contact Chris Petris at the Corvette Clinic in FL. He has put together a kit with updated parts, modern compressor, and hoses to upgrade the cooling performance of the C3.

tom...

 

I THINK, you 73 is similar to my 72 in that you have of course an A6 compressor and a POA valve, the POA valve limits with evaporator temperature, the amount of gas allowed back to the compressor....this allows the system to be 'allways on' whereas without such a POA davice, the compressor is cycled on and off....
now on some later sharks, there was a combination device known as a VIR assy...that was a combination device pulling the functions of the expansion valve, POA valve, and drier dessicant all onto one easy to replace canister...
large silver thing, with 4-5 lines going in and out of it....
this thing from Ecklers, if it's the one I have seen and thinking of, is a replacement for the POA valve....and as such has a switch on it to be wired into the compressor clutch electricals, allowing the compressor to cycle on and off like a modern car.....thing is those old A6 compressors takea bit of power to spin up....damn thing can compress water, and they sure are heavy, but there has never been a better compressor than that one, bar none on any car....


GENE

 

How do I contact Chris Petris?

 

Web site is still under construction, http://www.corvetteclinicinc.com

Corvette Clinic
701 Cornwall Rd # D
Sanford, FL 32773-7334
Phone: (407)323-7804

tom...



[Modified by Tom73, 7:58 AM 6/27/2002]

 

Thanks :)

Does Chris Petris have a web site?

Man you are fast :D:D YOu got that up before I hit post :)


[Modified by phoenix, 8:59 AM 6/27/2002]

 

Why not just put the system back together as per factory specs and recharge it with 18 ozs of Duracool that is what I did and I can make ice in the vette. Works great

 

No problem making ice n Canada....wonder how it works in Florida with 90% humidity and 100f+ temps.....in the shade that is....

GENE

 

Tom, thanks for the info on Chris.

I've been reading and study AC for a while now and plan on replacing most of my system and I'm still deciding who I'm going to buy (the various components I need) from. I really want to completely rebuild the AC system before I pull the car apart. It's one of the few areas that has me a bit confused and even though it's harder to rebuild the AC with the engine in-place and the body on, I think getting it in 1st class shape before I take my car apart will pay dividends down the road. And of course I'll probably end up going through two sets of custom brackets . . . on set for the L48 and another set for whatever I replace the L48 with. :D

 

Late 77 and on is a simple and more efficient design. Maybe you can find a parts doner at a boneyard. Only part that needs to be new is drier with a compatible desicant for newer oils. :smash:

 

When I put my system back together I'm going to try Duracool. The boiling point compared to others is:

R134a -14.9 degrees F.
R12 -21.6 degrees F
Duracool -24.7 degrees F

Slightly lower than R12. Regardless it will be a while before I'm at that point. Yeah, I know its a propane base etc...