Air Conditioning upgrade for 1979
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Blossom Texas
Air Conditioning upgrade for 1979
I'm baaaack! My next project is to upgrade the existing air conditioning to a R 134a based system. I have been reading a lot on the subject and I would like to discuss this. I know I can upgrade the system by changing out the seals and putting in a new drier, but my compressor is shot and I need a new one. Is there an after market compressor that will fit the 1979 that has been designed for R134a?
Does anyone have any tips on doing this from lessons learned. No sense in me falling into the same traps as others..... Thanks to everyone for the help on the last issue, I really appreciate it...
Does anyone have any tips on doing this from lessons learned. No sense in me falling into the same traps as others..... Thanks to everyone for the help on the last issue, I really appreciate it...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
You can look at this link. They have a kit for 79 like the 76.http://www.classicautoair.com/GM_OEM_Parts_Compressor.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-81-CAMARO-Hi-Po-SMALL-BLOCK-A-C-Compressor-Upgrade-Kit-AC-Air-Conditioning-/400124369433?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_A ccessories&hash=item5d29455a19
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-81-CAMARO-Hi-Po-SMALL-BLOCK-A-C-Compressor-Upgrade-Kit-AC-Air-Conditioning-/400124369433?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_A ccessories&hash=item5d29455a19
Last edited by mikep3; Jan 14, 2014 at 11:38 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Get a Sanden 508 compressor that is compatible with 134A. To mount, there are a number of options (vintage air and classic air), but many use Allan Grove mounts.
Use a parallel flow condenser (NOT stock, which is designed for R12) which will pull much less heat out of the 134a than the stock unit.
Your current system is an orifice system. You will have to change you orifice tube to a smaller (?) diameter to work effectively with the 134a.
You will need a new drier and will have to clean the oil from inside of the evaporator as lubricants for R12 and 134a are generally nor compatible. It would pay to disassemble the evaporator housing, clean the debris from it and the fan housing and replace all gaskets and O-rings.
After making new hoses (be sure to use a barrier hose designed for 134a - it has smaller molecules that will penetrate hoses designed for R12) you will be ready to go, with stock controls and an effective R134a system.
I did all of the above EXCEPT retain the stock evaporator/heater/fan. I replaced all with a Vintage Air system. I have done a write up on this project. If you wish to look at it, do a search under Rotonda.
If you have questions, please feel free to PM me.
Tom
Use a parallel flow condenser (NOT stock, which is designed for R12) which will pull much less heat out of the 134a than the stock unit.
Your current system is an orifice system. You will have to change you orifice tube to a smaller (?) diameter to work effectively with the 134a.
You will need a new drier and will have to clean the oil from inside of the evaporator as lubricants for R12 and 134a are generally nor compatible. It would pay to disassemble the evaporator housing, clean the debris from it and the fan housing and replace all gaskets and O-rings.
After making new hoses (be sure to use a barrier hose designed for 134a - it has smaller molecules that will penetrate hoses designed for R12) you will be ready to go, with stock controls and an effective R134a system.
I did all of the above EXCEPT retain the stock evaporator/heater/fan. I replaced all with a Vintage Air system. I have done a write up on this project. If you wish to look at it, do a search under Rotonda.
If you have questions, please feel free to PM me.
Tom
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 176
From: Hillsborough NC
I did a similar thing a few years ago on my 78. The orifice tube you are looking for is the ford blue orifice tube. I just went to the parts counter at a local ford dealership and picked one up.
With 134a you need to have a finer screen in the orifice. The finer screen in the orifice will turn the liquid freon into smaller droplets than the original. More smaller droplets equals more surface area to absorb heat, which makes the system more efficient. It will work with the standard orifice tube, but it may not get as cool. That's the reason many folks complain that R134a is not as good in an old converted system.
Good luck.
With 134a you need to have a finer screen in the orifice. The finer screen in the orifice will turn the liquid freon into smaller droplets than the original. More smaller droplets equals more surface area to absorb heat, which makes the system more efficient. It will work with the standard orifice tube, but it may not get as cool. That's the reason many folks complain that R134a is not as good in an old converted system.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
Yes, the air flow is significantly better. Almost enough to blow my hair back. The vane design moves more air. On MAX AC with the cowl door closed, you will notice more flow.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
I am not at my home computer so I cannot post a photo but here is a link to my build and there is a few photos of the spacer that I made to adapted a c4 blower motor.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-thread-4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-thread-4.html
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
I have been doing a little bit of research on upgrading compressors and was going to use Vintage Air for the compressor because I like the bracket when I used it on my 72 Truck and 56 BelAir. I spoke with Vintage Air and was told they do not have a bracket that will work if I am using a Corvette water pump because it is different in lengths that a Chevy short and long pumps. This was a while ago so they may have something now but its something to keep in mind.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Get a Sanden 508 compressor that is compatible with 134A. To mount, there are a number of options (vintage air and classic air), but many use Allan Grove mounts.
Use a parallel flow condenser (NOT stock, which is designed for R12) which will pull much less heat out of the 134a than the stock unit.
Your current system is an orifice system. You will have to change you orifice tube to a smaller (?) diameter to work effectively with the 134a.
You will need a new drier and will have to clean the oil from inside of the evaporator as lubricants for R12 and 134a are generally nor compatible. It would pay to disassemble the evaporator housing, clean the debris from it and the fan housing and replace all gaskets and O-rings.
After making new hoses (be sure to use a barrier hose designed for 134a - it has smaller molecules that will penetrate hoses designed for R12) you will be ready to go, with stock controls and an effective R134a system.
I did all of the above EXCEPT retain the stock evaporator/heater/fan. I replaced all with a Vintage Air system. I have done a write up on this project. If you wish to look at it, do a search under Rotonda.
If you have questions, please feel free to PM me.
Tom
Use a parallel flow condenser (NOT stock, which is designed for R12) which will pull much less heat out of the 134a than the stock unit.
Your current system is an orifice system. You will have to change you orifice tube to a smaller (?) diameter to work effectively with the 134a.
You will need a new drier and will have to clean the oil from inside of the evaporator as lubricants for R12 and 134a are generally nor compatible. It would pay to disassemble the evaporator housing, clean the debris from it and the fan housing and replace all gaskets and O-rings.
After making new hoses (be sure to use a barrier hose designed for 134a - it has smaller molecules that will penetrate hoses designed for R12) you will be ready to go, with stock controls and an effective R134a system.
I did all of the above EXCEPT retain the stock evaporator/heater/fan. I replaced all with a Vintage Air system. I have done a write up on this project. If you wish to look at it, do a search under Rotonda.
If you have questions, please feel free to PM me.
Tom