Looking for some guidance how how to convert a original 79 L-82 ac to the new AC standard

 

Most painless method is to have an automotive AC shop make the conversion for you. They can legally remove any remaining R-12, dispose of it, then convert to R-134a.

 

The good news is that the AC unit in the dash of your 79 uses current technology.

If you want to convert to R134a refrigerant (<-google this for basic info), there are a number of stages you may wish to explore - each costs more but provides better results and lasts longer.

1) Install the R134a specific charging ports (see google above). This may require you to have new hoses made to accommodate the hardware. Any AC shop can make the hoses, AND (good thing) they will use modern barrier hose which is made to prevent the smaller R134a molecule from escaping the system, AND replacing them allows you to replace ALL existing o rings with those that are R134a compatible.

2) The lubricant oils used for R12 (in your current system) are not compatible with R134a. There are various kludges to bridge this compatibility issue (again, see google above). The more of the R12 oil removed the better and longer it will work.

3) The orifice tube used for R12 is larger than that required by R134a. For R134, use a smaller orifice tube like .062 Ford (2 O-rings) Red in place of the GM White .072

4) You currently have an R4 compressor. Others have used them, but I have not had good success using them together with R134a - they die quickly (at least for me). I now use a Sanden 508 compressor.

5) Finally, the original condenser is not well suited to shedding heat from R134a. All of the aftermarket conversions use a multi-path condenser, which is less than $100.

For son info on my conversion see http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...in-a-77-a.html

For parts needed see nostalgicac.com

 

Very, very informative as is your description and photos of your a/c conversion. I plan to do the same to my '79. I hope if I run into any issues you won't mind me calling on you for help. You are a wealth of knowledge. I'm sure everyone appreciates it.

 

Some info that might be useful

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...conversion.htm

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/zwed...c/retrofit.htm

http://www.ariazone.com/manuals/Auto...g%20Manual.pdf

agree, this one is very good
here you go....I read a lot here to do my first conversion:
http://acsource.net/acforum/

Lots of different numbers out there on how much oil to put in too. I went with the advice from the last link above. Or basically put in the amount of oil in your original service manual, 11oz for the old A6.

One more if you are an a/c newbie, like me, lol's!
http://www.firstfives.org/faq/AC/ac_charge.html

I am in the middle of going to 134 with a VIR eliminator for a 76, too early to declare success yet, LOL's

 

It may just be me, but the links don't seem to work.

 

Replaced my R12 compressor about 7 years ago with another R12. This year, freon gone and cannot easily get more. So, repair shop did a ~$350 conversion to R134a which was evacuation of everything, new fittings and 134a. Maybe some other minor things but nothing great. Air is really cool. Much better than R12. In 85* temp in Houtown already. I am sold on the conversion.

 

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...conversion.htm

http://www.ariazone.com/manuals/Auto...g%20Manual.pdf

http://acsource.net/acforum/

http://www.firstfives.org/faq/AC/ac_charge.html

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/zwed...c/retrofit.htm

 

Thank you.

 

$350 well spent.