AC upgrade
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Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
AC upgrade
I'm planning still all the changes and fixes I want to do to my new car. While I doubt an upgrade as simple as this would be sufficient to get my AC blowing cold again I figured it would be good to ask about some input. I do have a stock AC compressor still on my car. And according to the previous owner it is functional. I'm assuming that the ac doesn't blow cold in my car because its R12 is depleted. It would be cool if all I had to do was to change some valves and add in some oil to give R134a the consistency needed to be compatible with an R12 system. Any thoughts/tips are appreciated.
Ecklers AC kit
Ecklers AC kit
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 70
Likes: 33
From: Montana
On a 1978 and newer vette with an orfice tube you can do a cheapy upgrade to R134 by changing the accumulator and adding mineral oil to the accumulator. Mineral oil is compatible with both freons. You need the oil to circulate with the Freon to lubricate components in the system. This conversion is sketchy and does work for some people. Sometimes for quite some time. One thing for sure is that you can run the system for a while to determine if it is worth repairing or if it needs a complete redo.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
Good to know. I'd like to get a better idea as to how effective one option is to the other. Does anyone have any youtube videos or articles that cover the difference between the 2 options.
Full conversion kit
Based on the comment from @trower I'm guessing I need to get an accumulator separately. I did find the following with a quick Google Search from parts Geek.
Parts Geek Accumulator
Full conversion kit
Based on the comment from @trower I'm guessing I need to get an accumulator separately. I did find the following with a quick Google Search from parts Geek.
Parts Geek Accumulator
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 570
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From: North Carolina
I bought the change kit from Zip for 60 odd bucks. Bought the other parts they recommended as well Total came to 134 something. They are being installed on Friday. HOPEFULLY I do not need a compressor. Mine is a 77.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
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From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Mineral oil while the original oil for CFC refrigerants (R12) is not compatible with HFC type refrigerants (r134a). The OEM installed oil for r134a systems is PAG oil, there is a conversion oil for when CFC systems are converted to HFC refrigerants which is Poly ester oils (POE's). You should still pull and flush all major parts in the system and do your best to get all of the mineral oil out then use POE oil as it will handle interaction with the residual mineral oil left in the system.
Mineral oil will not dissolve when interacting with r134a thus will not travel with the refrigerant and lubricate the moving parts as it should.
Neal
Mineral oil will not dissolve when interacting with r134a thus will not travel with the refrigerant and lubricate the moving parts as it should.
Neal
