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I have a new to me 1977 with factory air. The previous owner changed it to R134. The high pressure side of the suction discharge hose has a hole in it.
Can I use a 1978 hose on this? It looks like the bends are ok,
Early or late 77 Air-con? Early is the VIR type of Air-con. And the answer is No. Late is a more modern setup with a orifice tube, etc. Same as a 78 so then yes. Your photo doesn't show the VIR or dryer. What's down there in the RH lower fender under the blower motor?
The compressor is converted to R 134. It’s a later 77. The high pressure side runs under the right fender. Will get photos tomorrow. Thank you for the answer.
Originally Posted by 4-vettes
Early or late 77 Air-con? Early is the VIR type of Air-con. And the answer is No. Late is a more modern setup with a orifice tube, etc. Same as a 78 so then yes. Your photo doesn't show the VIR or dryer. What's down there in the RH lower fender under the blower motor?
If it's a Late 77. The 78 hose is the same. Early, not.
Converted to 134.
Yet it has factory compressor. How about the condenser?
It could be done better. Before I would waste money on repairing that. I would certainly upgrade it. Cold air is nice!
If it's a Late 77. The 78 hose is the same. Early, not.
Converted to 134.
Yet it has factory compressor. How about the condenser?
It could be done better. Before I would waste money on repairing that. I would certainly upgrade it. Cold air is nice!
Leak is underneath the back hose
You said the compressor should be changed. What model do you recommend? The previous owner changed it to a R 134, but apparently damaged the hose when he installed it.
Two questions. 1. Will the 1978 hose fit it? 2. Any other parts to change while I am doing this? If it helps my VIN is 412172
Last edited by Vettemedic77; Apr 22, 2025 at 05:14 PM.
Reason: Added number
Thanks for putting up the pictures.
Absolutely, this is a early 77 with a VIR Eliminator kit installed. Absolutely NO Stock hose will fit.
I ran a thread a couple years back. Sorry I SUCK at posting a link. The thread is titled 73-E77 Air-Con upgrade. A quick google search should bring it right up. Or go into my profile. Find the header that says, all threads started by .....
there are a few, but scroll down, you'll find it.
I also have a early 77. I live in tropical Queensland Australia.
My Air-Con is fantastic. I outline it all on a budget.
And after you get that custom hose remade by a automotive air-con shop, keep it way away from that exhaust manifold!
In addition. Your vin number indicates a very early 77 model car all up. Built in 76 , I'm guessing around October. But you can certainly look up it's birthday, or decode the trim tag in the drivers door frame, A piller. It'll have the date it was started to be built. Often the birthday is the next day. But not always.
from your pictures,....
Clearly a VIR Eliminator kit complete with the pressure switch on the drier. A temp switch on the evaporator is a much better set-up. A Sanden compressor is far more efficient and requires about 1/4 of the power to spin it and is designed from the onset for 134 refrigerant. The condenser is also outdated and will work, but no where near as well as a parallel flow condenser. A trienary switch if you are running electric fans or at least a binary switch in place of the factory low pressure switch.
A early 77 Air-con system worked pretty good back in the 70's. Today? Not so much.
And my original high pressure line blew on the underside as well. That's not your previous owner. That's the factory routing. Get it away from that exhaust!
Whats going on here??
This is where the factory put the low pressure switch. And you should now have at a minimum a binary switch , I can't tell what this is.
Whats going on here??
This is where the factory put the low pressure switch. And you should now have at a minimum a binary switch , I can't tell what this is.
I have no idea. It looks like a site glass and the r134 high blue line filler is right above it. The previous owner did some weird thing, but he at least put American Flag flame decals on for an extra 140 HP. (I took them off).
Thanks for putting up the pictures.
Absolutely, this is a early 77 with a VIR Eliminator kit installed. Absolutely NO Stock hose will fit.
I ran a thread a couple years back. Sorry I SUCK at posting a link. The thread is titled 73-E77 Air-Con upgrade. A quick google search should bring it right up. Or go into my profile. Find the header that says, all threads started by .....
there are a few, but scroll down, you'll find it.
I also have a early 77. I live in tropical Queensland Australia.
My Air-Con is fantastic. I outline it all on a budget.
And after you get that custom hose remade by a automotive air-con shop, keep it way away from that exhaust manifold!
A/c suction discharge hose
