A/C advice (motor out)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
A/C advice (motor out)
OK, this week-end my motor is coming out to go to the rebuilders. While it's out I'm going to do bushings and ball joints, and now I'm wondering about my A/C. The air conditioning has not worked since I got the car (March 02). My question is, if I install a new compressor, condenser, drier, and hose assembly. And flush out the remaining items (is the evaporator in the "box" on the right hand side, aft engine bay?), will I be safe to charge with R-134? Or do I need to change all components and also change the seals on the new stuff to R-134 compatible? From the looks of everything I don't think the A/C system has work in years. I know lots of you guys have been down this road before me and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, augie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
You don't need to replace the condensor. But you need to check that both the condensor and evaporator hold vacuum (i.e., there are no leaks). Replace everything else if these units are still OK.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT USA
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
Excellent time to upgrade to a Vintage Air system. You can porbably sell off the old parts to help pay for a new system.
Reports indicate that the replacemenmt AC system outperform the factory systems by a huge margin.
Reports indicate that the replacemenmt AC system outperform the factory systems by a huge margin.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Madison al
St. Jude Contributor
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I just replaced most of my A/C in my 79. I replaced the metal high side line with a rubber one. I charged it 134 with no problems at all and it is cooling well. Like the post above said I wouldnt replace them, just vaccum test the lines. What ever you do don't forget to replace the orrifice tube.
I was able to get most of the parts from autozone. They even had the main compressor hose. I had the high side hose made at a part store.
I think the whole thing took me 350 bucks to rebuild and it works great now.
I was able to get most of the parts from autozone. They even had the main compressor hose. I had the high side hose made at a part store.
I think the whole thing took me 350 bucks to rebuild and it works great now.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
Re: A/C advice (dsagers)
I did a search in the archive on a/c topics and read some on vintage air. Vintage air got mixed results, once it was in everybody liked it. But the install is not a good fit and requires cutting and re-fiberglassing. I just want to stick with stock components I think.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Springfield MA
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I am just completing the vintage air setup, but I agree with above.
If I had to do it over, I'd go with Hot Rod air. I just received their new catalog and they have a direct swap kit for $1000 complete. I just couldn't find anyone that had used it to verify the quality.
Having made many fabrications to the firewall and tranny tunnel as well as getting the hoses to fit I could have spent less time and money by going with their setup. :yesnod:
If I had to do it over, I'd go with Hot Rod air. I just received their new catalog and they have a direct swap kit for $1000 complete. I just couldn't find anyone that had used it to verify the quality.
Having made many fabrications to the firewall and tranny tunnel as well as getting the hoses to fit I could have spent less time and money by going with their setup. :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Wainwright Alberta
Re: A/C advice (phoenix)
I am just completing the vintage air setup, but I agree with above.
If I had to do it over, I'd go with Hot Rod air. I just received their new catalog and they have a direct swap kit for $1000 complete. I just couldn't find anyone that had used it to verify the quality.
Having made many fabrications to the firewall and tranny tunnel as well as getting the hoses to fit I could have spent less time and money by going with their setup. :yesnod:
If I had to do it over, I'd go with Hot Rod air. I just received their new catalog and they have a direct swap kit for $1000 complete. I just couldn't find anyone that had used it to verify the quality.
Having made many fabrications to the firewall and tranny tunnel as well as getting the hoses to fit I could have spent less time and money by going with their setup. :yesnod:
[Modified by SicChild, 3:58 PM 7/30/2003]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I'm having my system retrofitted to r134 as I type this. It's a reputable shop and they said that all my stock components should be fine. They are adding a high pressure switch though. It worked before, but was low on r12. I'll let you know how it all works tonight. It's 100+ degrees out today, so my drive home should be a good test.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
Re: A/C advice (The_Dude)
This is great, thank you guys so much. I have heard that if the compressor goes bad it can contaminate the rest of the system with metal. Is it safe to try and flush parts I don't replace?
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 1
From: Check this riff........
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I just got hot rod airs catalog, it looks like a nice system. Thier website is
...
http://www.hotrodair.com
--marc
...
http://www.hotrodair.com
--marc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: A/C advice (BigBadOrange)
I just got their catalog also and I'm really considering this. It looks like a nice system and from the specs it's only 8 1/4 inches tall. I know that's smaller than the stock unit because I've taken that bear out and it's huge.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I just got my car back after converting to r134. They did have to replace the accumulator. The AC is colder than it was, but not as cold as the AC in my '99 pickup. Fortunately, we only get about 2-3 weeks a year of temperatures much over 90 degrees. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I just did my conversion on the 77 with the hot rod air kit. I found alot of junk inside my evaporator when I removed it. There were old leaves & debri that filled up more than 1/2 the space. no wonder it woudn't cool right and blow out compressors. If I were reusing the old stuff I would definatlety remove the evap for inspection. It would be a good time to test the components for leaks and much easier when out. The new system I have fits tightley under the dash on the pass side. It blows about 50 degrees in 90 deg temps but I feel that it can blow colder. The a/c guy only vac'd it out for 15 mins before charging it up . I will have it revaced and recharged soon. You can see some pis at http://www.msnusers.com/slpdaypics
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: A/C advice (dogboy)
When I drove home yesterday afternoon (it was still 90 some degrees out), the AC was plenty cold. I was happy. The mechanics did find some junk in the system, but said they cleaned it out pretty well. They also said it was common in older systems, and it may need some attention down the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: A/C advice (Augie 79)
I've heard that '77 and earlier A/C systems are less effective than the '78 and up Vettes. I have a rebuilt compressor, original evaporator and condensor, using R12. I can guarantee I get plenty of cold air. The car is nice and cool even on 100-degree days. No need for Vintage Air in my '79!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
Re: A/C advice (page62)
If you retain your old system I would look at a sanden compressor upgrade. Compared to the A4 that was in the car the sanden runs very smooth & quiet. I can't believe the difference.