AC compressor replacement
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
AC compressor replacement
My Compressor Clutch gave out yesterday on the way back from Funfest
I will replace the Compressor & Clutch since the compressor is the original 1985 compressor.
I guess I will have the R12 reclaimed then I'll pull the Compressor off and put the new one on with new hoses, then I can have the R12 put back in and topped off.
My question is, what else should I replace, evaporator etc?
I will replace the Compressor & Clutch since the compressor is the original 1985 compressor.
I guess I will have the R12 reclaimed then I'll pull the Compressor off and put the new one on with new hoses, then I can have the R12 put back in and topped off.
My question is, what else should I replace, evaporator etc?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
When you change the compressor, why don't you just change out the dryer, evacuate the entire system, and convert to R134A?
R12 is getting harder to find, and it is expen$ive when you DO find it.
R12 is getting harder to find, and it is expen$ive when you DO find it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
When you go to get your compressor, you will probably find that the warranty will be voided unless you replace the Dryer/Accumulator and the oriface.
I just went through this with my 87. I know there is a strong urge to keep everything original on these things, but converting to 134 won't hurt originality much, not even to the NCRS crowd.
My system was in pretty sad shape after 18 years of neglect (I had only recently purchased the car). My condenser was beat-up and looked like a leak risk, so I bought all new hoses, condenser, dryer,oriface and compressor. Actually, the only thing left on the car was the evaporator and 1 aluminum line. I flushed the evap and line, replaced all the other stuff and took it to a neighborhood garage where they evacuated and charged it for $125.00. My A/C system runs and looks like new and except for the 134 hose adapters, it appears stock. If I cared about the apparence of the hose adapters, I could take them off and no-one could tell the A/C wasn't stock.
I just went through this with my 87. I know there is a strong urge to keep everything original on these things, but converting to 134 won't hurt originality much, not even to the NCRS crowd.
My system was in pretty sad shape after 18 years of neglect (I had only recently purchased the car). My condenser was beat-up and looked like a leak risk, so I bought all new hoses, condenser, dryer,oriface and compressor. Actually, the only thing left on the car was the evaporator and 1 aluminum line. I flushed the evap and line, replaced all the other stuff and took it to a neighborhood garage where they evacuated and charged it for $125.00. My A/C system runs and looks like new and except for the 134 hose adapters, it appears stock. If I cared about the apparence of the hose adapters, I could take them off and no-one could tell the A/C wasn't stock.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
OK I will get a new drier and orifice,
but I have done two R12-R134 swaps and neither car was as cold as the R12, I would rather pay the extra money to have the car be cold and get the R12, unless there is another option.
but I have done two R12-R134 swaps and neither car was as cold as the R12, I would rather pay the extra money to have the car be cold and get the R12, unless there is another option.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
You don't have to evacuate the system if you just replace the a/c clutch.
Price difference between R12 and R134 is getting smaller. No one wants R12 and R134 is in short supply (Dupont announced last spring that they may only be able to produce enough R134 for the OEM's). To buy all of the R12 you want, get your license at www.epatest.com for 25 Bucks, then shop Autozone (about $15/can - you'll need 3) or EBay or do a Google search. In any event, R12 and the 8ozs of mineral oil you'll need should set you back about $60 plus the $25 for your license. The new compressor, accumulator and orifice, will be considerably more.
Price difference between R12 and R134 is getting smaller. No one wants R12 and R134 is in short supply (Dupont announced last spring that they may only be able to produce enough R134 for the OEM's). To buy all of the R12 you want, get your license at www.epatest.com for 25 Bucks, then shop Autozone (about $15/can - you'll need 3) or EBay or do a Google search. In any event, R12 and the 8ozs of mineral oil you'll need should set you back about $60 plus the $25 for your license. The new compressor, accumulator and orifice, will be considerably more.
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
ac repair
Originally Posted by LD85
My Compressor Clutch gave out yesterday on the way back from Funfest
I will replace the Compressor & Clutch since the compressor is the original 1985 compressor.
I guess I will have the R12 reclaimed then I'll pull the Compressor off and put the new one on with new hoses, then I can have the R12 put back in and topped off.
My question is, what else should I replace, evaporator etc?
I will replace the Compressor & Clutch since the compressor is the original 1985 compressor.
I guess I will have the R12 reclaimed then I'll pull the Compressor off and put the new one on with new hoses, then I can have the R12 put back in and topped off.
My question is, what else should I replace, evaporator etc?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Thanks guys, I am not concerned about the cost difference, even if it is $100 more to do the R12, at least I know that it will be colder. And, with my luck, if I bought the clutch and not the compessor, the compressor would then take a dump, plus the clutch costs nearly as much as the compresor/clutch combo.
I have paid for two R12 to R134 upgrades and they both sucked. I will not take that chance again.
So it looks like I will change everything but the Evaporator, I already have new hoses that I bought some time back.
I have paid for two R12 to R134 upgrades and they both sucked. I will not take that chance again.
So it looks like I will change everything but the Evaporator, I already have new hoses that I bought some time back.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Hey Buddy,
SunCr helped me big time with alot of questions before.He gave me this website to check stuff out.Its a good site if you didnt already know.Even has a forum on there to talk a/c.
Its www.ackits.com
heres a rebuilt compressor for your car:
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merc..._Code=000118CP
Did you have a brand of part you were going to go with? Im hearing too many horror stories about short lived compressors from the big chain stores.
Hope it works out for ya!
SunCr helped me big time with alot of questions before.He gave me this website to check stuff out.Its a good site if you didnt already know.Even has a forum on there to talk a/c.
Its www.ackits.com
heres a rebuilt compressor for your car:
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merc..._Code=000118CP
Did you have a brand of part you were going to go with? Im hearing too many horror stories about short lived compressors from the big chain stores.
Hope it works out for ya!
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
Hey Buddy,
SunCr helped me big time with alot of questions before.He gave me this website to check stuff out.Its a good site if you didnt already know.Even has a forum on there to talk a/c.
Its www.ackits.com
heres a rebuilt compressor for your car:
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merc..._Code=000118CP
Did you have a brand of part you were going to go with? Im hearing too many horror stories about short lived compressors from the big chain stores.
Hope it works out for ya!
SunCr helped me big time with alot of questions before.He gave me this website to check stuff out.Its a good site if you didnt already know.Even has a forum on there to talk a/c.
Its www.ackits.com
heres a rebuilt compressor for your car:
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merc..._Code=000118CP
Did you have a brand of part you were going to go with? Im hearing too many horror stories about short lived compressors from the big chain stores.
Hope it works out for ya!
Thanks for the info, I will check it out, I had not considered a particular brand,