New to this, I need some advise on repairing the A/C system in a 73 coupe. It appears as though there is a valve (VIR?) in the accumilator/drier that by passes the evaporator (line to evap warm, return line to comp cold). Has anyone upgraded the system (my understanding is all 1973 to early 1977 are this way) to a low pressure sense system as used today? I have found an upgrade drier to convert in Ecklers, what about all the connections? What about purging/cleaning the system? What do I need to convert to 134A? (R-12 is rapidly becoming unobtainium)
73 C-3 A/c
- Thread starter CWD
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R
resto75
Guest
Welcome to CAC. I can't help you out with the A/C but I'm sure someone will, they always do.
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- 71 Conv. (Sold) / 98 Pewter Coupe (Sold)
Hi Willie and welcome to the CAC!
I don't know how much this will help, but click here to view an older thread on the same topic.
I don't know how much this will help, but click here to view an older thread on the same topic.
F
fwsports
Guest
A/C unit
Unless you are willing to spend a bunch of money, not have an original system, I would suggest that you repair what you have, keep it 'OEM', even though R-12 is much more expensive than 134...........If you convert, you must flush out & drain all the freon & oil from the system..... they make fittings to go from the R 12 to 134...replace the Compressor, drier, replace all of the o rings & seals, and it will not cool as well........the old A 6 compressor that you have is still the best AC, you can still get all the parts to repair your system and keep it 'Original'.........find a good shop and for 1/2 the cost, get your system working like new. (R12 is still around, and will be for a long time).....if it was my car, that is what I would do.
Unless you are willing to spend a bunch of money, not have an original system, I would suggest that you repair what you have, keep it 'OEM', even though R-12 is much more expensive than 134...........If you convert, you must flush out & drain all the freon & oil from the system..... they make fittings to go from the R 12 to 134...replace the Compressor, drier, replace all of the o rings & seals, and it will not cool as well........the old A 6 compressor that you have is still the best AC, you can still get all the parts to repair your system and keep it 'Original'.........find a good shop and for 1/2 the cost, get your system working like new. (R12 is still around, and will be for a long time).....if it was my car, that is what I would do.
H
Hijinx
Guest
I know its expensive, but the conversion Corvette America has upgrades everything. Its around $1000. I would expect that it is a Vintage Air product.
F
fwsports
Guest
A / C
I see that Corvette America has a complete conversion, but I am not familiar with what it all has or what it looks like.......you mention Vintage Air, again I am unfamiliar with that......My opinion only, for the $1000 in parts (and additional labor costs) if you can't do it yourself.......is expensive, I would check out a 'Good qualified shop' and get an estimate to repair what you have........my '74 still has the original A/C, has lasted almost 30 years.........if it goes bad I will repair it and hope for many more years......or better yet, if you have a good idea what is wrong, replace the parts, take it to the shop, have them evacute & recharge the system, if you are unsure, they will check it out for a few bucks and give you an estimate......then decide.
I see that Corvette America has a complete conversion, but I am not familiar with what it all has or what it looks like.......you mention Vintage Air, again I am unfamiliar with that......My opinion only, for the $1000 in parts (and additional labor costs) if you can't do it yourself.......is expensive, I would check out a 'Good qualified shop' and get an estimate to repair what you have........my '74 still has the original A/C, has lasted almost 30 years.........if it goes bad I will repair it and hope for many more years......or better yet, if you have a good idea what is wrong, replace the parts, take it to the shop, have them evacute & recharge the system, if you are unsure, they will check it out for a few bucks and give you an estimate......then decide.
H
Hijinx
Guest
Vintage Air makes aftermarket A/C conversion kits for just about everything. Their stuff is very high quality and provides great cold air (something I have never felt from a 60's or 70's muscle car or sports car). You can definatley get yours fixed for less. However, if you end up spending $400-500 on repair to get moderately cool air, I would save up and spend the $1000 for cold air. Of course, it gets really hot around August in Texas.
D
Doc Rebuild
Guest
Sir,
Any C2 or C3 Corvette will blow cold and on R12 if the system if they are maintained, repaired and cleaned properly. The 2 main factors are as follows. 1) ensure the heat from the engine is prevented from transferring to the cockpit and 2) ensure the cold air blowing over the evaporator is not lost behind the dash. That is the entire secret: keep the hot air out and keep the cold air in. It’s true for any car. My old Vettes with AC will blow you away and they are stock.
When these systems age, the evaporator fins are often severely clogged with leaves, seeds, organic debris that has been sucked into the plenum.. The blower cannot blow anything over the core. No cold air will pass over the core.
Every dollar spent modifying a 53-82 Corvette is usually a dollar lost. I know, I know, many say they are “keeping it forever”, but realistically 99 percent get re-sold and when they do, those changes are often losses upon resale. On the other hand, that allows someone else to market the proper parts to the new owner.
Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more!
Any C2 or C3 Corvette will blow cold and on R12 if the system if they are maintained, repaired and cleaned properly. The 2 main factors are as follows. 1) ensure the heat from the engine is prevented from transferring to the cockpit and 2) ensure the cold air blowing over the evaporator is not lost behind the dash. That is the entire secret: keep the hot air out and keep the cold air in. It’s true for any car. My old Vettes with AC will blow you away and they are stock.
When these systems age, the evaporator fins are often severely clogged with leaves, seeds, organic debris that has been sucked into the plenum.. The blower cannot blow anything over the core. No cold air will pass over the core.
Every dollar spent modifying a 53-82 Corvette is usually a dollar lost. I know, I know, many say they are “keeping it forever”, but realistically 99 percent get re-sold and when they do, those changes are often losses upon resale. On the other hand, that allows someone else to market the proper parts to the new owner.
Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more!
J
joevette57
Guest
134 Freon
Living here in the South, A/C is very important. I want to end this myth once and for all about 134 not cooling as well as R-12. If the system conversion is done properly, 134 will cool everybit as well as R-12. And the A-6 compressor will work quite nicely. Most Vettes have good size condensors on them which is a neccesity for 134. If you have ANY doubts about your condensor, replace it. If you do replace it, replace with one made for 134. The fins are finer and more numerous. But if your old one is fine, use it.
You MUST use crimp connections to keep in the freon. The molecules of 134 are smaller and will leak through some of the old style connection. HOSE CLAMP connections are a no-no.+
As has been previously mentioned, proper flushing of old freon and oil is a must. I've owned 65, 69, and an 80 all with converted systems and all performed flawlessly.
Living here in the South, A/C is very important. I want to end this myth once and for all about 134 not cooling as well as R-12. If the system conversion is done properly, 134 will cool everybit as well as R-12. And the A-6 compressor will work quite nicely. Most Vettes have good size condensors on them which is a neccesity for 134. If you have ANY doubts about your condensor, replace it. If you do replace it, replace with one made for 134. The fins are finer and more numerous. But if your old one is fine, use it.
You MUST use crimp connections to keep in the freon. The molecules of 134 are smaller and will leak through some of the old style connection. HOSE CLAMP connections are a no-no.+
As has been previously mentioned, proper flushing of old freon and oil is a must. I've owned 65, 69, and an 80 all with converted systems and all performed flawlessly.
- Thread starter
- #10
Hi DOC good to see you here. I am experienced in A/C repair but my biggest curiosity at this time is the "upgrade" to a non-VIR condensor. The original system as I see it does not have an expansion valve but an orface with screen. The compressor does have a temp switch, can all this be eliminated? The car was in "rough" form when I purchased it, the system did not have any freon and I could only find a leak in one of the scroeder valves. (Used a rigged up guage set to inject shop air). I have purchased a new R6 compressor since the old one was frozen. I beleive it was in this condition from non use, no lubrication. This car had been setting in a storage facility for over ten years. Just to give an idea, I replaced the entire brake system, rebuilt the entire rearend, transmission, and engine. It now runs and drives but would like the A/C for the upcoming summer of fun.
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