A/C Help

[Lee 72]

My ac on my 74 hasn't worked since I bought the car. As a matter of fact the compressor has been disconected all this time.
Now I'm planning a complete overhaul of the engine and transmisson, so when I put it back together everything is fresh. So, I want to hook up the AC again only switch to the new R134.
Nows heres my question: Does anybody sell a complete kit for a Corvette?
And what componetes do you think that I need?

 

[john1977]

I had all of my 77s unhooked about 3 years ago while I was restoring the car. After engine and trans.were back in i didnt know whether the ac would work or not. Hooked it all back up vaccumed the system out,replaced with 134 and still working today,check it every spring and hasn't lost any. My only guestion is why was your compressor unhooked in the first place? If the compressor is ok I see no problems.

 

[nyernga]

you really should change the seals, compressor oil and metering device in the evaporator. The oil used for R-12 isn't compatible with 134....


Len

 

[celeryman22]

How do u know if your compressor is still working if it was disconnected when u got the car? Any tests? I will probably just buy a new one but I was just wondering.

 

[Lee 72]

I don't know if the compressor works or not. Had it hooked up once and used it but no cold air came out. Don't know if it has any refrigierant in it or not.

Don't know how to check any of those things.

 

[john1977]

Any auto parts store sells guages and they are not expensive. If the compressor runs its probably ok and had just leaked off the r12. Only other thing i did besides vaccuming out the system was replace the o-ring where the lines attach to the compressor. If you buy the r134 kit it comes with instuctions and the compressor oil. Anyone who does ac work can vaccum the system for you just leave it hooked up for a while to see if it holds and you have no leaks. If it wont hold vaccum you have a leak somewhere. Good luck!

 

[photovette]

Rebuilt R4 compressors can be found on Ebay in the $99 to $125 range.

Gauges are very over-priced at auto parts stores--go to a a/c & refrigeration parts house--you can buy a nice professional Yellow Jacket set of gauges for about $50. Plus, the gauges at a auto parts store may only have the R134a fittings--which won't fit on a C3.