Air Conditioning

[CS72Roadster]

Does anyone here do their on a/c work on their vehicles? I never have fooled with it, but need to replace the compressor on my '72. I am thinking it really can't be that difficult and was wondering if any of you can give some direction or should I just pay someone else to do it.

Thanks,
CS

 

[00ducati748]

air conditioning

I am a mechanic...I think you may be opening up a can of worms. First of all did the old compressor seize up? If it did than all the shavings from the old compressor would be in the entire a/c system...the hoses, condensor, evaporator and the accumolator. Don't waste your time and money on replaceing just the compressor without flushing the entire system out, otherwise the crap will get into the new compressor and ruin it. Unless you plan on spending alot of money to get it working again...you may want to live without a/c.

 

[RLE80L48]

Speaking about AC. Is it really that bad not to have it in these cars? Mine don't work and it will cost a small fortune to have it fixed up and changed over. Right now all its doing is taking up space and power. Thoughts on going without?????????

 

[Mike Carter]

hey,

I have a post on here about my AC issues. I've worked a year on mine, compressor change is not a complicated job, however what you do before and after may be. Mine has never worked correctly, if you want to eliminate it you had better live in cold climate, don't know about you but my wife won't ride with me in TX, I put a cheap thermometer in center dash, after correcting all vent problems, 140 degrees in 90 degree weather, vent position. I got good advice and am now thinking maybe an upgrade is best way to go, expensive but what ain't.

Mike

 

[69MyWay]

Ac systems on the C3 were never all that great.

What is interesting, is the Vintage Air unit I wedged into my car works 1,000 times better than the stock systems and is 1/4 the size!!!!!!!!!!

I do my own a/c work and will self admit I fit the pure definition of a shade tree mechanic. I use homemade equipment (vacuum pump made from an old house refridgerator) etc.

In fact, I am charging the a/c on TZracers www.tropiczoneracing.com 71 big block monster this weekend.

You don't have to be a rocket scientest to do a/c work...but you do have to be able to understand and appreciate the need for clean conditions, proper oils/chemicals, and tools.

I find a/c work one of the more rewarding things I can do to a car, because it is the one thing a car (at least in Florida) can actually do to please the senses regardless of the speed limit, or how fast the car is, shinny, etc. There is NOTHING like flicking on the a/c and getting frosty in a 100 degree day...and especially when you do it in the Vette.

BTW--CS, I tried emailing you back to let you know your Killer Light packet was "in the mail", but your Yahoo email is bouncing back to me. ????

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

C-3 A/C Units

Hi everybody: I'm with "69My Way" when it comes to C-3 A/C units. They're not really that great of a unit to begin with. I'm looking into doing an upgrade in my '72 coupe. I'll either put in a nice new vintage air system, or maybe a "southern air" unit (I'm checking into this unit right now). In some places in this great country of ours, it's literary impossible to go without A/C, so I know what that's like. I live in Michigan & here it doesn't get real hot for long periods of time. One can certainlly go without A/C. But, I figure if the car has A/C, it should be there & work. So, my advise is......if you're not too worried about being "pure stock", then an aftermarket A/C system is the only way to go. Now, if I could only get "69MyWay" to come up to Michigan, well, all would be right with the world.

Take care everybody & keep up the great work on this Forum!

Dave:

 

[CS72Roadster]

Compressor is still working but after charging it up the other day; there is a leak on the compressor. It was cooling, though. Does anyone know anything about these vacuum pumps they have on Ebay that hook up to an air compressor and will they work for a job like this? In Louisiana a/c is a must in the summer and I would like to get it working. I had a '69 w/o a/c and after selling it; I knew the next one would have to have a/c. Now, to get it working. I had an '81 (new) and don't remember it having any problems cooling, but that was a long tiime ago and i was much younger. Now I need the a/c!

As far as the yahoo email; it should work. I checked my profile and the addy is correct. Must have been a yahoo problem.

CS

 

[Vader]

Air-operated vacuum pumps wil only draw down to about 18" Hg. While that is "adequate" in EPA terms to be considered evacuated, you can still have moisture in the oil, which is not adequate for an operational system. Repair or replace the compressor. Draw a 26" vacuum at a minimum, and hold it as long as you can to remove all system moisture. Charge with oil and R-12 or R-414b. Forget about R-134A in an older system not designed for it. You'll have marginal cooling at best, and no cooling at higher ambient temperatures - when you really need it.

Good luck finding a reman replacement for an old swash-plate compressor. You may be special ordering it.

 

[71LS5]

I had my comprerssor rebuilt by some guys over in Ft Worth. They did a heck of a job and that puppy cools great now. If you are going to open the system you should replace the dryer while you are at it. The dryer will run you about $50 and the rebuild will be a couple of hundred. THe company is called Old Air Products. They took about 2 weeks to rebuild the compressor. They advertise in Hemmings. Good luck which ever way you go.

 

[Mike Carter]

Vintasge Air has a link that downloads all dealers in your state, by talking to some of the folks, I found out not only do threy deal "Vintage Air' they service old AC units, it helped me to find someone local.

Mike

 

[cscarlson]

Did mine last year on my 1980... changed the compressor, a/c lines/ accumulator ...was difficult doing the accumulator because of the spot it sits in... i had to remove the hood to do the a/c lines though...