AC renew in process - need advice. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CCCC · 04-27-2013, 10:16 PM

Am renewing a 1970 GMC 3500 factory air setup. The compressor was disabled (no belt) when I got it. I do not know much about AC and have never done a fix like this. The current compressor will turn by hand, so am figuring that it did not break apart inside.

Am tempted to replace the compressor, clutch and receiver dryer and have the rebuilt compressor filled with with oil compatible with 134a and go with that refrigerant - not try to go back to R12.

Questions:
Does that plan make sense? Any cautions in 134A?
Any other components a guy should replace, to be certain?
Any other "be aware" issues with 1970 factory air?
Where is the best place to get such components - local parts place or specialty/online?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

ole dollor · 04-27-2013, 10:27 PM

the first thing is to see what is good and does it still have any freon in it, the compressor may just be bad, also the dryer may be bad, it may just be low on freon. sandon makes a great compressor that is a lot better and cheaper , and you should be able to bolt up to your brackets with a little mods. clean out all the old oil out of the system and put 134a freon and oil in. good luck on your a/c..

tinsoldier · 04-27-2013, 10:42 PM

Make sure you replace the expansion valve. They are cheap and most of the time are clogged up.

04-27-2013, 10:16 PM	#1
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	AC renew in process - need advice. Am renewing a 1970 GMC 3500 factory air setup. The compressor was disabled (no belt) when I got it. I do not know much about AC and have never done a fix like this. The current compressor will turn by hand, so am figuring that it did not break apart inside. Am tempted to replace the compressor, clutch and receiver dryer and have the rebuilt compressor filled with with oil compatible with 134a and go with that refrigerant - not try to go back to R12. Questions: Does that plan make sense? Any cautions in 134A? Any other components a guy should replace, to be certain? Any other "be aware" issues with 1970 factory air? Where is the best place to get such components - local parts place or specialty/online? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

04-27-2013, 10:27 PM	#2
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: AC renew in process - need advice. the first thing is to see what is good and does it still have any freon in it, the compressor may just be bad, also the dryer may be bad, it may just be low on freon. sandon makes a great compressor that is a lot better and cheaper , and you should be able to bolt up to your brackets with a little mods. clean out all the old oil out of the system and put 134a freon and oil in. good luck on your a/c..

04-27-2013, 10:42 PM	#3
tinsoldier Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Peachtree Corners, GA Posts: 84	Re: AC renew in process - need advice. Make sure you replace the expansion valve. They are cheap and most of the time are clogged up.



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