Celebrating a special "what I got done" tonight

[DetroitIron]

After several weeks or research and ordering parts, I finished my stock AC project tonight and took it for a test ride. While not my daily driver, it sure is nice to feel 42 degree air conditioning blowing out my vents....I could not have done it without this site and the wonderful people on it. No more driving to the lake on the highway with the windows down and sweating.....lol :-)

[WarBeard]

Heck yeah! Makes it feel like a brand new truck now don't it?

[northeimcustom]

lake michigan? here on the west side of the lake ac isnt needed ! but its always super nice to have! congrats!

[Car'n'Guitars]

You got it fixed in time for the temperatures to drop down in the 80's-90's. But congrats on your work.

[HotRodScottsdale]

This site has helped me in more ways then I can count, many thank you's to all the square experts helping us in times of need!!
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[gramps77]

Originally Posted by DetroitIron

After several weeks or research and ordering parts, I finished my stock AC project tonight and took it for a test ride. While not my daily driver, it sure is nice to feel 42 degree air conditioning blowing out my vents....I could not have done it without this site and the wonderful people on it. No more driving to the lake on the highway with the windows down and sweating.....lol :-)

so what EXACTLY did you do? my A6 compressor is DONE but everything else is intact......but very curious to know what you did.

[1bad87]

Originally Posted by gramps77

so what EXACTLY did you do? my A6 compressor is DONE but everything else is intact......but very curious to know what you did.

x2 lets us know

[DetroitIron]

Originally Posted by gramps77

so what EXACTLY did you do? my A6 compressor is DONE but everything else is intact......but very curious to know what you did.

Originally Posted by 1bad87

x2 lets us know

Guys, I wish I could say it was something simple or quick....I decided not to leave any part of the 27 year old stock ac system to chance. First, I purchased an AC manifold gauge set from Advance Auto and a nice little vacumn compressor from my local Harbor Freight. Pulled a vacumn to 29 Hg for an hour on the old system and let it sit...system lost pressure in 20 mins and I noticed the tell tale oil/dust stain on the underside of the hood above the compressor to tell me the ac compressor was shot. I then purchased the following ac parts from Advance Auto/NAPA:

• R4 Four Seasons Compressor (AA) $170
• Condensor (NAPA) $140
• Evaporator (AA) $80
• Dryer (AA) $30
• Variable Orifice Tube (AA) $15
• Green O Ring Kit (AA) $5
• New Air Hose Assembly (AA) $75

Took all the old parts off and installed the new parts coating orings with PAG150 ac oil and added 8oz back into the new system (dryer and compressor) Tip: I did not have to drain or remove the radiator....just removed the top bolts/brackets and gently tilted the radiator with the fan shroud removed while my song slid the old condensor out and put the new one in. Pulled a vacumn for 1 hour and let it set....held right at 29 hg all night. Next, I added a can of R134 with the engine running and ac set on MAX and fan on high with a temp gauge placed in the middle vent. Added 80% of the original R12 charge....Vent temps stopped dropping at 42 degrees after roughly 3.75 cans of r134. That was it and have been enjoying the cool and comfortable rides for the past few weeks with wife and daughter to the lake and errands. With highway speeds and high 80s/low 90s ambient temp, I can get to 40 degree vent temp air...burr. I will say the ac does strain the motor at start up before the high idle solenoid kicks in. Great learning experience, but now I have the neighbors asking me to get their ac working on their 5-10 yr old vehicles.... :-)
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

I wonder if the giant tube compressor on my 77 can be found anywhere less than $300 dollars. Driving my truck in the summer down here really sucks butt.

[J Knight]

If I read it right, you mixed 20% R134 and 80% R12? I thought these to were not compatable together.

[gGMC DOG]

When you mix R-12 and R-134a together, you'll form an azeotrope with totally different chemical and physical properties than either parent compound
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azeotrope

[WarBeard]

He did not mix them. It took 80% of 134a to equal the amount of r-12 that would have been required.

So it takes less 134a to do the same job as r-12.

[gGMC DOG]

I wasnt saying he mixed them. Just that what you get when you do.

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by motomech

He did not mix them. It took 80% of 134a to equal the amount of r-12 that would have been required.

So it takes less 134a to do the same job as r-12.

That makes much more sence.

[WarBeard]

Originally Posted by gGMC DOG

I wasnt saying he mixed them. Just that what you get when you do.

Was talking to J Knight. But thanks for the science lesson

[DetroitIron]

Originally Posted by motomech

He did not mix them. It took 80% of 134a to equal the amount of r-12 that would have been required.

So it takes less 134a to do the same job as r-12.

Exactly...guess i could have made that read a little clearer..so far this has been a good summer to have the ac working even though MI heat is not even close to what is normal heat in the West and Southwest... :-)
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[gGMC DOG]

Originally Posted by motomech

Was talking to J Knight. But thanks for the science lesson

your welcome lol

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

I wonder if the giant tube compressor on my 77 can be found anywhere less than $300 dollars. Driving my truck in the summer down here really sucks butt.

I have a good one over here in Richardson. You are welcome to it if you want to come get it.