Help me decide on the AC system

[Eddie H.]

Originally Posted by davepl

I'm up against a few walls here: oil in the compressor, never flushed the lines, I think I got all of the o-rings but can't be sure, and the compressor is an old original (actually a 'new' rebuilt original from LMC, but how good that is I don't know).

Since I'm using all era-correct hardware, I think I'll stick era-correct R12. Especially the leak thing worries me (smaller molecules?)

But what is this "RED TEK" stuff that claims to be "both":

Amazon.com: RED TEK 12a Refrigerant 20 Lb Cylinder (60 Lb Equiv): Automotive

I'd buy a cylinder of R12 and haul it in with me, as $272 doesn't seem bad, but I can't even tell if it's real R12, so likely just leave it up to the HVAC guy to source it.

I think I would stay away from the Red TEK stuff as well, since Genuine R12 is still readily available. The last R12 AC system I rebuilt was on a 71 GMC. It had been open and inoperative with parts missing for 20 years. I just flushed out the evaporater and condenser, replaced the hoses and drier, put on a Delco reman A6 compressor, leak tested and charged with R12, and it has been operating perfectly for a year now.