a/c recharge?

[SkylineNXS]

Hey guys, hows it goin. I was wonderin, i have an 87 chevy sb short and the ac not exactly cold as it could be, i was wondering if i can use the r134 recharge kits u can buy at autozone and other places? I attached the pic that shows the ac stuff, or at least part of it. Cant i just hook the recharge kit to the air compressor type fitting on the ac? Thanks...call me out if im totally wrong about this, never had to deal with a/c ont he 66 or 72, lol...

BRAD

[gezn2]

The fitting on the R134 kit is going to be the wrong size, and there's a reason for that
Your old R12 system isn't going to work on the new stuff without some updates, R12 is around yet but it's getting pricey as they're not making it anymore
In your shoes I'd try to find a clueful amateur AC guy with a set of R12 gages, if you take it to a Pro they're going to have to use their high-dollar recovery equipment on it in addition to what the R12 and whatever repair you need will cost. They're not doing it just to gouge you, the EPA will smack them with big fines and paperwork hell if they get caught handling refrigerant in ways not according to chapter-and-verse

[gchemist]

You might as well convert to R134. I just had custom hoses made, new compressor, accumulator, orfice tube, and small mics parts. $418.00 Plus recharge cost.

[SkylineNXS]

Wo, pricey stuff, dang. Ill have to save up for those, ill probably just convert to r134, but what does that really intail? IIs it just replacing the stuff u stated? Thanks guys...

BRAD

[454HO]

Maybe my eyes are bad, but from the pic above it looks like your truck has already been converted to R134a. The fitting on the receiver/dryer seems to be a quick connect instead of a schrader valve.

So assuming it is converted, you may have other problems besides just being low on refrigerant. You say it is cooling, but not as much as you would like or expect??? That is actually normal for R134a conversions in my experiance.

I would suggest you first make sure the condensor fins are clean and straight and that you have maximum airflow over it. You may even need to add an auxilliary electric fan in front of the condensor to increase airflow.

If that is okay, then you need to get some pressure gauges and see what the pressures are doing before you can diagnose what the problem may be. With R134a, having too much in the system is actually worse than having not enough.

[84 400]

Something i was thinking about as well. although I am pretty sure I have R12. Not to hijack but I am gonna throw a picture of mine in if someone could give me an idea if it is intact R12. My dads friend said that he can get it but it is pricey stuff that you need a licenses for. Might try ebay as my friend has had luck on there in the past. We don't really ever use AC here but would be nice to have working. On my friends truck it was the O rings on his compressor that had leaked (gotta pull off the clutch pull and they are right there). For the A/C people does running a system that needs to be recharged hurt it? Like I said I don't use it here but i know mine got its fair share of action in Texas and after the motor swap never got recharged.

[gchemist]

Do the low side and high side pressure ports have adaptors too? If so, then your truck may be running R134.
I don't know if you can get away with changing the compressor oil for a conversion.
Parts needed: accumulator, orfice tube, R134 oil, alcohol to blow down the condensor and evaporator. New o-rings should be installed. Using your current compressor alone will save you $200+.
I used an original compressor with new oil for a R134 conversion. It worked great until I blew out a fitting. The fitting was a R134 adaptor. I had it recharged with R134 but removed the fittings.

Here are pictures of my custom hoses. Hoses have R134 ports. The accumulator is also converted to R134 connections. A stock lower hose was used to fit the accumulator in the stock location.



Here is a good write up for a conversion.

[SkylineNXS]

Does anyone know if i can rent gauges from like autozone or something?

BRAD

[76PasoGMC]

Not to hijack but do they make "kits" to convert to R134a. I have a 76 AC cab I am using and will need to convert it. My brother in law is an AC guy so getting the labor done is no prob. I just need to know what parts I will need. I am going to use all the old parts (compressor, etc. ) I can.

Can someone help me?

Thanks Tony

[75sierraclassic]

I just replaced my accumulator and I got one from O'rielys for around 20-30 bucks.

[gchemist]

Orfice tube, accumulator and oil are the essentials. O-rings for security against a leak. Use plenty of oil to flush the compressor. Flush the condensor and evaporator with alcohol and air.