Topic: 66 air conditioning conversion

[Mitchjd2]

Hi There,
Need advice please.  I have factory air on my 66 coupe.  It blows but not cold air.  My mechanic just tested it and told me he recommends replacing the compressor and receiver/dryer.

I have several questions.  Should I replace with original/reproduction parts to keep it original or upgrade the the new stuff and use R134?
He says the cost is the same either way.  He wants about $1000 to do it.  My second question is, Is this a good price?

If not, can you recommend anyone in the Southern California are who could do it for less?

Thanks in advance,

Mitch

[Soaring]

Since 134A is the only legal freon you can get today, you need to upgrade to the system that willl run on it.  As far as the system, the best compressor is the Sanden, and a few companies carry kits for that conversion.  One is ClassicAir, and the other is VintageAir.  Do some research with those two companies.  If you have any wrenching skills at all, you can install the system yourself, and have an aircon company flush and install the freon.
Now, you can keep that old York compressor and have it converted to the R134A system, but it is most likely on it's last leg, so I would recommend replacing the entire system with new parts if you can afford it, otherwise you will just be throwing good money after bad.  The average labor cost of replacing the compressor that you have bought and recharging the system is about 375  bux.

[Tim175]

I would agree on the self install. Labor fees are huge these days you can save a lot of money doing it yourself if you have the tools, and know how.

[Jeff73Mach1]

another consideration is that 134A really doesn't cool as well as R 12 unless the condensor is changed out to one with more capacity.

134A is not the only freon/R 12 substitute and there are some that work remarkably well.  Take a look at this.  A friend used it recently and his AC is now far better than even when his truck was new

http://www.freeze12.com/

[Soaring]

I wonder why the fittings have to be changed Jeff?  That is the expensive part. 

[Jeff73Mach1]

There are cheap adapter fittings that go on over R 12 fittings.  The fitting change is to keep the EPA happy.  The new replacement refrigerants have to meet a different standard with the replacement fittings than with the original.  I am led to understand the fitting change has no other purpose