Having installed a Vintage Air system in 1 car, & "factory" systems in 2
cars, I would like to make a suggestion or 2. If revamping them is a DIU
project, first pay a shop to leak test your system. Very frustrating to
fill with oil & refrigerent, only to find it has leaked out in a few
days/weeks & you have to refill.
The common man cannot buy R-12, but it is readily available at a
licensed shop, & the price has gone down from a year or so ago. If your
system is leak free, R-12 may be the easiest way to go.
R-134 systems use "barrier" hoses, since R134 can leak through the old
type of hose. Smaller molecules or some such. If you convert to R134,
consider replacing the hoses, which are pretty old by now. Earlier, it
was recommended to replace the expansion control valve with one specific
for R134. I do not know if this is still a recommendation, read the info
on your conversion kit before purchase, try NAPA for replacement valve,
if required. It is a real pain to replace due to the location, I seem to
remember removing the complete under dash unit to get to it, not a job
for the faint of heart.
Jim Stuart
2 V-8's, no dollars or sense
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