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Does my procedure to convert back to R12 sound right?

92470 on Thu July 23, 2009 3:30 PM User is offline

Year: 1987
Make: Chevrolet
Model: V10 Pickup
Engine Size: 350
Refrigerant Type: R134
Country of Origin: United States

I have a 1987 Chevy 4X4 1/2 ton pickup that I just bought. The former owner told me the a/c didn’t work prior to the sale and he had it ”converted to R134”a week before I bought it. I have done a couple of conversions the right way a few years ago on 71’ and 72’ Chevy trucks and can tell from looking at my truck that all the shop did was dump some R134 in it and call it good (lines obviously have never been off). It blows cool, but the compressor is howling and I know that it wasn’t done right. I want to fix it the right way and figure since I will be spending the money, I might as well convert it back to R12. This is the procedure I want to do and please let me know if this is correct:

Evacuate R134 from system. Remove the compressor, accumulator, and orifice tube (junk them). Flush all lines, condenser, and evaporator core with mineral spirits. Make sure all spirits are out and system is dry. Then fill with compressor with 8 oz mineral oil, reassemble with new compressor, accumulator, o-rings, and orifice tube and put on vacuum. Assuming there are no leaks and it’s holding a vacuum, then add my 48 oz of R12 with gauges to make sure all is good. By the way, the lines and condensor look great. Does this sound correct to all? Any comments and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated. This sounds and will hopefully be easier than the older systems with having to adjust the POA and all that nonsense. Thanks! John

Chick on Thu July 23, 2009 5:40 PM User is offlineView users profile

That is the right way, no doubt about it.. It's hard to find people willing to spend the money for R12, so if they retrofit, we do try to help them, but you seem to be on the right track.. E-mail the guys at Ackits.com for prices on everything you will need from the compressor to the oil and O rings... Good luck...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Dave in Texas on Fri July 24, 2009 8:17 AM User is offlineView users profile

The nagging problem I have with keeping my Truck R12 is if something leaks. At 15yrs I had to replace the OEM evaporator due to a leak. R12 leaks are very expensive. When my trucks' compressor dies, I'm converting to 134a. I converted my DeVille to 134a 12+yrs ago and I've been very satisfied with the result.

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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!

92470 on Fri July 24, 2009 11:52 AM User is offline

First off, thanks for the suggestions and advice. You know, the more I think about it, the expense end of R12 if you have a leak is dead on. I would rather have a system where if I have a slow leak I could fill for $15.00 vs. $80.00.

Teetering her, what oil could I use that would be compatitible with R134 and R12 if I changed my mind? And, dumb question but if I replace with a OEM spec replacement compressor, orifice tube, and accumulator, will those be fine for R134 use? Orifice tube mainly I'm thinking would be different?

Final question, would I use the same rule as in an old system conversion where I start with 80% R134 to factory R12 fill and go from there? Again, maybe I will regret saying this later, but this sytem looks much easier to convert and be effective than the old POA systems.

Any answers, advice, and comments are appreciated!!

Dave in Texas on Fri July 24, 2009 12:31 PM User is offlineView users profile

I used the White tube originally, but when I changed engines, I installed the Blue tube. The Blue seems to do a better job. I believe all new or reman compressors are good with either refrigerant. Same goes for new accumulators. There may be an oil that is rated for either, but I don't know.

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At 2, I went home with a 10. At 10 I woke up with a 2 !!

Chick on Fri July 24, 2009 5:26 PM User is offlineView users profile

Use can use BVA auto 100 with both R12 and R134a..hope this helps...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

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