One of my winter projects

[detmatt]

Has begun. I'm yanking The tired 383 in my vert for a rebuild and the trans needs gone through too. My question for the many air conditioning enthusiasts on the board is what exactly do I need to do to get my system converted to today's refrigerant and what is that refrigerant??? I'm completely in the dark on this as I really have no interest in it but since its original to the car and the car is very rare I figure not only should it be there but it should work as well. I know an attempt was made to recharge the system some years ago and it didn't hold the charge, it barely let out a puff when I took the compressor off but it spins freely and I think would work as is if it held the charge. Any and all info and tips would be much appreciated. I'm shooting for factory fresh under the hood.

 

[commando1]

Matt, the first question is, do you want to stay original with the RV2 compressor or do you want the A/C to work like a modern system using a Sanden.
That's the major issue to me.

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[detmatt]

Needs to look original, that's most important to me.

 

[commando1]

Ok. Does that then mean staying with the stock (and inadequate for R134A) condenser also?

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[Zymurgy]

Looking forward to seeing your work progress.

 

[tallhair]

Ok. Does that then mean staying with the stock (and inadequate for R134A) condenser also?

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How many ways does he need to say it needs to look stock which means the major equipment has to be stock

Just kidding .. I'll let Matt answer for himself

 

[Fratzog]

Congrats Matt on trying to stay original.

 

[detmatt]

Ok. Does that then mean staying with the stock (and inadequate for R134A) condenser also?

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That's exactly what it means Stan. I personally will probably not use it once, I just want it to work.

 

[1978 NYB]

The original RV2 compressor and condenser's work fine.

I would have the hoses rebuilt. If you can't find a place locally I have a shop in Delaware (Benz Hydraulics) that will get them done in a day. You need a new receiver drier and an expansion valve. You need to replace all the O-rings with green ones. You'll need 2 new metal gaskets for the compressor. NAPA and AZ have a 2 gasket kit....they might have to order it. NAPA had them in the store in Aberdeen. You need to get a can of flush and run it through the system. Use Ester oil. Vacuum it down and see if it holds for 30 minutes. Figure out what the original R-12 capacity and fill with 80% of that amount of R134A.

Result.....38 degrees at the center vent.

 

[commando1]

Ok. Does that then mean staying with the stock (and inadequate for R134A) condenser also?

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How many ways does he need to say it needs to look stock which means the major equipment has to be stock [iurl="http://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42063&d=1401098920&d=1401098920"]

[/iurl]

Just kidding .. I'll let Matt answer for himself

Do you want to to use 134A or R12 then.
Don't want to lose a tenth of a point in judging....

J/K. I get the point. They were questions that needed to be asked and because they were, we now know...

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[polo62]

what kind of car is it?

 

[detmatt]

That sounds easy enough, thanks Bob!

 

[detmatt]

Do you want to to use 134A or R12 then.
Don't want to lose a tenth of a point in judging....

J/K. I get the point. They were questions that needed to be asked and because they were, we now know...

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To be honest I don't have any use for judging but my goal is to have everything working on this car as it should, the car deserves it.

 

[detmatt]

what kind of car is it?

1971 Challenger.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Matt I agree with Bob and his list. Only 2cents I would add is change the sharader valves also and I did not like the way the replacement dryer looked and it was not correct fittings there maybe more correct one availible, I just took the hard way out and sweated the original dryer apart cut the replacement one stole the guts for original and brazed it back together. My system has been holding pressure for 3 seasons with a repaired condenser.

 

[1978 NYB]

I forgot to add the R134A conversion adapters on the low and high side so you can hook up the R134A gauges and fill the system.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I forgot to add the R134A conversion adapters on the low and high side so you can hook up the R134A gauges and fill the system.

For a real stock look just leave them off but you will have to buy or borrow the equipment because a shop will have to put 134a connections on it.

 

[commando1]

Matt, in all seriousness, you can get a rebuilt compressor from advance for under ~$115.00.
It's a ***** to charge the system and to then find out you need one. ASMHIK.

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[detmatt]

That's good to know Stan, thanks. I'll definitely consider that in the process.

 

[Samplingman]

If this is the original compressor to the car, I'd be afraid of getting a rebuilt unit that wasn't "date correct", but then again that may not be a consideration for the project.