I am considering eventually installing a self contained,60's vintage, NOS after-market AC under the dash of my truck.Are the modern refrigerants o.k. to use in it,or is my venture doomed to failure?Where would the compressor mount?It seems to me I've seen the alternator moved to the driver side,and the compressor placed on the passenger side.Can the older refrigerant still be had?Thanks,Steve.

I know that in the case of newer ac systems, like the one on my 88 Firebird, it is a matter of purging the system of the old refrigerant, replacing some seals with some that are compatible with the new stuff, and filling the system with the new stuff.

It's probably the same for the older stuff. I doubt the original refrigerant is available. The original stuff for the Firebird is hard to come by. It's been replaced with the newer stuff due to the EPA (or a similar organization). I bet you need a license for purchasing hazardous materials from the 6th dimension twice removed from that which we perceive as reality, whatever that may be, in order to purchase it.

What did they use for refrigerant back then?


Lawrenceville, GA

I had my 85 Mercedes updated with the new stuff. No problems! They have changed the formula over the years to make it friendlier. Old style refrigerant may still be found but is super expensive! Go with the update. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Compressor design has change alot since the 60s, the 80s design are pretty much like today's compressor, i believe its called the rotary vane compressor, but the 60s era uses piston type compressor that are similar to your shop air compressor, I don't know if R134A will work with those compressor efficiently, also, I really doubt the hose will be up to the task in keeping the refrigerant in the system, ideally you want the new barrier hose with R134A



the oil is also different, you cannot mix the oil, or refrigerant, or it will damage the system.



so to make this work, make sure all the old oil and refrigerant is completely out of the system, I also recommend flushing the system since its close to 50 years old, even if it was not used, a little dirt/corrosion/moisture will kill your system fast, you need the correct oil for r134a, new hose design for 134a, new seal designed for 134a, new receiver/drier for 134a.



and you will need a pressure chart to charge correctly, R134a performs poorly when overcharged or undercharged even slightly





Yes you need a license to purchase R12, I have that but never need to use it, as the stuff is insanely expensive, like 40 dollars for a small can

I had mine done at a local shop. Your correct a complete flush and clean is needed. Also the R134 will have very slow leaks even in a good older system. It cost me around $150 to have the work done as compared to $120 for an R12 recharge!

I have a T-Bird A/C kit that came with the new style rotary pump so I don't expect any problems to add it to my Vicky. Biggest problem is working out the belt arrangement due to my McCullouch supercharger. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

The best way to answer this question is by deferring to the experts, who also give free technical advice:
http://www.classicautoair.com/Other_Models_Air_Conditioning_AC.html
I have purchased two systems from this company, and am pleased.  That's my only contact with them.
It seems, every time 'they' change refrigerant, it becomes a little more environmentally friendly, but efficiency goes WAY down.

Remember those old refrigerators that refused to die back in the 40's and 50's?  They had one motor (the compressor), the condenser coils were always on the back, and the evaporator was the freezer, mounted high in the fridge for convection.  They lasted forever.

The refrigerant was ammonium-dioxide (ammonia), and efficiency is so high, huge malls use it today.  Ammonia is toxic, so it can’t be in a confined space like your house or car.  Malls compress ammonium dioxide outside, then transfer the cool to salt water (saline solution) pipes that carry it to fan stations inside the people-area.

R-12, a non-flammable hydrocarbon, works ok, but isn’t nearly as efficient, and is strictly controlled by the EPA, requiring a license to purchase.  It didn't start out that way.

The ‘new’ R-134a barely allows car companies to guarantee 40*F at the registers, but it is politically correct (for now).

Your cooling system is just that, a tuned system.  The orifice and lines are engineered for a specific refrigerant.  There are conversion kits available that seem to work (at first), but do not offer longevity because of incompatibility with older systems.  The best advice is to call the experts who warranty their products.  They make and sell systems to hot-rodder’s and can help you set-up yours.  - Dave

Royal Oak, Michigan (Four miles north of Detroit, and 12 miles NORTH of Windsor, Canada).  That's right, we're north of Canada.

Ford 292 Y-Block major overhaul by simplyconnected

Thanks for all the input.The unit is NOS,and I plan on having it gone through to make any changes/upgrades that are necessary.I would really like the luxury of cold air,think the new motor mctim is building won't be robbed of too much power/mpg,and don't want to pay for an expensive system from Vintage Air,or the like.Plus,I like the vintage look.I guess my best bet will be to take it to place that specializes in auto air and let them handle it.Steve

There shouldn't be that much problem changing to R134a. You will have to purge the compressor and charge it with ester oil. You will probably want to have new hoses made anyway. New Hoses and a new seal on the compressor shaft will make it as leakproof as any new system. As far as piston type compressors, they are still used in many over the road trucks. You will probably want to put in a new expansion valve any way. R134 does better with a larger evaporator coil than R12 needed, but it it will work with the original evaporator. We changed a lot of R12 systems to R134A in the 90's. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to do it.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Fortunately the ester bunny will be around soon


Lawrenceville, GA

We just got some new M915A4 military Freightliners, they were rebuilt by the Texas National Guard rebuild site. These are new glider kits from Freightliner with 350 Cummings engines. The odd thing is that the AC ( yes for you old vets, we have AC and auto transmissions now) compressors are the old style York compressors that were used in the 60's. They are charged with 134A and everthing looks just like the old systems that had R12 back in the day. If recharging an old system, I would think that it would be a good idea to replace the dryer and all hoses, but I don't see why it wont work.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL