I have a 84 and was wondering about the a.c. It should use r13? right? Newer cars use r134a? can you mix them. or can I mpty the compressor and then use 134a? Or is there a conversion kit? Would it be exspensive or should I just pull it off to eliminate the weight?

 

Resist converting to r134. R12 is better, and it IS available for older cars that were OEMed with R12. R12 works better, and r134 is a mixed compound and some of the gases deteriorate faster than others. Many people will try to get you to change, but it's an expense and a nuisance to convert, and your AC won't works as well.

B

 

Most folks here would likely advise you to shed the weight. However, I'm a WUSS and like my cold air on hot summer days. So, I had a AC that was completely drained, I got a 134A kit from Walmart. Worked fine. I understand it's a good idea to replace the drier, though.
Do a "search' on AC, you'll find more tips.

 

Oh yeah, have a real AC/radiator guy charge the system for you - those cheap kits don't work.

B

 

Worked for me, granted I only used the AC 4 or 5 times max (didn't like the power drop on the ol' 12A).
I may be doing that to my current SE, what are the long term problems with doing the el-cheapo 134 kit?

 

I'd advise you not to shed the weight unless you enjoy driving in the summer without A/C. That's one thing that's never coming out of my car.

 

Yeah, no A/C in the summer is a real bitch. I had to deal with that all of last summer while I was working on other things on my car. I finally got it fixed by having a local shop fabricate a new high-side hose for the car, and then using one of those Walmart R134a conversion/charge kits. Seems to work fine, although I would say that it doesn't blow air as cold as I'd like it to. One of these days I might spend the money and switch back to the good stuff (at $70 a pound for 3 pounds), instead of taking the cheap-and-easy route, but at least I have a working A/C.

 

I researched this pretty thoroughyly last summer, then had a good local guy recharge with r12 for $170. Don't recollect the details, but I'm not sure you can switch back, and 134 won't blow as cold (the AC on cars the last few years are specially designed for 134). aCTUALLY, YOU'RE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO USE THE OLD R12.

b

 

wow.. and i just yanked all of my ac from the firewall forward on sunday afternoon...saved some weight and the system was open for 2 yrs anyways.. I'll use the new car on hot days...

 

I switched to the new R134a last summer and it took 15 minutes to convert with a $35 kit and a thermometer and it cools as well as R12. One must have AC in the South. Now I can easily add freon to the car whenever it needs it and not have to pay ever escalating amounts. This option is cheaper and works just as well. I had the Goodyear shop evacuate the R12 so as to not leak it into the atmosphere and destroy the ozone so precious to the global warming environmental whackos bent on eliminating fossil fuels and capitalism.

 

use the r134 kit.. it works pretty good and does not cost to much to convert.
R12 is getting really $$$ to find in some places.

later