converting to newer A/C system?

[50 Proof]

Does anyone know whats involved with converting to the newer type of A/C and how much it costs?

[negusm]

http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12853&highlight=disconnect

I would start there. FoxMustangRestoration seems to know what he's talking about.

I have heard of alot of "shortcuts" that work for some people. YMMV

-Mike

[50 Proof]

thanks for the link, i'm reading over it now.

[Capri50]

I just recently did this. I went a bit further than most would though. I decided to rebuild the compressor with all new seals/gaskets and the important shaft seal. I think I spent about $18 on the parts from acsource.com, all 134 compatible.

This way I was able to soak the internals in solvent to get rid of all the old oil. I also replaced the accumulator. most a/c techs will recommend replacement, because it's very difficult to get out all the old oil and condensation that is trapped in there from the years. They are still available NOS, but a little costly. ~$100.

I also replaced all the hoses and lines just because I was already there.

apparently contamination from the old oils to the new can lead to premature failure.

it does seem the shortcut folks always have some unforseen issues a few months down the road.

[roller4v]

I've done this twice both with drastically different methods. Both seemed to end with simular good results.

I'll leave the basic stuff to your research/reading but of course you will need a vacume pump and a set of gauges, and a set of special tools to pop the spring loaded fitting open on the A/C lines to replace the o-rings with the new "green" o rings.

The first conversion I opened up the system and Flushed everything filled back up oil put on a new compressor and dryer and charged it back up with R134a.

The second conversion I did was to go down to autozone and bought a "retro-fit" kit wich contained a can of oil/nuetralizer agent which supposidly corrected any incompatibity issues with the R12 oil. I didn't realy believe it would work but I had an extra compressor so I thru caution to the wind and tried it.... it worked except the conversion fittings that came with the kit leaked so I just pulled them off. I didn't even change the dryer!

I drove the car for about 8 months to a year after I did the conversion and the a/c was still cooling just fine at that time.

Steve

[Puter]

The parts list is *almost* correct except for the accumulator and hose assembly is different. Here's my writeup I did many years ago...

http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/general/R12-to-R134A-Conversion.html