And three out of five technicians did not know mixing R-12 and R-134a could cause problems. Fix the leak correctly and charge it with R12. As long as the A/C system has no leaks and it cooling normally, there is no need to convert from R-12 to the new "ozone safe" R-134a refrigerant. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! Every evaporator unit, electrical part down to... Look no further than Classic Auto Air for your Porsche 911 Air Conditioning System. It takes some searching, but these detailed bulletins are still available on the various OEM Technical Service websites, most of which charge a fee to access. This includes original equipment compressors such as Tecumseh HR980, some Keihin compressors and some Panasonic rotary valve style compressors on older Japanese cars. Follow our step-by-step instructions, and if you get into a jam, just give us a call. Your email address will not be published. The older a vehicle gets, the more it depreciates. Perfect air conditioning conversion adapter kit. If you have questions about converting your classic ride’s air conditioning system from R12 to R134a, feel free to contact Classic Auto Air for more information. Flammable refrigerants do not meet the EPA's criteria for environmental acceptability or safety. Many owners will not put any more money into an older vehicle unless the repairs are absolutely necessary to keep it running. A good starting point for charging 134a on your freshly converted system is typically about 70% … Classic Auto Air has always taken pride in the fact we have an extensive quality control process. Since then, the industry standard has been R134a, which is an efficient replacement. However, there are a variety of alternative refrigerants that meet EPA SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) rules for environmental acceptance. R12 to r134a weight conversion chart There are two ways to convert the old R12 car system to R134a: factory method and easy method. Even then, it may be less expensive to get rid of the vehicle or to junk it than to fix it up. Federal law also requires the permanent installation of R-134a fittings on the high and low service ports to reduce the chance of refrigerant cross-contamination the next time the vehicle is serviced. Compressor durability can be a concern on some older applications. By the time it is 15 or more years old, it may only be worth a few hundred dollars. High side and low side adapters to convert your fittings from R12 to R134A. convert your Ford R12 air conditioning system to 134a, convert GM R12 air conditioning system to 134a, convert MOPAR R12 air conditioning system to 134a, Volkswagen Porsche 911 Air Conditioning System, Six-Steps – Hand Charging A Fixed Displacement Compressor with 134a. The EPA says a spark from a cigarette or a switch could ignite leaking refrigerant causing an explosion and fire. On these, the compressor must be replaced. MACs did a field survey of older vehicles with R-12 A/C systems a number of years ago, and here is what they found: The same survey also revealed that only one out of 10 technicians in the U.S. knew about EPA SNAP rules, the Significant New Alternatives Policy regulations that prohibit refrigerant venting, require recovery and recycling, prohibit the intermixing of different refrigerants or the use of flammable refrigerants. I have a 1984 Chevy C10 Scottsdale that uses R12. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Typical 134a charge rate will be approximately 70-80% of the factory R12 charge amount. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you were to put R1234yf in a system designed for R134a, it looks like you'd end up with about a 10% loss of cooling capacity, but putting R134a into a R1234yf system would be a wash. flammable reffrigerants are illegal because the EPA says they pose a significant fire danger to a vehicle's occupants should a leak occur. Parts are just part of what we do. Click Here for an example of Toyota's TSB that covers R-12 to R-134a retrofits on their vehicles. The molecule size of R134a is smaller than that of R12, so there was concern that R134a could leak out through the hoses and flare fittings that R12 systems used. Why does my A6 compressor keep leaking & slinging oil? This European vehicle kit is complete and contains what you’ll need to get modern day, high performance A/C into your... Universal Slim Line AC Controller by Classic Auto Air is a perfect choice for your vehicle. Most experts also recommend installing an in-line filter (high side and/or low side) to protect the replacement compressor and orifice tube or expansion valve. For one, it will increase the system operating pressure. Our Retrofit Kits will update your older vehicle’s refrigerant from R-12 to R-134a, making your system cost-effective, colder and environmentally friendly. There are also filter screens that can be installed in the suction line to prevent any debris from reentering the compressor, too. We are focusing on the A6 because it is notorious for leaking, but our advice here applies to... Customers often ask whether or not they need to add oil to an air conditioning compressor they purchase from us. Working with vintage auto air conditioning systems is a labor of love for us and we like to share tips and tricks-of-the-trade for maintaining these old systems. Since then, the industry standard has been R134a, which is an efficient replacement. Ignore your sight-glass. One way to improve cooling performance when retrofitting an older R-12 system to R-134a is to install a "variable valve" orifice tube in place of the standard fixed orifice tube. Whether you need to convert a Ford, GM, or MOPAR classic from R12 to R134a, two helpful tips to keep in mind…. A properly charged 134a system will likely show … Looking online, the conversion from R12 to R134a is 3.25 pounds. R-12 is no longer used or produced in many countries and remaining quantities have skyrocketed in price. This is an absolute must to prevent cross-contamination of refrigerants and cooling performance problems. My 93 AC sprung a leak (evaporator coil). Get yours online today and pick up in store. Replacement is often recommended if debris is found in the system. Many older rear-wheel drive cars and trucks do not have a separate electric fan for the A/C condenser. Retrofitting air-conditioning systems has been losing its popularity due to the decrease in automotive R-12 systems on the road, but I still see motorists asking questions about the proper way of converting … R134a Charging Hose to Refrigerator - with Gauge - R-134a can to R-12/R-22 Port, Include R12 to R134a Conversion Kit for A/C Pro Refrigerant & BPV31 Piercing Valve 4.2 out of 5 stars … For Ford owners, we have a complete set of instructions on the Classic Auto Air website explaining how to convert your Ford R12 air conditioning system to 134a. Labels must also be installed to identify the system has been converted to R-134a. Why? Does it make economic sense to retrofit an older vehicle to R-134a if the A/C system has lost its refrigerant charge or needs major repairs? They rely solely on the belt-driven fan for cooling, which may not be adequate in extremely hot weather with R-134a. Most cars with air conditioning manufactured prior to 1995 used R12 Freon refrigerant, which is believed to damage the ozone layer. Because R-12 is no longer produced in the U.S. Supplies of recycled R-12 still exist, and some R-12 is still brought in from offshore suppliers. Bootleg R-12 obviously eliminates the need to retrofit your A/C system if you can find it, but we would warn that the purity and quality of bootleg R-12 is questionaable. A professional retrofit by a repair shop can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on what they do. Anyhow, I'd like to convert to R134a. … The cost to retrofit usually does not add that much to the total repair bill because converting 1990s vintage vehicles to R-134a in most cases is fairly easy and does not require many (if any) changes. If the original condenser or evaporator is being replaced because of a leak, damage or defect, make sure the replacement unit has the same or better BTU rating. I'm just … If you drive an older vehicle (pre-1994), the air conditioning system contains R-12 refrigerant (Freon). Ford A/C Kits GM A/C Kits Mopar A/C Kits European A/C Kits Universal A/C Kits A/C Parts, About Us Contact Us Career Opportunities Understanding A/C, Support Install Manuals Tech Talk Reseller Support Customer Upload UPS My Choice. Assuming the compressor is in good shape, the owner of this 1965 Mustang can convert from R12 to R134a. It often contains other refrigerants (R-22, R-134a), flammable hydrocarbons (propane, butane, etc. Whether you need to convert a Ford, GM, or MOPAR classic from R12 to R134a, two helpful tips to keep in mind…. R12 and R134a are not compatible. Most of these are blends that are formulated to replace R-12 in older vehicles. … Retrofit Kits. This can result in a loss of cooling performance and may overtax the compressor to the point where it fails. Some aftermarket replacement condensers and evaporators may not deliver the same cooling performance, and create a problem you did not have before. Even so, we do NOT endorse or recommend using flammable refrigerants. So if somebody recharges an R-12 system with R-134a and does not add a compatible lubricant, the compressor will soon fail. The Harrison DA6 can be replaced with a HD-6, HR-6 or HR-6HE compressor. When a compressor fails, it can throw metallic debris into the system. Two out of five technicians also did not know the service fittings on an A/C system MUST be changed if the system is converted from R-12 to R-134a or anything else. In spite of the ban on R12 in the U.S., it is still manufactured offshore in some countries. ), moisture and air. 1977-82 Corvette R12 to R134 conversion kit has what you need to convert … The last piece of your system that you’ll … To help people figure how how o safely convert an older vehicle with an R-12 A/C system to R-134a, we put together the following reference propgram that summarizes the procedure for retrofitting your vehicle to R-134a: A/C Cooling Problem: Blows Warm Air Only No Cool Air, Troubleshooting Air Conditioning Problems, Troubleshoot Automatic Climate Control System, Troubleshooting A/C Cooling Problems with Temperature, How To Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioner, A/C Compressor Oil Recommendations and Precautions, e38.org General Motors Retrofit Procedures, Recommendations for Retrofitting R-12 Sanden Compressors to R-134a, Converting Older GM cars from R-12 to R-134a. Push the high side retrofit R134a fitting over the old fitting and use a wrench to tighten it. Where retrofit makes the most economic sense is when an A/C system requires major repairs such as a new compressor, condenser or evaporator. Even so, A/C is something that's hard to do without especially during hot weather. Production of R12 Freon was discontinued in 1995 due to concerns about R12’s damaging effects on the ozone layer. I can get R12 but because R134A is a lot cheaper I'm debating whether to convert over to R134A. Question: My mechanic told me my compressor is locked up and it needs to be replaced on my 1965 Mustang. With the success of all of our D.E.R. We therefore offer a R12 ro R134a conversion service. As R12 used a different oil that was not fit to be used with R134a, … Your order may be eligible for Ship to … There is NO reason to retrofit a vehicle to R-134a as long as the R-12 system is cooling properly and contains a normal charge of refrigerant. R134a systems operate at higher discharge-side pressures than R12, which can cause compressor seals to leak. These products include OZ-12, HC-12a, R-176 and R-405a. 5 – When converting an R12 system to 134a, charging amounts vary from system to system. Do you agree? Completely used to replace R12 with R134a ; Easy to operate and install, made it easy to convert an r-12 system over to r134a. … If you are looking to keep your dash clean and clutter free there really is no better choice than... Last month we covered charging stations. On some applications, installing a more efficient condenser may be recommended for improved cooling performance. I believe the R12 is completely gone- when I turn on the AC, the temperature never changes. As long as the A/C system has no leaks and it cooling normally, there is no need to convert from R-12 to the new "ozone safe" R-134a … But simple low cost retrofits may not give the best cooling performance, and may not even be possible on some vehicles. Even if the system leaks, repairing the leaks and recharging it with R-12 is usually the best repair alternative. Factory original purists may balk, but sometimes original dashboard designs can be improved upon. On many 1989 through 1993 vintage vehicles, R-12 A/C systems can be converted by simply recovering any refrigerant that is still in the system, adding POE oil (which is compatible with both types of refrigerant), and recharging to 85 to 90% capacity with R-134a. Walls Are Twice as Thick as Original GM Part# 3963756 Question: What do you get when you mix thin gauge plastic with radical temperature shifts from hot to cold and back again? We have heard numerous reports of bootleg R-12 coming into the U.S. market from Mexico. I attached... Corvette model years affected: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, Your wish is our command! Any compressor that has Viton seals is not a candidate for retrofit. R134a requires a much higher pressure to work. This applies to the Harrison DA6 and Ford FX-15 compressors. For more information, see Flammable Refrigerants. A properly charged 134a system will likely show bubbles in the sight-glass. Installing a larger or more efficient condenser can also help compensate for losses in cooling efficiency with R-134a. A good … When the automotive industry made the shift to R-134a back in 1995-1995, they all published Technical Service Bulletins that covered retrofit procedures for their various makes and models. My mechanic says I need to replace my AC filter drier. Nitrogen pressure test on Classic Auto Air Perfect Fit AC systems Jump to Latest Follow ... Im gonna go to mitsubishi and order a seal kit and all the necessary parts for me to convert over to R134a but since i … Ignore your sight-glass. New receiver/dryer (should be replaced whenever the system is opened and exposed to the … Installing an auxiliary fan that comes on when the A/C is turned on give provide the extra airflow needed to carry away the heat. 196419651966196719681969 1970197119721973, 196619671968196919701971 197219731974197519761977 19781979, 195519561957195819591960 196119621963196419651966, 194819491950195119521953 195419561957195819591960 196119621963196419651966 196819691970197119721973 197419751976197719781979, 196719681969197019711972 197319741975197619771978, 195819591960196119621963 196419651966196719681969 197019711972197319741975 1976, 195519561957195819591960 196119621963196419651966 19671968, 195819591960196119621963 19641965196619671968, 196419651966196719681969 19701971197219731974, 194719481949195019511952 195319541955195619571958 195919601961196219631964 196519661967196819691970 197119721973197419751976 197719781979198019811982 19831984198519861987, 194719481949195019511952 195319541955195619571958 195919601961196219631964 196519661967196819691970 19711972, 196919701971197219731974 197519761977197819791980 198119821983198419851986 198719881989, 197719781979198019811982 198319841985198619871988 1989, 197519761977197819791980 19811982198319841985, 196119621963196419651966 196719681968196919701971 19721973 1974 1975, 196119621963196419651966 196719681968196919701971 1972197319741975, 195919601961196219631964 1965196619671968. If you drive an older vehicle (pre-1994), the air conditioning system contains R-12 refrigerant (Freon). The first is to follow the vehicle manufacturer recommended retrofit procedure. Required fields are marked *. R134a requires a different size dryer to make sure it functions properly so you will need to install a new dryer to convert R12 to R134a. 30% contained hydrocarbons (propane or other flammable hydrocarbons). The Ford FX-15 compressor can be replaced with a FS-10 compressor. A simple retrofit may therefore cost no more than a few cans of refrigerant and some compressor oil -- provided there's nothing else wrong with the A/C system. These aftermarket variable orifice tubes allow the flow rate through the valve to change for better cooling at idle and low speeds. Do I Need To Add Oil To My Air Conditioning Compressor? Systems with relatively large or efficient condensers will experience less of a drop in cooling performance with R-134a than those with smaller or less efficient condensers. A/C systems designed to use R-12 will cool best when charged with R-12 refrigerant. Because R-134a raises compressor discharge pressures and increases the compressors work load, some lightweight compressors may not be rugged enough to tolerate R-134a over the long haul. Get the best deals for r12 to r134a retrofit kit at eBay.com. Any R12 needs to be captured and the work can only be done by a licensed technician. 2. We do NOT recommend bootleg R-12 for these reasons. Owners of GM classics including Camaros, Corvettes, Novas, and more will find detailed instructions on how to convert GM R12 air conditioning system to 134a on the CAA website as well. Converting to R-134a typically reduces cooling performance somewhat, and may require some additional modifications depending on the vehicle model year. OK, here you go…click here for recommended steps to convert MOPAR R12 air conditioning system to 134a. These sites also charge a small subscription fee. Your email address will not be published. A retrofit can be done one of two ways. Such a valve can lower the A/C outlet air temperature by as much as 5 to 8 degrees, which can make quite a difference if the vehicle is crawling along in stop-and-go city traffic. This kit includes a remanufactured compressor which will operate with R134A Refrigerant, a drier, an evaporator orifice and the oil, seals, fittings and adapters. This month, it's hand charging. System still uses R12. This question comes up because people want to avoid poor cooling or failure problems... From our mailbag - here's a recent email from Ray: I just installed my new rotary compressor using the York to Sanden compressor & u-shaped idler adapter brackets you supply in your kit. It is important to remember that R-134a or any other alternative refrigerant cannot be mixed with R-12 or used to top off an R-12 system. 20% had two or more refrigerants mixed together . Most of the junk ends up in the bottom of the condenser, but some of it can also be blown back into the suction hose. In addition, the factory system was set up to use R12 coolant, otherwise known as Freon. 57% had R-12 and R-134a mixed together (up 10% over last year). Perhaps try a DIY can of R134a with a dye and sealer and see what happens. Some so-called drop-in replacement refrigerants for older R-12 systems contain flammable hydrocarbons (propane, butane, isobuane, etc.). Hot summer temperatures and high humidity can make driving in city traffic unbearable. Adding an extra cooling fan can help boost cooling performance, especially at idle and low speeds. As a rule, expect anywhere from a 3% to 15% decrease in cooling performance when an R-12 system is converted to R-134a. Regardless of which retrofit method is used, cooling performance will vary depending on the design of the system. Mixing different refrigerants can cause big problems. Chevy Corvette Perfect Fit Air Conditioning System Updated April 2014, Turn Of The Screw – Adjusting Tecumseh Or York Compressor Service Valves On Your Car’s AC, Replacement Aftermarket A/C Defrost Duct for Chevelle Years 1970, 1971, 1972, Air Conditioning Upgrades for Mopar B Body Cars – 1968 – 1970, 1964 and 1965 Ford Ranchero Smart A/C Kit, Pressures and Charging Classic Auto Air A/C System. An ozone friendly alternative, R134a is an efficient absorber and carrier of heat, and contrary to popular belief, most cars originally equipped with R12 can be converted to 134a and still keep you just as cool.If you have been putting off converting from R12 to R134a because of the time and hassle, our Classic Auto Air website offers detailed instructions that explain how to make the switch. Bring it to … They also contend that the EPA's position on their product is unjustified, and that HC-12a has been successfully used in many vehicle A/C systems worldwide with no accidents or injuries due to ignition. Shop for Santech Adapter - R12/R134A Air Conditioning Adapter Fitting with confidence at AutoZone.com. A case in point is our in-dash air conditioning and heater... © 2021 Classic Auto Air – Air Conditioning & Heating for 70’s & Older Cars & Trucks - All rights reserved, Converting Classic Ford, GM, and MOPAR’s from R12 to R134a Refrigerant. R-12 is no longer used or produced in many countries and remaining quantities have skyrocketed in price. R12 to R134a Conversion R12 to R134a Conversion Now in order to abide by the law, the cars manufactured before 1995 needed to have a refrigerant conversion from R12 to R134a, which also led to further complexities. AC 134A Manifold Set . But it is hard to find and expensive. You can also find OEM Retrofit bulletins on aftermarket service information websites such as AlldataDIY.com and Mitchell1DIY.com.. Flushing the condenser, hoses and evaporator with refrigerant or an approved solvent may remove most of the debris, but parallel flow condensers cannot be flushed effectively. But on many older vehicles, you can save money and do the job yourself - if you have some know-how and the right equipment. 910 Freeport Parkway, Suite 100 Coppell, TX 75019 |. 2) Flush evaporator and condenser with AC flush kit to remove mineral oil … But if your A/C system has lost it's charge because of a leak, collision damage, or the need to open it to replace a compressor, hose or other component, you may have to convert from R-12 to R-134a when you recharge the system. Converting R-12 to R-134a. Converting this car to R134A will likely cost more than the vehicle is worth and will still deliver lackluster A/C performance. The factory method is the best choice because you … After the modifications are made, the system is recharged to about 85 to 90% of its original capacity with R-134a. This generally involves removing all the old mineral oil from the system, replacing the accumulator or receiver/dryer with one that contains X-7 desiccant, replacing O-rings (if required), installing or replacing a high pressure cutout switch (which many shops seem to forget), changing the orifice tube or expansion valve (if required), then adding the specified PAG oil and recharging the system with R-134a. i currently have an r12 system in my 1978 camaro, i dont know what parts i will have to buy for the conversion, i have the long a/c compressor, i was told i would have to change the actuator, compressor, lines, fittings, but i think i might only have to get the different fitting for the actuator, please help? The vehicle manufacturers do not approve of any alternative refrigerants other than R-134a for retrofit. Answer: Warping and... Can aftermarket air conditioning components improve on OEM design? Poor quality R-12 may not perform well n your A/C system, and it may even cause problems such as noisy operation, sludge contamination and compressor failure. Due to environmental concerns R12 is no longer widely commercially available, having been replaced by R134a. So, since I had a fair bit of work to do on it anyway, I decided to convert the A/C system from Freon to R134a… Classic Auto Air has been using the latest technology to create high performance model specific A/C kits for your 1940’s-1980’s vehicles since 1977. MOPAR fans, we know what you’re thinking…..how about us? Bottom line, R134a … R-134a and mineral oil will not mix. He also told me I need to replace the filter-drier and flush the system... We get a lot of questions regarding General Motors' A6 "long-style" air conditioning compressor and leaks. WARNING! The other approach to retrofit is the "quick and cheap" one. I suspect you have a leak. R12 to R134 A High/Low AC Fitting Port Retrofit Conversion Adapter, Quick Coupler Valve A/C 90° Fitting, High and Low Side R-12 to R-134A Retrofit with 2 PC Caps 4.4 out of 5 stars109 … Order A/C Retrofit Kits & Components for your vehicle and pick it up in store—make your purchase, find a store near you, and get directions. R12 was phased out and made illegal in the 1990’s, due to it’s ozone depleting properties, and replaced with r134a, which itself is now … To be fair, the makers of HC-12a contend that the flammability danger is highly exaggerated and there is "no evidence" to support claims that a cigarette or spark could ignite their product. Here’s how to convert R12 to R134a with the factory method 1) Discharge the R12 and recover the R12 for recycling. If an A/C system still contains any R-12 at all, it must be removed using approved recovery equipment (venting is not allowed) before a new refrigerant is added to the system. The average repair bill to retrofit when other A/C repairs are needed, according to the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS), is about $100 over and above any other repairs that may be needed (such as replacing the compressor, condenser or evaporator, etc.). That's why many people simply recharge their older R-12 air conditioning system with R-134a after repairs have been made. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It appears R1234yf oil is compatible with R134a … The more environmentally friendly R134a has been used in most models since then. If the vehicle has barrier style hoses and the compressor and seals are compatible with R-134a, the only thing that has to be changed is the compressor lubricant.