I have an 86 camaro with a restored salvaged title but the R-12 was evacuated when they salvaged the vehicle. The lines have all been inspected and are good. I've been told that to convert over to 134-a I would need to buy a new accumulator and such! Is this absolutely neccesary? "I was told it would become contaminated" Are they just trying to get a few more bucks out of me or can I just get the conversion kit and pump 134-a in there? Any help would be greatly appreciative!

I LIVE IN AZ IT'S FREAKIN HOT!!!!

NO I DONT WANT TO PUT R-12 BACK IN! YES IT WOULD BE NICE,
BUT IT'S TO $$$$ AND I DONT PLAN ON KEEPING THIS CAR FOR LONG.....

 

yes, you can just buy the kit, vacumn the system for a long time(1-2 hours) and charge the system with Ester oil and an amount of R-134 equal to 80% of the R-12 that the car originally took, some will not recommend, but I have never had a problem

 

To do it properly the accumulator should be replaced because it contains the dessicant and the dessicant from that era is not 134 compatible. Also the seals are different for 134 vs. 12. Hoses on a car that age are not the newer "barrier" type and also the orifice tube should be changed. What it all comes down to is this, if you want a temporary cooling condition you can get by with a minimum of changes. However be prepared to be placing in refrigerant regularly and if the accumulator is contaminated you'll probably fry the compressor in short order. You make the call!

 

I would stick with R-12, it's 20% more efficent and cools way better in our cars!!

 

If you are friends with anyone in the HVAC trade, (if not make one) you can get this stuff called Hot Shot, or R414b at any refrigerant supply. It has almost the same pressures as R12, slightly higher head, and is compatible with all oils. It is also labeled for use in mobile AC. Best part, if you can get it its 12 bux a can and 20 for the tap valve, and you will need a 3/8 to 1/4 SAE adapter, plus a charging hose. Hardest part is to pay a shop to pull a good vaccuum. So for 60 bux in material and what ever a shop will charge, (you need 3 10oz cans), you can have 40* air on a 99* day. Ive done it to quite a few cars and no problems. After the R-12 leaks out of the 91, i will do the same to mine.

 

BTW, a 25 lb tank of this costs about 220 no valve needed, just a guage and charging hose. hope i can help

 

NO you can buy cans of R-414B and YOU CAN just use your R-12 gauges since that is what R-414B is ment to replace.

 

Ryan Is correct. R12 guages will work fine. But to those who arent in that field and have no clue what to by I figured the stuff i listed would be good for beginners. you can try to get it yourself, but i doubt you can case yo need to have cfc certification. I was carded fo this stuff.

 

Yeah that CFC card is a joke, they send you a test and a book in the mail and make you sign a waver that you took the test with out looking at the book then you mail the test back. Thats how I got mine when it first came out in Texas, I'm not sure how they do it now.

 

Not for me, I had to take the coarse at school for Type I II III and Universal. It was a real pita. But i am in no way limited as to what i can work on, purchase, or dispose of as far as HVACR is concerned. The only take home test ive seen is the one for Auto AC. I should pick one up at the next supply house

 

Well I picked up R-22 for my house A/C too with it so I guess it isn't that big a deal in Texas.