I just need to know what are a few things I need to buy.

I know I need an R134a Retrofit Kit from one of the auto stores but I believe there is more to that.

Do I need to get a new compressor and all of that new a/c hoses and all of that? I was told that running an R134a system on an R12 compressor is just a one way ticket for trouble.

And also how hard is it to get this a/c system renewed? Let's say how hard is it for a somewhat of a guy who knows what he is doing?

IS there a book I can buy that will explain to me in full detail how to reconvert my a/c on cars like these? What I must do?

Any opinions, links, help, words would be truly helpful to me and I would greatly appreciate it.

 

It's been posted quite a bit, but here's the short version. To do it correct you need new barrier hoses, new seals, new orifice tube and probably a new compressor. The front shaft seals won't take 134 without leaking at some point. You can do it on the cheap, but most times you wind up adding refrigerant on a constant basis. You are better off finding a dealer who still has 12. It's actually cheaper to top off with 12 than to do a PROPER conversion to 134. Cars that came with 134 have more problems than the 12 units, just ask any decent mechanic who does AC work.

 

Danno is very correct. There is nothing that comes close to R-12.
It has been nearly 100 degrees in NYC, for the last week or two. The A.C. still works, w/o overheating.

All praise R-12.

R-134A will not make you happy. I have been pushing the merits of organic (sort of flammable) refrigerants, as they cool as well as R-12, but do try to get the R-12. I have seen it at HamFests for under $20/tin. The system holds 3 pounds (4 tins).
To do it yourself you would need an A.C. vacuum pump, and a manifold guage set. There must be no air mixed with the freon, as the moisture in that air corrodes the system. Using the pump, makes the moisture boil out . BTW, R-134A requires the same tools. Also, If you switch to R-134A, use Ester oil, as the PAG oil, found in many kits, is not backwards-compatible with R-12.

A.C. theory is real easy, if you are interested.

Seth

 

I guess I'll just buy like six cans of the freon and finish online at EBAY. Should I be pretty safe on this subject right now? Ebay sells like 6 cans of 12 oz freons for 50 a piece...everywhere else is charging a ridiculous amount, I believe I heard that the Camaro only needs like 4 cans 12 oz. I am not sure if this is entirely accurate.

First I want to get an a/c check just to make sure my system is full and operating, the freon in that car has lasted about 4 years but was rarely used during the first 2 years, it was used reguarly on the last two years and it still blows around 70 degreeish (not necessarily the coolest but hey...)

I dont feel like reconverting, too many things can go wrong.

I shouldve said 50 a set, not 50 a piece, its about 20 bucks per can, and some are 15 per can, but this is a set of 6 cans for 50 bucks plus 5.50 for shipping....

 

I've done this conversion to my car 2 months ago and this is what i had to do. What i did is, i took my car to an a/c shop to do a leak test to see if my hoses were in good shape. Since they were in great shape I didn't have to change my hoses. What i end up buying was a new a/c accumilator ( $50) and a new orfice tube ($3). If your a/c compressor is in great shape and working great, you don't need to buy a new one. On my case, i had to buy a remanufactur compressor ($150) because it was shot. i didn't buy a retrofit kit because i had a friend who is a professional on a/c systems and he supplied all the oils, seals and r134 and also had a machine for the conversion. He did the conversion for me for $75. In your case, u do need a retrofit kit which i found in walmart for $35 which supply all the oils and seals u need for the conversion and i recommend taking to a professional to do the conversion, in order to have the a/c work properly. I had my conversion for about 2 months and it blows ice cold and i have no problems whats so ever.

 

Dat's the way to do it!

 

How much refrigerant is needed minus the 8oz oil charge included in the NAPA Retrofit Kit? I'm adding a serpentine A/C to a previously non-A/C car and I don't see any stickers anywhere mentioning how much R-12 was in it.

I know you need 80% of what the R-12 was with 134, just not sure what the spec was for a 1989 TBI Firebird 5.0L with A/C.

 

if you buy the manifold gauges as previously mentioned you can charge the system with it operating until your high pressure is approx 200-210 psi and the low side is around 30psi, this is the most accurate way to be sure.

 

Very good. Thanks.