R12 conversion advice needed

J

jaytee2014

Member
I have a 1966 Riviera that has been in storage for 25 years and I have restored everything except the AC.
I would like to get that working, can someone tell me what I will need besides finding a local AC mechanic who will make the conversion from R12 to R134? It looks like I can get parts from OPGI but what parts do I need?
Thanks in advance for your help.
John
 
To myself there is really no advantage to use 134 as R12 is readily available & less costly than it used to be.
Plenty to be had out there.
Advantages are the molecules aren't as small as 134 & operates at less pressures.
Don't need to change a/c condenser or evaporator to make it work as properly or efficiency.
Just my thoughts on the subject at hand.

Tom T.
 
Thanks Tom, I was under the impression that R12 was illegal.
Now all I have to do is find someone who will do it. The one I called wouldn't.
But since It hasn't run for such a long time do I need any new components?
 
R134 is less damaging to the ozone. It is claimed that R12 system produces a colder system. If you have R12 in your car the A/C shop can service it with no problem. Make it clear you have R12, otherwise the technician may mix your system with R134. The shop's equipment can identify the refrigerant you have if you want to definitely know for sure. The AC machine can tell you how much R12 is in the system.

I think states like California and New York may have stopped R12 sale for environmental protection. Hey! the water utilities "accidentally" drain sewage water into the ocean every year and no ones crying about that.
 
GL03 said:
R134 is less damaging to the ozone. It is claimed that R12 system produces a colder system. If you have R12 in your car the A/C shop can service it with no problem. Make it clear you have R12, otherwise the technician may mix your system with R134. The shop's equipment can identify the refrigerant you have if you want to definitely know for sure. The AC machine can tell you how much R12 is in the system.

I think states like California and New York may have stopped R12 sale for environmental protection. Hey! the water utilities "accidentally" drain sewage water into the ocean every year and no ones crying about that.
Click to expand...
So far, none of the AC shops in my area will have anything to do with R12. One claims they don't have the machine necessary to handle it.
 
The shop would need to find R12 to service your car if the charge is low.

I attached this link to an article on this topic you might enjoy the read.
Air-conditioning dos and don’ts: Refrigerants and the law - Hagerty Media

You need to answer if there is any R12 in the system? You can answer this by connecting pressure gauges to the service ports. Any good shop has gauges or connect AC machine to service ports to make an assessment. Also, you can check how much temperature change there is from the area of the condenser in front of radiator and the air blowing in the vents. Looking for a minimum 20 degree change with re-circulation on. I'm neglecting humidity a bit here, but it is accounted for. You need two thermometers for this test.

Alternate approach is inject AC dye into the system through service ports and run the A/C. If it has a leak it will show and I doubt there is anymore R12 in the system after the 10+ years siting.

There is this listing of service kit for R12, company name is EnviroSafe. The gauge is needed to perform this task, they are including one.
1682054304512.png

R12 Automotive Air Conditioning Support, Stop Leak, Arctic, Oil Charge with hose | eBay


Anyways take my word for a grain of salt, the internet is full of false information and poor guidance.
 
jaytee2014 said:
Thanks Tom, I was under the impression that R12 was illegal.
Now all I have to do is find someone who will do it. The one I called wouldn't.
But since It hasn't run for such a long time do I need any new components?
Click to expand...
Sir, it is illegal to let the R12 out in the atmosphere. A person is s u o p o s e to be certified to handle the R12 and load the R12.
Now, my programmed irreverence toward goofy regulations tells me to buy R12 and load the stuff. I don’t have certificates but I have experience. The R12 is available if you know where to look. It is not prohibitively expensive.
 
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