67 Dart AC out again.

Hi,

Auto A/C is something you can learn to do yourself. I have been doing my own for well over 30 years. You'll need some equipment, a vacuum pump and a gauge set. You can rent, borrow or buy these things. The factory shop manual fully covers working on the A/C system and you really should have a copy of it.

You will have to decide if you are going to keep the old R-12 refrigerant or change over to newer R-134A. Your old system components will work with either. but, you will get the best performance with R-12. R-12 is still available although you need a 609 permit to buy it.

Changing to R-134A is a bit more involved as the oil in the system will have to be changed to a R-134A compatible type and all the O ring seals will need to be changed to a compatible type. The receiver/drier will also need to be changed to an R-134A compatible type.

Your system is almost 50 years old and if all original I would strongly suggest you install new hoses and O ring seals even if you stay with R-12. I would also change the receiver/drier if it is original.The old Chrysler RV type compressors are very rugged and will last forever with a little care. There is no need to change over to a Sanden type unless you really want to.

The front shaft seals in an RV type compressor will normally leak a very small amount of refrigerant and this was and is considered normal. When these cars were new it was considered normal servicing to have to add some refrigerant after 5 or 6 years.

The original type factory system in my 71 Charger is still working just fine. So, these old systems do work and you can maintain them yourself. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.