Rebuilding my whole A/C system?

[timk225]

1973 Duster, 225 Slant 6, factory A/C car, all original components are present.

Since the car sat in storage for 20+ years, of course the A/C isn't working. I'm looking for ideas on how to get it going again, and if anyone knows of a good A/C shop in my area (Pittsburgh) that can handle older cars.

By using a rented vacuum pump, I was able to determine that the vacuum motors for the water valve and the defroster are leaking. No surprise. Might as well change the other 52 year old motors while I'm at it. Year One doesn't have them, anyone know where to get them? The vacuum reservoir appears to be good. I changed the hose running from the reservoir to the intake manifold vacuum tap. The new hose is a silicone 1/8" ID hose, and although it is smaller for less leak potential, you can hear a noticeable change in how the engine runs if you let the hose leak to open air.

The thin copper tube coming off the expansion valve fit loosely into the big pipe it goes into. Probably going to have to change at least one pipe as a result.

Condenser and evaporator probably need flushed and tested, if not replaced. A new receiver / dryer is a given.

Classic auto air has a kit for $2200, but it is for a 1972 Duster. May or may not have issues with my 1973 if any parts were changed.

Any thoughts?

 

[harrisonm]

Call Classic Auto Air and ask them. Also, they used to have a facility in Texas, I think, that would rebuild your AC to factory specs. The Classic Auto Air system has received some bad press for parts fitting and poor instructions, but it works great. Mine (69 barracuda) is about 20 years old and blows ice cold.

 

[Darter6]

Keep us informed as your findings progress. I have a 72 Slant Dart that's planned for the same.

 

[Frankbassman]

Unless your car was stored underwater for 20 years, I'd change the dryer and o rings on all the lines, draw a vacuum to confirm sealing and if good buy one of those envirosafe or redtek r12 substitutes and send it. Cheap and simple as long as the hoses and compressor shaft seals are good.

I did that with my mystery compressor and system on my '73 and it will freeze you out. Original expansion valve too.

Eventually I changed the condenser and made my own lines as improvements but really it wasn't needed. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck.

-Frank

 

[65 Dartman]

I am adding factory AC including the firewall to my 65 Dart wagon. I bought most of the components from other members. That AC place (now closed) that was in Tampa FL, rebuilt my compressor, all my lines and my factory drier. I rebuilt my heater/evaporator box with a DMT kit and flushed the condenser and evaporator with solvent. I have a new water valve and vacuum pod I bought years ago. The heater box is installed and fit the AC firewall like the proverbial glove. We’ll see how the rest goes after I get the engine assembled and rest of the AC components insfalled

 

[timk225]

I talked to Classic Auto Air, and their system is usable on up to 1972 A bodies but not 1973+, as the controls are very different. And it is over $2000.

How about getting the vacuum motors rebuilt or replaced? I know my dash / defroster one is leaking, and the under hood water valve one doesn't open either. I rented a vacuum pump to test with. The others seem to be okay so far.

At some point I'll pull the whole heater / AC assembly out and change the heater core and see if I can get the AC evaporator flushed and tested. Or replaced. Got to call local AC shops.