1966 Oldsmobile A/C

[Mikel]

Hello,
I'm in the process of reviving the A/C in my 1966 Toronado.

I rebuilt the A6 compressor, I'm having all hoses rebuilt and will be flushing the evaporator and condenser. What gas do you recommend? R134A, R152A? Propane/Isobutane? I have never dealt with a system with a POA. I plan on rigging mine with compressed air and testing its operation. Any suggestions?

Thank you.

[Dougflas]

Keep it R12

[Mikel]

Keep it R12

That would be ideal, but I am concerned about long term availability of R12.
Thanks.

[JohnHere]

I advise staying far away from the highly flammable refrigerants you mention: R-152a, propane, and isobutane. They're very dangerous to work with, present a fire hazard should the system leak, and they're just not worth the risk, in my opinion.

As already suggested, R-12 would be best because your system was originally designed for it.

R-134a will also work, is much less costly, and readily available for the foreseeable future. But it will have a slight penalty in cooling efficiency in your application.

If you decide to go with the latter, be sure the desiccant in the receiver/dryer you install is compatible with R-134a, that you evacuate the system well (several hours and even overnight), use the correct amount and type of oil (PAG-46 or PAG-100), and charge it to about 80-percent of the R-12 amount.

[Cusser]

Keep it R12

That would be ideal, but I am concerned about long term availability of R12.
Thanks.

If you're in USA, there's a glut of R-12, as there are few actual uses for it. It's legal to use. Most of the R-12 vehicles are either off the road or those are amenable to conversions have been switched to R134a. Yes, I understand that R-12 is still relatively expensive, and that one "should" have a 609 certificate to purchase it, just make sure your system has no leaks, refrigerant is not a consumable should last indefinitely unless it leaks out.

I still use R-12 in my 1988 truck.

[Dougflas]

If you think R12 is expensive, wait until you price R1234YF. R1234YF is being used on a lot of new vehicles.

[Cusser]

If you think R12 is expensive, wait until you price R1234YF. R1234YF is being used on a lot of new vehicles.

Yet another "not better" better idea.

[Mikel]

Hello,
I was helping a friend of mine with the A/C in his car, also a '66 Toronado. Yes, the one-eyed leading the blind.

The system had been working well until it lost its charge last year. We pulled a vacuum (it held for 30 minutes) and began adding refrigerant (R152A). It didn't see to be sucking much and both the high and low sides both were stuck at 80PSI, after about 10oz - The low side never went down with the compressor spinning. At the same time, we noticed an audible leak in the front seal of the A6 compressor, so that explains the initial failure. We stopped there.

The seal is an easy fix. What concerns me is the equal pressure on both sides with the compressor running, which makes me question the compressor. Am I overthinking it?

Thanks.

[tbirdtbird]

You really need to incorporate your questions on a separate thread else the staff members such as Dougflas and others may not see it

[Mikel]

You really need to incorporate your questions on a separate thread else the staff members such as Dougflas and others may not see it

Will do. Thanks.