1978 corvette r134 conversion

[chrisviktorjakematt]

My 78 corvette just blew the compressor. I am going to replace it and switch to r134 at the same time. My questions are:
Is one brand of r4 compressor better than the others? I was going to buy one from autozone a 4seasons kit but have read troubling reviews.
I plan to replace the accumulator and O-rings with r134 compliant o rings and a new orifice tube. should I replace the compressor hoses as well?
I also plan to flush the system. Is there anything I am missing or advice I need?
Thanks
Chris

[Dougflas]

Corvettes are a poor choice for conversions. Four seasons are a poor choice for parts. You're dead in the water before you begin. You will need to upgrade the condenser also. Better do your due diligence before a decision is made.

[chrisviktorjakematt]

Thanks for the reply,
I am stuck with the corvette so I cant help that it is not a good candidate. However if you know of a better compressor I could buy instead of the 4 seasons one I would appreciate any advice pointing me in the right direction. I could also replace the condenser if that would help things.

[Cusser]

Corvettes are a poor choice for conversions. Four seasons are a poor choice for parts. You're dead in the water before you begin. You will need to upgrade the condenser also. Better do your due diligence before a decision is made.

If you're in USA, stay with R-12, will also be less expensive overall, as well as perform better, like others say. R-12 is legal to use and available in US. You're driving a Corvette: fix it right.

As someone who has had R4 compressors in past vehicles, those do have issues, like leaking at the body seals. But converting to a different compressor would not be cheap either.

[chrisviktorjakematt]

Thanks, well I need a new compressor whichever coolant I use. are all r4 compressors equally bad or is one brand better than another???

[Tim]

I can get you a Delco or aftermarket. Your call on which model. Even the 4s New is a good unit. But you will kill any compressor unless you address the high head pressure you are going ot have with R134a on a older Vette.

[chrisviktorjakematt]

Tim thanks. What should I be doing to address the high pressures? I was going to use a 1989 ford ford t bird 0.67 blue orifice tube. Will that help or are there other modifications I should be considering? I would like to only do this once correctly.
thanks
chris

[Tim]

Universal parallel flow condenser and custom hoses.

[chrisviktorjakematt]

Ok, thanks. Now that I am dissasembling things. what size line wrenches do I need to take apart the accumulator and the lines to the condenser? I have learned that hard way in the past to not try with the wrong wrenches. Thanks for all the help so far.
Chris

[chrisviktorjakematt]

ok system is taken apart no problem. I am looking at parallel condensers. Are the universal ones going to require me to fabricate any of the connections or just the brackets. should I get one the exact same size or would one a little smaller be better to make it work with my existing ac tubing? http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-AC-Universa ... 2548.l4275 would you recommend one like this or does ackits.com offer one that would fit easier?