# R-12 to R-134a retrofit **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [August 25, 2008, 11:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825 "2008-08-25T11:29:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![87GN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/87gn/32/5193_2.png) [@87GN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/87GN)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 11:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/1 "2008-08-25T11:29:45Z")
I was driving home last week and I heard this squealing noise, I didn’t know what it was until I stopped at a red light and noticed smoke pouring out from under my hood. I quickly pulled over and popped the hood and noticed that my A/C compressor clutch was glowing red :ohnoes:. So I decided to retrofit my old R-12 system to R-134a. Especially since R-12 is about $50 a pound and my car takes about 4 lbs, also you need to be certified to even buy it. It is illegal to discharge R-12 refrigerant into the air, luckily my car had done that for me a long time ago and my AC never worked. So I started taking apart my car: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0060.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0060.jpg) Toasted clutch bearing: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0061.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0061.jpg) The previous owner had replaced the accumulator/drier thinking that it would fix the A/C, but the orifice tube was covered in black crap so the compressor probably took a dump a long time ago. I removed the compressor: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0071.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0071.jpg) Then the Intercooler, Radiator, and Condenser: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0062.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0062.jpg) ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0063.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0063.jpg) ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0069.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0069.jpg) Since I needed a new compressor anyways and the mineral oil used with R-12 is not compatible with R-134a I just decided to replace everything. The other alternatives are to flush the entire system, but in my case the new condenser, compressor and evaporator are designed to work with R-134a. Skip forward a day, I reinstalled the condenser and radiator. ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0064.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0064.jpg) ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0065.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0065.jpg) Also reinstalled the new ACDelco compressor: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0066.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0066.jpg) ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0067.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0067.jpg) I also took apart my heater box to change the evaporator core which hasn’t come yet. Now is a good time to change you heater core if it looks corroded. ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0068.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0068.jpg) Nasty evaporator core: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0070.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0070.jpg) Now I am waiting for the evaporator and a few other things to get here before I can finish putting it together and charge it up. More pics to come… A few extra pics I took: ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0072.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0072.jpg) ![http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0073.jpg](http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/mcooper87/DSC_0073.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/2 "2008-08-25T11:33:10Z")
good job :tup: man that compressor is short. Is that an old V5 (or maybe even a scroll)? g/l with getting it all together ---
**Author:** ![BuickGN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/buickgn/32/7200_2.png) [@BuickGN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BuickGN)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/3 "2008-08-25T11:33:23Z")
my father is doing this for his new GN, but here at work we are just removing all of the old r12 and refilling it, we might just need a dryer and some o rings but thats about it. ---
**Author:** ![87GN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/87gn/32/5193_2.png) [@87GN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/87GN)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 11:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/4 "2008-08-25T11:39:35Z")
Its an R4 compressor I guess GM used it on alot of 80s cars and trucks. I thought about keeping the R-12 but If it leaked out again i would be out like $200 so i decided to go with R-134a. ---
**Author:** ![BuickGN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/buickgn/32/7200_2.png) [@BuickGN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BuickGN)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 11:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/5 "2008-08-25T11:40:27Z")
I used this stuff in my GN i bought at the nats a few years back, worked really well, and nothing else had to be purchased. cant remember the name, but you did it correctly since the compressor was already shot. ---
**Author:** ![paulysplitx](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulysplitx/32/7320_2.png) [@paulysplitx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/paulysplitx)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/6 "2008-08-25T12:48:12Z")
Dont forget to pull a vacum on your system once you have it all back together. That will get all the air out of along with checking for leaks. By pulling a vacum that will also help suck in the 4 lbs of 134 a you need to put in. Great write up, the car looks great! ---
**Author:** ![mechanicalmadness](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mechanicalmadness/32/5022_2.png) [@mechanicalmadness](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mechanicalmadness)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/7 "2008-08-25T12:53:32Z")
Cool. I must ask a question though. Why do you have a ratchet strap going from your alternator bracket to wherever?(frame I assume) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 12:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/8 "2008-08-25T12:57:07Z")
> [@mechanicalmadness](#): > > Cool. I must ask a question though. Why do you have a ratchet strap going from your alternator bracket to wherever?(frame I assume) to prevent the engine from moving too much I assume. Kevins dad’s GN had this (pretty sure his T-Type had the same setup, or at least thought I remember seeing it in pictures) ---
**Author:** ![BuickGN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/buickgn/32/7200_2.png) [@BuickGN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BuickGN)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/9 "2008-08-25T13:00:46Z")
> [@mechanicalmadness](#): > > Cool. I must ask a question though. Why do you have a ratchet strap going from your alternator bracket to wherever?(frame I assume) Its for torque control, these have been known to twist the motor from the mounts. I had one, but then i switched to poly mounts and no longer needed the tie down. ---
**Author:** ![BuickGN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/buickgn/32/7200_2.png) [@BuickGN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BuickGN)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 1:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/10 "2008-08-25T13:01:45Z")
> [@Dr.Stevil](#): > > to prevent the engine from moving too much I assume. > > Kevins dad’s GN had this (pretty sure his T-Type had the same setup, or at least thought I remember seeing it in pictures) Most all of them have it done, unless new poly or solid mounts are installed. ---
**Author:** ![mechanicalmadness](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mechanicalmadness/32/5022_2.png) [@mechanicalmadness](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mechanicalmadness)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/r-12-to-r-134a-retrofit/53825/11 "2008-08-25T14:44:47Z")
Ah I C. I was just wondering because of friend of mine has the same car minus the rathet strap.