1971olds350

all i have is a locked air compressor in the trunk and a a/c box mounted on the firewall lots of missing parts no brakets , hoses etc.. what should i do i want to make it work.. any help?? (its an olds 350)

rocketraider

You can either find a junk car to get all the parts from, or buy an aftermarket setup. as much as sounds like is missing, the aftermarket route may be simplest unless you want originality. Odds are you'll need all new compressor, lines etc anyway if the system has been open any length of time.

Olds64

I think an aftermarket setup would be the easiest route. Or at least the most convienient.

Lady72nRob71

Junkyard parts of this era will have deteriorating rubber hoses and seals and may be physically damaged as well. However, Classic Auto Air can rebuild any A/C parts and they seem to have a good rep.

New parts are repros often made in China, quality unknown.
Here is a list of new parts (that you seem to be missing) from the parts place, along with my comments...

67-72 AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSOR- MOUNTS IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR $279 A boneyard unit may work if not corroded or damaged.
An A/C shop may be able to leak test it....

64-77 A/C CONDENSOR MOUNT THIS IS THE 3/4" ROUND RUBBER INSULATOR WITH A 5/16" STUD ON EACH END) $10 Bone yard part...

68-72 EVAPORATOR - MOUNTS ON FIREWALL INSIDE THE A/C BOX $229 Is yours still in there?? A boneyard unit may work if not corroded or damaged. An A/C shop may be able to leak test it....

64-72 A/C COMPRESSOR $199 (this sounds too low) Rebuilding your old one by Classic Air will be 299+ shipping... OUCH! Get new if the price is right and originality is not important!

67-72 A/C HOSE - DISCHARGE HOSE & MUFFLER (REPLACES GM # 404250) $169
67-72 A/C HOSE - GOES FROM BACK OF COMPRESSOR TO POA VALVE $119
67-72 A/C HOSE - GOES FROM CONDENSER TO DRIER LIQUID LINE $99
-If you get all these from a boneyard, Classic Air will rebuild them for about 100 a hose. A guaranteed good fit.

THERMOSTATIC VALVES
64-72 EXPANSION VALVE (NOS GM) $39 (Connects to lower evaporator line) If you get this from a boneyard, Classic Air will rebuild it for about 50. Get new if originality is not important.

RECEIVER/DRYER
68-72 RECEIVER/DRYER (NOS GM) $69 Connects to Condenser. If you get this from a boneyard, Classic Air will rebuild them for about 75. This MUST be rebuilt or bought new - it is a filter and dryer unit. Contaminates in the system can destroy other costly parts.

65-72 POA VALVE NOS GM $CALL Connects to upper evaporator line. This POA valve is a PITA to find working and will be the hardest part to find - period. They want over 400 for theirs!! There are cycling clutch conversion kits for 150 but I have not heard nice things about them.
Get this at a bone yard and ship to Classic Air for rebuild for 160 bucks. This need to be calibrated for either R12 or R134; Classic Air can do this, too after rebuild. 134 works good only if this is calibrated.
***NOTE! Your 71 may have a STV instead of a POA. The function, rarity and cost will be similar though!!

65-72 A/C BLOWER RELAY $35 This may be on the firewall by the brake booster. Boneyard part may work.

Does your A/C fan (blower) still work? If not that will be another 50 or so new / repro.

You will need the wiring, wiring diagram, and maybe a thermal compressor fuse if the 71 uses it.
Add 4 lbs of freon and the cost of an A/C shop to flush it and fill it.

If you want originality, go with the rebuilding services. If it does not matter, mix and match with new to get the right price.

Check with other parts suppliers along with the local parts houses. Many are still available over the counter!

This is not cheap but ask yourself: Is your comfort worth it?
In TX it is!! I will be restoring my A/C system next spring.

1971olds350

well, i live in south florida so you'll sweat day and night without it even in winter. originality doesn't really matter i want cold air conditioning to come out of all my original ducts in the dash. how much am i looking at for the a/c system??? and where can i buy it??

PetChemMan

I have a 1989 vehicle that used Freon R-12 in the AC when new. I'd like to add some refrigerant, but I don't know if the system has been converted to R-134 , and there are too many previous owners to be certain of any of their advice. Is there a way I can tell ? I have both R-12 and R-134 on hand.

Lady72nRob71

I think the charging ports are different sizes. 134 uses one size (and will if it was converted from R12) and R12 uses a different size.
If it was converted by a pro, there should be a decal somewhere specifying which to use.
If all else fails, have a local A/C tech look at it.

Lady72nRob71

The long post I put above this quoted some prices from The Parts Place catalog and rebuilding quotes I got from Classic Auto Air.
Estimate between 1000 and 1500 for the whole thing, depending on where you get your parts. OPG and Fusicks carries parts, along with Napa and some local places. Rebuilding / restoring my whole system will be 1200, but all my parts are there.
Since you are doing this from scratch, I recommend using 134. It will work good if the POA or STV is calibrated for it (although never as good as R12). 134 is much cheaper and easier to get.

1971olds350

yesterday i sent eBay Member: airparts8775428192 an email on how much the kit was here what he responded=====-------This system has four louvers however they cannot be connected to your existing louvers in your dash. We do have complete systems that will integrate with your existing louvers as well as your ducting behind the dash. These systems run $1395.00 price includes shipping within the Continental U.S. If we can be of any further assistance or if you wish to order just let us know. You can also call us at 1-877-542-8192.---- sounds good huh i think im going this route.. what do you think?

Lady72nRob71

Since it is going to be such a similar price, I would go the stock way - just buying the intended parts for your model and year like I outlined above.

Those "one size fits all" universal models do not always fit (or perform) as described and it may bring you more frustration then going the stock way. Also, there will be no real customer support off evil bay (lots of money at stake here, too...)
Just my opinion...

cisgww

On a 72 442 is the drier painted black like the one I removed, or aluminum like the AC Delco replacement made by Parker?

Lady72nRob71

My original is painted flat black.