Looking to convert my 84 & 88 Cutlass from R12 to R134. I waslanning on just chaging out reciever/dry and purging as much old oil as I can. How much new oil and R134 should I install?

Whats the perfered method for the switch over?

 

I 've got a '67 toronado, had been sitting for 18 years.... took to a friend of mine to convert, he did a vacumn check, was OK, switched the fittings, gave it a squirt of oil, filled with 134........ works good !

 

My father has been in the automotive a/c business for over 45 years.
As far as I know, the oil might have to been changed (R-12 compressors use mineral oil). In some cases the hoses might haave to be changed (higher PSI with R-134). The photos you see of my red Toronado, was converted to R-134, about 10 years ago.
Personally I like R-12 much better, and the R-134 jazz is a 20th & 21st century scam.

 

X2

i have converted many R12 systems to 134A. i just get the conversion kit from the parts store and go by the instructions on the box. i have never had a problem. i have never converted anything pre 77 but hear some of the older systems with old style valves will not work with 134.

 

The orifice tube should be changed as well because R134A is a smaller molecule that R12 is and thus requires a smaller opening to operate properly within the system.

I would go through and at the very least replace all of the o-rings and probably the lines. Do a pressure test of the system and then fill it.

 

If you pressure test and "fill it" you will have problems. You need to vacuum the system to Minimum 1000 micron. Any compound other than the R134 will not condense correctly and cause problems. Usually not a DIY project. You need specialty tools. Guages, refrigerant scale, reclaim unit, vacuum pump.

 

I have yet to hear of anyone who's said that their R134-converted R12 system is as cold as the original R12. Pay for real R12 while it's still around - and with the amount of recovery from all the old R12-based A/C systems from buildings, etc, it'll be available for awhile yet.

Like Halon, there is nothing that performs evenly with R12. Long live CFCs.

 

I converted one of my '76 Ninety Eights a few years back and all I did was change the O-rings, install the fittings, and charge evacuate the system with some oil. It may not be AS cold as R-12 but it's way cheaper and readily available and I still have to lower the controls because it gets uncomfortably cold!

 

change fittings pull a vacume and you are good to go, ive never had a problem but the 134 does not get as cold as the 12 does, but it does work ok
Frank Allen
55 olds

 

Done many of these. Unless you go all the way through the system, its a hit and miss deal.

My best luck with drop in stuff has been with a product called Freeze 12.

sb