I just purchased a 1961 Starfire. Restroation is far along, just finishing radio, heater, windshield however AC is giving me a problem. Does anyone know a shop that could go thru the ac system from start to finish! I am in the Washington DC area.

 

I would suggest that you just replace everything. I haven't worked on GM AC units in quite awhile; but I imagine the parts are available but not cheap. I have been down this road several times with older AC units which had R 12 in them originally and are corroded internally. You usually end up replacing everything eventually.

 

When you convert R12 to R134a you need to have your compressor rebuilt, replace the hi and low pressure hoses, put in a new orifice tube, and replace the receiver/drier. The condensor and evaporator don't need to be replaced. However, on an older system (ie. one on a classic car) I think it would be a good idea to have the system flushed to make sure you don't have any crud in the condensor or evaporator.

I converted the AC on my 1990 Buick Estate Wagon as I described above and it worked like a champ. It didn't blow as cold as the factory manual said but it was might CHILLY during the middle of summer. For AC parts you should try Kanter or Fusick.

 

This is true. I didn't think that R-134a might be a bad choice for a classic car. You wouldn't want to go through all the trouble of rebuilding and retrofitting the AC system to have it blow tepid air.

I've heard of this stuff before. Supposedley it works really well, if you don't mind the fact that it is flammable as hell. But then again, so is gasoline.

 

A great A/c shop in S Portland, Maine . Call Gerard Russo , owner of Auto/Air Ice.
Maybe he can help you
(207) 773-8735 Mon-Fir, 8-4 EST