Hello, I did a quick search and was unable to find the info I was looking for. If any of you have performed the switch, do you happen to have the part numbers of the fittings you used and where you purchased them? On the drivers side fitting, has anyone seen a fitting with a 90 degree bend to make it easier to access? Eitherway, if someone can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. Thankyou.

- Jim

It took some searching, but I found a 90 degree bend at NAPA. You'll need to remove the existing valve core (standard Schrader valve tool works). I put a small piece of hose over the fitting to keep it protected - it sort of hits the body on mine. Clears the hood just fine though.

Thanks for the reply. If and when I find the fittings, I'll be making sure I put up all info I find. Here's a few pictures. Jerry Lemond is searching for me as we speak. Here are some pictures circling the valves that I believe I need. Does this look right to everyone? Thanks for your time.

http://thepcguy.myvnc.com/jim/ac/P6170012.JPG
http://thepcguy.myvnc.com/jim/ac/P6170013.JPG
http://thepcguy.myvnc.com/jim/ac/P6170014.JPG
http://thepcguy.myvnc.com/jim/ac/P6170015.JPG
http://thepcguy.myvnc.com/jim/ac/P6170016.JPG
http://thepcguy.myvnc.com/jim/ac/P6170021.JPG

- Jim

Looks good...your low pressure valve is different than mine (v6)...Do you have a set of gauges? I have a $40 Harbor Freight set that works great (looks like it's made by Interdynamics). I also made a vacuum pump out of an old fridge compressor - the hard thing there was finding a 5/16" flare fitting!

I'm not going to be filling it myself (although I do have guauges), I've got a friend with all the equipment to pull a vacuum and such.

- Jim

I generally recommend not converting to R-134A. R-12 can still be had and works better.

First, I'm sure you know that you have to flush the entire system very well, as the oils used for the different refrigerents are very incompatible. Flushing through the expansion valve and getting everything out of the condensor can be next to impossible without removing them completely first.

Second, R-134A requires replacing all of the o-rings with green ones that are compatible. The black ones used for R-12 will get eaten away.

Third, sometimes you have to replace the hose set with barrier hose, as R-134A is a much smaller molecule, and thus can diffuse through some materials easily.

Fourth, your compressor will not be as well lubricated with the PAG oil used in R-134A. The oils used with R-134A are not as misible in the refrigerent (doesn't dissolve into the flow of the refrigerent and carry through the system as well), and thus the compressor suffers, eventually dying the 'black death' and having black crap go through your entire system, necessitating the replacement of the condensor, evaporator, expansion valve and dryer.

As you can tell, I am not a fan of conversions. I've done it many times (I'm a mechanical engineer and I have an AC cert), and have never had a conversion last more than a couple years before problems popped up. (Three years on average, and the problems usually started with compressor noise.)

On my mercedes, I actually converted it back after a year to R-12 after removing and flushing every single line and component and replacing the dryer (you are going to use a new dryer right?). The R-134A never worked right with the climate control computer on that car.

Anyway, that's my experience with conversions. Some people have had no problems....

Good luck

I had my 90 trooper v6 converted over to R-134A 4 years ago, added a booster fan, and all is still good. My 89 RS Trooper 2 years ago with no problems, keeps my black RS icy cold even on 100* days.

For R-12 retrofits, get one of the Johnson's Freeze 12 kits on ebay. Kit has sealer, oil, and three cans of Freeze 12. Freeze 12 is 75% R-134a and 25% R-502, cools like R-12. The kit also come with the sicker for letting everyone know your system has Freeze 12 and the special fitting adapters you are "suppose" to use on a Freeze 12 system.. If ever needed you can always top it off with 134a. I have also "heard" that a can of Freeze 12 in a 134a system that is not cooling will will really make it cool.