Original Air Conditioning Recommendations

[JimVillers]

I am continuing to work on a friends engine while the chassis is getting metal and paint.

My current questions is that the car has original Freon R-12 air conditioning.  My thoughts are to keep the correct components but to convert it to R134a.  The issue is hose connections are original metal to metal connections and all conversion kits use O-rings for the connections.  I will need to replace the top connections on the York compressor to get the new R-134a connections so I will need to change that hose connection.  I have not looked at dryers but I assume that they also will use the O-ring connections. 

So, is this just a custom hose issue or should the expansion valve, condenser, evaporators or controls be replaced?   
   

[ja17]

Jim, most  use an adapter for the charging valve and leave all the components  as is. Otherwise custom hoses fabrication may be required. If you go custom, then it is best to upgrade to a new rotary style compressor and new components with the o-ring style connections. As you are probably aware, the rotary style compressor is so much smoother and more efficient than the old uprights. If you want to get into a bit more engineering you can re-locate the compressor above and get rid of the original "monster" AC bracket.

[Benz Dr.]

Or, not do it at all plus do they guy a favour and remove it.

[JPMOSE]

Why not keep it with R12?   It cools better and is very obtainable on Ebay.

[JimVillers]

After discussing it with David, he decided to upgrade to a rotary compressor.   That will lead to swapping some of the other components and hoses but hopefully save the original under-dash components.

Thanks as always.