CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!

The a/c has not worked since I bought the car and since my compressor jus locked up and needs to be replaced I figure now is a good time to get it workin. However I do not know much about the a/c.
I know the compressor doesn't work and the system leaks what other than the compressor will be needed to fix it? And if everything needs to be replaced what are all the parts of the a/c? Any help will be appreciated thanks.

Hopefully its just leaking from the o-rings. When you change the compressor you should change the accumulator, orifice tube and o-rings. Assumimg you do that and have no leaks you'd still need to vacuum the system to get all the moisture out before you charge the system. I bought a vacuum pump and a set of gauges and recharged the system myself. It cost me about what a shop would have charged anyways.

Since you have to replace the compressor along with the accumulator and orifice tube, it would be a good time to convert to R134a which means you'll need the proper oil as well. The OEM recommended oil is PAG and the system uses 8 oz of it, if you don't have the proper tools, a shop should probably do the work for you.

Ok I'll try thoughs things first. Hopefully it is just the orings. And I'd have to take it somewhere to get it vacuumed

I'll look into that does the r134 a need a different compressor or lines or anything?

You know not real sure I would guess these days the compressor would come with the correct pag oil with r12 being so hard to get....either way compressor is the same just use the correct oil and change the o-rings.

If you were close Id try out the a/c machine I've had and not used......

some compressors come filled with oil, some don't, follow the compressors instruction sheet.

Ok thanks I'll try that. do u guys know how many o-rings there are?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3906405&cc=1056181



GPD Part # 1321269

All Seals For AC; MT2547

1983 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 5.0L 305cid V8
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Compressor
GPD Part # 7511357
R4; 1 Groove; 12:00 Coil; 4.97in Dia; Pag 46; 8011252 8oz
C $186.79 $186.79
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Condenser
PRO Part # 7013232 {#3030935, 3037308, 3040935, 52499072}

A $78.79 $78.79
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Evaporator Core
GPD Part # 4711310

B $72.79 $72.79
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Hose Assembly
GPD Part # 4811282
w/ R4 Compressor
B $54.79 $54.79
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Orifice Tube
GPD Part # 3411243
WHITE
B $0.73 $0.73
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C Receiver Drier / Accumulator
ACDELCO Part # 151255 {#02724240, 2724240}
ACCUMULATOR,A/C; Base Model
C $44.79 $44.79
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C System O-Ring & Gasket Kit
GPD Part # 1321269
All Seals For AC; MT2547
C $2.81 $2.81
Subtotal $441.49

I think these are all the parts if you had to replace the whole system assuming all the vacuum control and switches and such are good.

From my experience, better AC performance can be gained by using an aluminum AC condensor and a high flow electric fan-that is something to think about depending on climate-R134A will operate at a slightly higher ie faster pressure which means slightly less time for heat dissipation thru the condensor-this is why I would recommend an electric fan when opting for the conversion. Ideally you want to offset the higher operating pressure by finding a way to pull heat out of the system faster. If you are want to use a serpentine setup with a mech fan, make sure to use a HD truck rated thermal fan clutch with the matching truck fan. Still, going electric is better but only if a quality fan setup is used.

This is really good information thanks guys this will help a lot. Where is a good place to get these parts?

Does anyone know where to find the line that goes from the condenser to the evaporator core? It goes right over the fan gaurd .I have the two that come out of the compressor but can't find what this other line is called or who has one.

I've got all the parts and I am working on getting them in. But the instructions for the compressor don't say wat to do other than add oil. I know I should use pag but do you know how much and do I just dump it in? Does any other parts need oil put in other than when you charge it?

the system takes a total of 8 ounces, I put 4 in the compressor, in the suction port and rotate it for about 6 revolutions, and the other 4 in the accumulator. hope this helps.

Yes that helps a lot thanks does it matter where in the accumulator?

I put it in the inlet side, where the pipe comes out of the evaporator.

Just know, if you take A/C advice from Leo, your glasses will fog up when you get out of the car!

Lol that's good thanks for the help

True, but very funny Bernie, esp on hot, humid days.

Hey- thanks for all the help. I coudn't have done it without you guys. Now I'm trying to get my vents working. My purple vacuum line that plugs into that ball is dry rotted and broken, so today I was working on replacing that. I found a black vacuum line that is running right next to the purple one that is taped to it. It plugs into that same ac control hub as the purple one is inside the car. But underneath the hood, the black line is not plugged into anything. Do you guys know where this black line is supposed to go?

the vacuum ball?

The purple one went to the vaccuum ball

OK, I see that on my pic, there needs to be a vacuum source, I think it comes from a fitting on the back of the engine.

No I have that. I found where it goes. It goes to the heater core line to that shut off thing.