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Re-reinstalling A/C questions?

1K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  elliott 
#1 ·
Hello all! Well, summer is almost here, and I dont enjoy 40 degree weather while idiling in traffic.

My 1988 Cutlass Supreme had factory A/C. Somebody did a motor swap to a small block chevy, and kind of hooked everything up. By this I mean, put the pieces in place, minus a few lines, but didn't actually get it running. So, please bare with my, these questions are probably stupid, but I dont get alot of things ;) .

If I have all the components, and install them using brackets from a scraped SBC G-body with A/C, is it just a matter of running approved lines (maybe from the same scraped car?) between the components and hooking up the electrical? Im fairly certain the old refringerant has been drained from the stuff.

Is there a way after I have everything mechanically hooked up to pressure-check the system to make sure I am not leaking?

That cheap refigerant in a can they sell at Canadain tire...is it any good? Or at least, good enough to blow cold air out of my car for a couple of months?

Finally, how much power loss in general with the system hooked up, when its not turned on though? Im guessing 3-5, if that?

Thank you for any input.
 
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#2 ·
Your system is made for R12 refrigerant.

OF everything is there. theres no Guarantee that the system is clean and the compressor is not bad.

If everything is there and all it will cost you is a couple cans of refrigerant then go for it. You might get lucky.

I doubt that you'll be able to get the system running without new lines, accumulator, filter, compressor and extensive cleaning of the rest of the system.
 
#3 ·
You can take it to a shop that does A/C work and have them pull a vacuum on the system. Check it a few days later, if it holds a vacuum, it will hold a charge. That doesn't mean everything else will be good to go though.

Also, there is virtually no measurable power loss with the A/C system hooked up and not turned on. The compressor has a clutch, with that disengaged, it spins freely.
 
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