Replacement air conditioner lines etc?

[BLK BRD 88]

I have been told that I should replace my air conditioner lines on my 84 SVO because they have been contaminated by mixing R134 & R12 in the system.

My first question is, what year did Ford first begin using R134 in their new cars?
Secondly, would it be advisable to replace not only, all of the lines, but also the compressor?
Thirdly, would a later model Mustang R134 compressor & lines bolt onto my car without making modifications?

Thanks for any help you might offer me on this problem.
Ron

[Mike S]

Why not just take it to an auto AC service to have them flush the system, then convert it to R134?

[BLK BRD 88]

Why not just take it to an auto AC service to have them flush the system, then convert it to R134?

I guess because I have also been told that the old systems (like came on my SVO) were not designed for the kind of pressures that R134 has.
Ron

[Meotchh]

I have been told that I should replace my air conditioner lines on my 84 SVO because they have been contaminated by mixing R134 & R12 in the system.

My first question is, what year did Ford first begin using R134 in their new cars?
Secondly, would it be advisable to replace not only, all of the lines, but also the compressor?
Thirdly, would a later model Mustang R134 compressor & lines bolt onto my car without making modifications?

Thanks for any help you might offer me on this problem.
Ron

1. Not sure when they started running R134 from the factory? I'm sure a google search could answer that, I'm just short on time right now.
2. You should be able to get by using the same compressor as long as it is not the reason the cool air stopped blowing.
3. NO, any other compressor will not simply bolt on without making modifications.

Have you thought about checking into a shop that can refill R12? Although, if you need new lines & all, you may as well retrofit. I had to replace all seals, oil & recharge with R12. Took the shop about 1.2hours & cost me around $400. Worth it to keep the car as original as possible. Spare NOS compressor with clutch was on hand just in case it was needed.

[BLK BRD 88]

1. Not sure when they started running R134 from the factory? I'm sure a google search could answer that, I'm just short on time right now.
2. You should be able to get by using the same compressor as long as it is not the reason the cool air stopped blowing.
3. NO, any other compressor will not simply bolt on without making modifications.

Have you thought about checking into a shop that can refill R12? Although, if you need new lines & all, you may as well retrofit. I had to replace all seals, oil & recharge with R12. Took the shop about 1.2hours & cost me around $400. Worth it to keep the car as original as possible. Spare NOS compressor with clutch was on hand just in case it was needed.

Duh,
I thought R12 was illegal for shops to install. If not, why did we ever get forced into having to use R134?
Ron
PS I checked on Google. There is some inconsistency, but it looks like the change was required sometime between 94 to 97

[Mike Croke]

R12 is still legal to use in systems originally equipped with R12. It also requires a license to purchase, possess, and install. By comparison, I can walk into Autozone, purchase every can of R134 they have in stock and promptly vent every last ounce out in the parking lot.

It is recommended to change out the hoses to Barrier Hose. The original hoses are fine for R12 but permeable to R134. So if you're considering converting to R134 now or in the future, replacing the original rubber is a good idea.

For our SVO, we were guided by a friend to take the stock hoses to AAPAK (http://www.aapak.com/). They re-man'd the hoses keeping the original hard fittings at the ends and replacing the rubber hose sections with Barrier Hose. Cheap too, like we got all the lines re-done for less than $75 while we waited.

[BLK BRD 88]

It is recommended to change out the hoses to Barrier Hose. The original hoses are fine for R12 but permeable to R134. So if you're considering converting to R134 now or in the future, replacing the original rubber is a good idea.

For our SVO, we were guided by a friend to take the stock hoses to AAPAK (http://www.aapak.com/). They re-man'd the hoses keeping the original hard fittings at the ends and replacing the rubber hose sections with Barrier Hose. Cheap too, like we got all the lines re-done for less than $75 while we waited.

Thanks for that info Mike.
Is that AAPAK near Grand & McDowell? I think I had better give them a try. Did you also replace your accumulator when you converted to R134? I have been told that this is critical.
Ron

[BrianM]

I don't know what all was done to mine by the previous owner to convert to R134 (probably just O rings and accumulator) but the AC lines and compressor are original. My AC blows ice cold on a 95 degree day with 95% humidity.

[Mike Croke]

Ron, ours is still R12.

Yes, AAPAK is near there. I actually made their name in the previous post a link but it doesn't show as a different color.

[BLK BRD 88]

Ron, ours is still R12.

Yes, AAPAK is near there. I actually made their name in the previous post a link but it doesn't show as a different color.

Yep, I just had to pass my cursor over the name & I got their web page....thanks
I called them this afternoon & they said to pull the lines & they can retrofit them in about two hours.
Ron

[Chalky]

Classic Auto Air will rebuild you original receiver/drier for $95. Be careful with the suction hose, they are SVO specific and unobtanium!!!!

[KevinK]

What about the orafice and the compressor? Will they hold up to r134?

[KevinK]

1995 was when Ford started using r134 on new cars. Only new design models got it first.

[BLK BRD 88]

Classic Auto Air will rebuild you original receiver/drier for $95. Be careful with the suction hose, they are SVO specific and unobtanium!!!!

Chalky,
Just to be clear is the suction hose the one that passes up near the shock tower and has the fat insulation wrap on it or the one that passes low?
Ron

[Chalky]

The one that passes high by the intercooler is the suction hose.

[BLK BRD 88]

The one that passes high by the intercooler is the suction hose.

Thanks Chalky, that is what I thought, but wanted to be sure.
The insulating foam on mine is all cracked and part of it has fallen off.
I plan to get the hoses replaced next week and hopefully can get the bad insulation replaced at the same time.
Ron