A/C Conversion from Freon to R134A??

[chaps70rt]

I am in the midst of piecing together the necessary parts to re-install the original air con.   I was wondering if anyone has successfully installed an original style (or repro) A/C Evaporator in their heater box that runs with a new SANDEN compressor with R-134A.   If so, please drop me a line.   I would like to maintain the original stuff on the dash and under, but am being told that it is better to swap it all.    I have to also consider the shaker set up as it is being added to my resto.

I am not convinced it won't work, so I am asking those that may have already invested the effort and time.   

Cheers ..... CHAPS70RT
 

[miketyler]

I converted my system to R134a and works great. The heater box is rebuilt but is all stock. In fact, only equipment from firewall forward was upgraded. All else is OEM equipment. I definitely would go with the Sanden AC unit unless you are concerned with originality.

[Aussie Challenger]

  R134 is not as efficient as R12 so it is better to fit as big a condensor as you can fit in front of the radiator, the plus side is that the inside of a E body is smaller than some cars and should be OK.   

[miketyler]

Honestly, I cant tell the diffrence. Also, the original system held nearly three cans of R12. The new system holds only 1.5 cans. 

[chaps70rt]

Thanks Guys .... that is really helpful.  I think I will proceed with my original plans and for the original A/C evaporator and use new parts up front where necessary.  I am concerned about originality from the interior side of things.   Under the hood is already not original, so I figured I just get it done the most convenient way possible.   With a shaker set up the original A/C doesn't fit .... so I am into aftermarket whether I like it or not.

Thanks again ...... CHAPS70RT
 

[miketyler]

Were you going big block? Bouchillon has two kits that will work with a shaker. One of them neatly hides the AC below the alternator. The other uses a a dual belt drive system. 

http://www.bouchillonperformance.com/BPEACmountingbrackets.asp
 

[chaps70rt]

Hi Mike .... where did you route your CARB AIR cable through the firewall to get it to work with the larger A/C heater box??

Thanks ... CHAPS

[roadman5312]

                 Some R134/R12 conversion info.          http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=108166.0