A/C System Rebuild

[headejm]

My A/C system is all original and all of the parts are there but it hasn't been operated since 1980. I assume I will have to rebuild most of the components and switch to R-134a. Looking for feedback on the best way to go about this. I'd like to keep it as original as possible. Thanks.

[dakota]

If you want to do the rebuild yourself, there are seal kits available that are compatible with R-134a such as this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CHRYSLER-RV2-AC-COMPRESSOR-REBUILD-KIT-/231905742553?hash=item35fea8ced9:m:mg6OtlHtygXPc-OoWb-8oPA&vxp=mtr

I went this route.   I found lots of varnish inside the compressor from the old oil decomposing, especially in the oil pan (see pic below).   You have to be very careful keeping the "old" and "new" seal parts separate because they can look a lot alike.  You will also need to avoid using any hydrocarbon oil on the parts such as the bearings because it won't be compatible with the refrigerant.  Unless you're a glutton for punishment and like taking things apart to see how they work like I do, purchasing a rebuilt unit is a much faster route to go if you want to retain the stock look.  Summit and probably others sells rebuilt RV-2 compressors compatible with 134a for about $150 if you return a core.   I live in the northeast so losing some a/c efficiency with the 134a conversion on the stock system isn't that big a deal.   If you live somewhere that the a/c is going to be needed more routinely, there are more efficient compressors and bracket systems available from Bouchillon and others that are designed to operate with 134a.

You'll need to change out the drier too because of the refrigerant change.

[dakota]

For those that might be interested, this article provides more details on rebuilding the RV2 a/c compressor:

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/34597-mopar-ac-system-restore-iii/

[dakota]

Here's some additional info from Classic Auto Air about converting a RV2 to 134a.  On my compressor, the EPR valve was removed previously.   The "I didn't know that" part of the article is the suggested addition of a low temperature cutoff switch to keep the compressor from turning into a ball of ice. 

https://originalair.com/converting-to-134a-mopar?TB_iframe=true&height=600&width=480