1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

[Clarence B.]

If a low mileage ,very original ,74 with the L82 and factory AC-has been converted to R134a-will it lose points when judged? It has the new charge ports on the AC hoses that have the red and blue charge port caps. But the A-6 compressor and hoses are original.

The engine bay doesn't look factory because of these new colorful charge port caps -but how is this judged? My NCRS Judging Guide makes no reference to how R134a conversions are handled . The Judges wouldn't expect us to use R12 still-would they?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

Clarence, You may be able to remove the R134 fittings, depending on the type that was used, years ago I converted many R12 systems and they had a fitting that uses the old Schrader Valve(s) and the replacement 134 fitting used a plunger that just depresses the original Schrader valve. If this is what you have you can just install the old school caps back on. Also note that you may have some Loctite on the R134 fittings , Take a hairdryer and warm up the fittings and work back and forth to free up.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

Look at how many judging points the entire AC hoses pipes and clamps system carries, then calculate how many points could be alloted to tiny details such as the colour of the caps.

If it was me, maybe a 'dot' and a written explanation.

[Brian M.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

You could also make the caps black.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

. The Judges wouldn't expect us to use R12 still-would they?

I rebuilt the AC system on a 1976 a year ago, and we used R-12 when we filled it up. It works great and the owner is thrilled to have a perfectly working system.

So yes, it's available, can be used and is expected, so to speak.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

It is true that the supply of R-12 is ever-diminishing as worldwide manufacture of it ceased many years ago. However, the universe of vehicles using it is also diminishing and, perhaps, even faster than the supply of R-12. The last vehicles I know of that used R-12 were manufactured in the mid 90's and many of those originally using it have been since converted. So, there may come a day when there's more R-12 around than vehicles needing it.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

I think one point would be the deduction and painted black caps may go unnoticed.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

Clarence,
I converted a 74 to R-134 and used the same hoses and fittings. We made a simple adapter to charge thru the R-12 fittings. I am happy with the cooling.

DOM

[Mark E.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

The 134 charging caps are installed as a visual indicator so the next tech working on it knows what refrigerant is used.

For shows, just unscrew them and replace with your original caps.

[Brian M.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

R 12 caps are a different size. That's a good enough indication of the refrigerant used, paint them black. JMHO

[Mark E.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

Brian,

Clarence said he has new R-134 charge ports on the original hoses, so I'm assuming R-134 adapter ports/caps were simply added to his hoses.

If this is the case, all he needs to do is unscrew the R-134 adapter ports/caps and replace with the original R-12 caps and then remember the system has R-134 not R-12 when it's serviced.

[Brian M.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

And that's where problems start. JMHO

Brian,

Clarence said he has new R-134 charge ports on the original hoses, so I'm assuming R-134 adapter ports/caps were simply added to his hoses.

If this is the case, all he needs to do is unscrew the R-134 adapter ports/caps and replace with the original R-12 caps and then remember the system has R-134 not R-12 when it's serviced.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

My A/C tech used adaptors that he took off when the charge was done.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1974 L82:lose points if factory AC has been converted to R134A?

I just looked at the Mechanical Judging Sheets. The caps are in one of the 8 point line items. The caps would have to weighed against the other items in the line. If the Caps are weighed at 25% of the 8 point, then the deduction is 20& (configuration) of 2 points. Net, it's .4. You probably get a slash with a DOT.

I would not worry about it unless you have other big number deductions and your trying to hit 97%.

Is the cost to disguise the caps as R12 caps worth a potential dot?