Trying to make up my mind about recharging my "87" Dodge truck with R-12 or doing the conversion. just has bubbles in the sight glass and still blows half ass cold.any ideas??

I just went through the same deal with my truck. The guy at the air conditioning place told me if the system was designed for R12, it will work better with R12.

If the system is otherwise OK... just down on refrigerant after many years I'd try to add the R12 first. I don't know what the current going rate is for a pound of R12, but I'll bet its a lot less than a conversion, done correctly, to newer refrigerant.

If you have significant problems that require completly emptying the system and replacing components, I'd go for the conversion.

I'm not an expert, but the simplest conversion requires draining and flushing the system to get all the old oil out, changing all O rings, changing the filter/dryer and changing the expansion valve. The original hoses, even though they may not be rated for the newer refrigerant should be OK.

The original condensor, in front of the radiator, may be marginal. For full performance a higher capacity condensor may be required (optional).

As I've learned, repairing/rebuilding AC systems isn't cheap so that's why trying a pound of R12 first may be a good idea.

Here's what I did on my '89 Taurus. System still had a bit of R12 in it so I added a couple of cans of ESTER lubricant and filled it with 134A until the air coming out of the vents was about 36 degrees. It worked just fine for three years but now I have to add some more 134A because it doesn't get very cold, there's a slow leak. Total cost was less than $40.
If you are going to pay someone to do it maybe keeping it r12 is okay, because shops don't want to work on "bastardized" systems. But in my case I figured it was worth the risk and it really paid off, especially with the law being if the R12 leaked out the leak HAS TO BE FIXED before it is recharged by a repair shop and that means buying maybe three pounds at $100 a pound. Even if they pumped two pounds out!

R.

1991 Caravantookout a/c box emptied system Put together and did nothing except charge system with R-134 that was pushing 4 years ago 90 degree's the other day and I had 41 degree air coming out of system
You need some r-12 e mail me i just want to sell it Mopar cans to boot

When I bought my Dart it had been converted to R-134A. AC was so-so. I switched back over to R-12 and it is COLD in there.

There is a refrigerant called hotshot can't think of the number right now but it'/ compatible with r12 and 134a but you have to be licensed to buy it.

If you need R-12, I've got a good bunch here (Pittsburgh) for sale, cheap.

PM me.

Thanks,All the help is appeciated

if it is a slow leak that has taken years to make itself known, just top it off with r12. IIRC, R12 prices have fallen way from their peak because demand has gone way down as well.

I recall there are some small bottles of R12 available on the markets. Are there some restrictions for selling R12 directly for consumers or over the border?

You have to have a license to buy R12. But you can get freeze12 without one.

I use Duracool,it is a direct drop in it works great.

Cans are available on e-bay from 15-20.00. Most sellers want a statement you will have a licenced tech install it.