Who has gotten their factory air conditioning working again?

Did you convert to 134?
Are there any resources to do this?

Any competent resto outfits out there to recommend?

Thanks

Classic auto air

Ask me in a month or two. My convertible's AC is getting restored right now. It's at a shop now, and he sent the components to a place in Florida I think, to be rebuilt.
He is going to use freon after putting it back together. I asked about 134, I guess you need to change a valve, some seals and maybe the condensor.
After 20 years of owning the car, with the AC stuff all stored in a couple boxes because the previous owner didn't put it back on when he restored it, I'm looking forward to having it back where it belongs and hopefully working!

Will keep in touch Mastershake.

71rm, looking for getting original working,
Not aftermarket, but thanks for the suggestion

Do you want to restore it to new appearance and operation or just get it working again? Classic Auto Air can restore your components (compressor,dryer,hoses...). If you just want to repair the system you can purchase parts like compressor/dryer/expansion valve at the local parts store. I used a reman compressor, expansion valve and dryer from the parts store on my Charger, I was not happy with the dryer(it was a little different than original and pressure switch didn't fit but I made it work. I flushed the hoses/condenser/evaporator, evacuated and recharged with R12. It works great but I wouldn't call it restored with the old hoses and incorrect dryer.

A few weeks before my car went to the shop, I was talking to a local '71 GTX owner at a cruise, and of course I was very interested in his restored original AC system. He told me something the shop owner working on my car didn't know, which is that original driers can be restored. They cut the bottom off, replace the desiccant, weld the bottom back, and paint, to restore the original. Glad I found that out, as mine is now being restored instead of getting replaced!
The GTX had been converted to 134. The owner told me it works so well, his wife sometimes complains it's too cold and he has to turn off the AC!

I understand. That's why they can, and do, RESTORE your original stuff. And just what Ply72 said too

Napa did sell a new drier for 70 b-body that looked like the original. I heard you can bake the drier on an oven to clean it out.

I got an original system working with R-12 and it was working great.
The oil should be changed if you are not rebuilding the compressor.
R-134 uses different oil than R-12.

If you've ever cut an old drier open you'd never think of trying to resurrect one by baking. The desiccant is contained in a mesh pouch and the pouch usually gets crumbly with age.

Cool, I wasn't sure where your line of thought was.
That's great that Classic Air can restore original components, was not aware, thank you.

Just want it working like it should , and appearing like stock !

Does Classic air authorized dealers that will restore A/C systems?
From what I saw on their website it appears they just sell kits, not clear they restore original systems.

I got a call today from the guy working on my Challenger convertible. He got an invoice from the place restoring my AC components he needs me to contact to pay, and also wanted me to order a few parts he needs. The place is Classic Auto Air in Tampa FL. I needed to buy a new AC heater core, and found Rock Auto carries Spectra for $55 ($60 after 5% discount and shipping), and I needed a heater box seal and gasket rebuild kit, that was $99+ 8 shipping from DMT. I still need to get a Evaporator and Classic Auto air has those, for $250.
When all is said and done, I think I will probably end up with around $2500 in new parts, restoring existing parts, and labor, to get my AC back on the car.

Thanks 71rm23. Was hoping there would be a place further up the east coast.

Mastershake, sounds like the same place your guy wants you to get parts from.
$2500 was what I thought max would be to get A/C working again.

Keep us posted on progress, hoping it goes well.

I looked at the invoice I need to pay to the AC place in Tampa. It is $350 to rebuild the compressor, $110 to restore the drier, $319 for a new condenser, and I think its $150 for the clutch.
I already had a NOS water shut off valve sitting around. Those can be pricy, but I heard the later mid 70s B body ones are the same with a different bracket, and can be had for around $50. My shut off didn't have a bracket but I got one for around $30 from Megaparts. I still need the wiring harness, and a couple brackets for the condenser, mine are missing. I think his estimate for the labor was in the neighborhood of $600. And whatever he charges me for the R12.
So that is where I am coming up with the estimate I'll have $2500 plus or minus a couple 100 in this project going from a couple boxes of old grimy and dusty AC components off my car, to back restored, installed and working.

Thanks for the breakdown

One thing I fortunately didn't have to have restored, are the lines. My rubber is in very good condition, but if yours are cracked or deteriorated, they need to be rebuilt, and I don't know what that costs. Mine will just need to have the fittings cleaned up and painted or polished.
My Challenger is a 383 car, and I am glad I had my lines, as E body big block AC lines are getting to be close to being made of unobtainium, I am told. I asked the guy working on my car to keep mine in a safe with an armed guard until safely installed back on the car.

Ok, good point, will keep that in mind.

Think I spent around $2500 for everything in my AC on the 70 sport satellite. Got lines rebuilt by classic, along with water valve, rebuilt compressor, found nos condenser, new heater core and evaporator. Disassembled the heater/ac unit under the dash, cleaned and installed it -ensuring all vaccum parts and electrical parts (new fan) operated. AC lines were "new" with the old ends crimped back on - all for r134. System works great ! Can see your breath ! Went to Missoula Montana show last weekend, 102F outside, 70mph and ice cold inside the car. No engine overheating - even in stop and go traffic !

Thanks A12 good to hear !
Did you ship all the parts to Classic for resto?

Yup, I took pics of everything and then shipped off to Classic. That was just the lines, and the water valve. I had found the compressor and condenser off ebay though . . .