This looks like a good way to deal with aging flare connections. Think I'll look into them, since I'm rebuilding my dealer-installed air conditioning just now.

Flaretite Seals - Clip the Drip!

What do you guys think?

This was the article I ran across that discussed them:

http://machinedesign.com/article/fla...pressures-0913

 

What refrigerant will you go with? I just did my wifes BMW using the R152 (canned air, dust destroyer) and it worked great.

I'm in the process of putting my SA AC back in so I'll keep an eye your progress here.

 

interesting. couldn't hurt to use those where you can i suppose.

as far as refrigerants go, i would look at the cost of R12, R134 and whatever else, last time i did AC work, R12 was about the same money as R134, and it works better....

 

I'll probably go with R12 as that's what the system was designed for.

Having trouble finding the proper receiver/dryer, though. Everybody carries the 'factory air' version, but nobody's been able to deliver the different one used with "dealer-installed air," which is what I have.

Rock Auto had a listing for one, but they ended up cancelling my order as they couldn't get one. I had Black Dragon send me a photo of the one they list, and it's factory air as well.

 

Have you tried the Four Season web page?, I got mine there.

 

i just installed today the A/C back in my SA. I havent put any freon yet i might just order the flaretite seals.

 

Haven't but will now!

Pretty sure that's where Rock Auto gets theirs from.

4Seasons part # 33362... but they don't seem to sell off their site?

 

Where are yall getting R12 from?

I thought it was off the market?

 

everybody hoarded it, so there is tons around

 

I've heard that R134 will leak through the stock r12 hoses. I upfitted mine to R134 since it's what I have available at work and it's gone in 2 weeks. Been to lazy to get back at it this year with some dye. New o-rings everywhere and new expansion valve. Might be leaking from the compressor when running, but I wonder about this leak through the hose bit.

 

R12 compressors have trouble pushing 134.

 

It has been my experience that cars converted from R-12 to R-134 just did not cool quite as well, especially when idling. When I asked a/c technicians they said it was because the 134 needed a larger condenser coil. I was one of the hoarders so I stayed with the 12 AND installed a larger condenser. My ac now performs as well as my wifes brand new car, never thougt Id see that!

 

134 is just not as efficient. So a system based on R12 will never be as cold. 2.25lbs of R134 got me the best pressure differential.

 

this is the only place i found that sell it online FLARETITE SEAL,3/4"

 

if you put r134 in a r12 system it will leak as the molecules are smaller( i do alot of a/c work on cars but also for residential and commercial which is r22 r410a and others) but the oils they use in r12 are different in r12 than they are in r134a and if mixed they will create acid in the line ruining the components. you can still find r12 as i stock piled it but you need a 609 license to buy it. they can still legally sell it but they cant manufacture it and i went to united refrigeration to get sum r22( which theyre tryin to get rid of cuz its compossed of r12, but thats another story) and saw r12 there for sale . It was $1099.00 for a 30lb tank!!! your system will use probably 1and 1/2 pounds to 2lb if i remember correctly. r134a was only just under 400bucks for a 30lb tank. so in the long run it would by cheaper to have it retrofitted. but for knowledge purposes nothing cools like r12. you can thank the ****** hippies for taking away our r12. just dont use propane as ive seen this, and it contaminated our machine!but dont mix r12 and 134a or the system will fail even if properly evacuated!