I'm new to the forum. Just bought a '68 firebird which is a factory a/c car. Just wondering what people here have been using in place of R12 refrigerant and how well it works.
I would stick to R12 or the R134a whichever you choose. R12 will be colder but more expensive. If the system is/looks factory original, changing out the hoses may not be a bad idea as well. Have someone service it properly with the refrigerant you choose. Stay away from those aftermarket gimmicky refrigerants, plus nobody will touch the system once you've introduced something other than the 12 or 134a. Just my opinion.
I did my buddies 69 gutlass over the summer. I have been converting them for years. I purge out all of the 12 with a can of 134, then change out the drier. Pull the system into a vacuum for at least 1/2 hour,let it sit with guages hooked up to verify no leaks, add a couple ounces of 134a oil and seal conditioner. Then weigh in your 134. I made an adapter to hook up a 134 can to my r12 guages. This way you will not see the or need the 134a conversion kit. It is recomended you change hoses and seals, but 134 is cheap enough to take a chance. You may notice a little less cooling at idle, but when you are moving 134 does very well. 134 works very well but likes airflow. The old ones have very large systems, you should be plenty comfortable.
