My factory A/C system is slowly leaking freon in multiple locations. The A/C Delco compressor has a date code of '82.
On a matching numbers 350 engine in a mostly orig. car, it still smart to upgrade to Vintage Air or should I have the orig system rebuilt? With labor, what are the price differences? I need a good A/C here in Phoenix!
I personally think you are better off keeping it original. I also suspect it will be cheaper to fix the leaks on the original system if everything else works. Most likely the leak is in the hoses or O-Rings.
R-12 may be hard to come by or at least expensive. I have factory air and a full 30lbs container of R-12. It is definitely colder at idle with R-12. Since I have a numbers matching care and original AC it was a no brainer for me to keep it factory. You can buy the O-ring kit at a local place in Phoenix. Desert68 (a member here) picked them up for me and shipped them. I can get you the info if you want.
Ed
Here is the P/N CP3011 but I can't find where I bought them. Maybe Lambert (desert68) can remember? You may try a search on the net too.
You don't have to run the old freon in the AC. I was told this by a a good friend of mine who is a Chevy mechanic. You just have to make sure all the seals are good. Mine has it's original AC and is running the new refrigerant, and blows nice and cold in the summer.
R-12 definitely blows a little colder than the replacement freons when using the old equipment. If I lived in Arizona, I would stay with R-12. If you look on Ebay you can still get R-12. It is more expensive, but available. Also I've heard it is a large molecule so it tends to leak less than the newer freons.