ThumpinLow

New to the forum. Howdy all.

92 f-150 302 5.0L.
My ac system has not worked for some time. It ran cool, but not cold. Then, one day started to smoke the belt while engaged. Compressor still turned but dragging. Disconnected the clutch wire to keep from accidental engagements on the road. 27 year old system, I thought about replacing everything.. even more with a comp gone bad. I can buy all the parts for 550 on rock auto. Still able to get some Motorcraft parts. Never done AC work, but just about everything else on the truck. So do I refill with r12, or with 134a? Thanks to the old man, I have a full case of r12, but I know down the road if I have any issues, may become harder and more expensive to get. Ive read that r134a does not do well in traffic conditions, which I find myself sitting in to and from work. I have the stock clutch fan, but with new system, pretty sure I would add an efan to help out during long idle times.

Thanks for any input.

3/5 lowered.

sdmartin65

If it where me and I had a case of R12 I'd stick with it, especially if you are in a hot climate. If you go through the system replacing all o rings and hoses as needed you'll get another 20 years service whatever goes back in. I'm sure you've driven the newer cars on the road and the AC just doesn't compare to and old R12 system.

Steve83

Of course, thousands of people have switched. But most of them did it WRONG which is why so many of them blame the refrigerant.

Modern vehicle built with R134a cool MUCH BETTER than old R12s did when they were new. (I know because I was alive in the 60s.) But a converted system will NEVER work as well as one designed for it. So get the one designed for it - lift the complete system out of a '94-96 ('97 >8500GVWR) F-series/Bronco with a 5.0L/5.8L (so the compressor bolts up to your truck's engine) and it'll freeze you out. But you have to get it ALL, including the hood latch support, and the rubber flaps between the condenser & grill. Click this & read the caption:


(phone app link)

Hacking an e-fan in will make the truck run hotter, and burn out the alternator. If you don't already have it, browse your local JYs for the stock 7-blade fan & clutch from any serpentine-driven 5.0L/5.8L. It's the best fan for a truck with A/C.

Sell the R12 to someone licensed to use it.