I'm looking to get the A/C working again in my '69 Thunderbird. It still has the original York compressor in it and optioned with automatic temperature control. It hasn't been serviced in the last 4 years or so. I've been told that converting to 145 won't cool as good as R12. It seems that the auto shops in Owasso really interested in working on it for me. Can anyone recommend a shop in the Tulsa area? I'm planning on doing this in the spring.

 

I wonder if Tim Campbell here in Skiatook would do it. I've dealt with him and know many others that have, all with good results.

 

Hey Mike! Have you thought about just doing the work yourself? AC's are not very hard when you get into them, and these older ones are even easier. I'll PM you about the R12, but do you already know where the hole is?

 

Thanks for the tip Gary. I will stop by or give them a call one of these days.

 

I'd like to learn how to work on this system, but don't have the knowledge or equipment. I have no clue where the leak is. As far as I can guess it could be anywhere from an o-ring to the evaporator the to compressor itself. Last time I had it serviced a local shop here in Owasso did it using (Freeze 12), but after a year it had leaked out.

 

A year is a very slow leak. Here's what I'd do:

Buy a handheld blacklight flashlight. Led ones are about 4.00 at O'Reillys
Buy an R12 hose and cans - more cans than you need because you'll need to refill it twice.
When you hook the can on the hose, squirt just a little R12 out of the hose to "purge" it and get any air out before putting it on the low pressure line on the T-bird.
Now turn the engine on (running) and turn the AC to max cold, high blower.

Fill it up with R12 with dye until it reaches the green area on your hose gauge. (hoses come with gauges that tell you about where to fill to).


Then just drive it for a few months. The R12 will leak out slowly, forming a dye marker at the bad ring, seal, or hole. Once you find the dye just replace the faulty part and refill with R12. You'll be good to go.

 

Did you try pennical, mike takes on about everything

 

They were the first ones I talked to. He expressed no interest and gave my a bunch of reasons for not converting to 134. Didn't try to sell me the idea of hunting down the leak and sticking with R12. I feel that since he moved into his larger facility, he's gotten to big. I remember when he (Mike) would take time out to talk to you, now he seems to busy to spend time for his customers.

 

we need some pics of that sexy machine.

 

Here you go...

 

Beautiful!!!

 

Thank you.

 

oh yeah baby! sweet ride!
being the 4 door,you should always show off those rear suicide doors in pics....least i would anyway.


my '68

 

"SelectAire Conditioner with Automatic Climate Control"

$499.22 option in '69.sounds pretty reasonable right? until you figure out what kind of coin that is,in today's standards.
$3,235.24!

looks like you've also got;
Brougham Cloth and Vinyl Interior
- Full-width seat ($161.98) $1,049.73 today's money.

AM Pushbutton Radio/StereoSonic Tape System - which means 8 track i suppose? lol.
($128.49) $832.69 today's money.

Highway Pilot Control - which is the cruise control i see most likely.
($97.21) $629.98 today's money.

 

Very sweet ride, love those back seats in a 2 door, just like a living room couch!!!

I have added a right hand door mirror to help with the giant blind spot. Even thought they aren't correct for a '69 Thunderbird, I think they look pretty good. I actually bought them at LMC Truck...

I also added the very rare HI View stop lights in the rear window.