I am looking for a fitting that I can just hook my r12 size gauges up to the high side ac service port. I can get the permanent adapter from auto zone. But that requires removing the valve core and bleeding the system! I do a lot of these trucks ac systems and I would like to be able to read the high side easily. I just want an adapter that I can screw on easily and take off and keep it in my box. Does anyone know what that fitting is called and the size of it specifically? Like is it 1/4 or 1/8 Idk! Thanks

 

Its a schrader valve. should be 1/4 inch i believe.

 

Since you're asking about hooking R12 gauge set up to it, I'm assuming the truck has been converted to R134 and you're asking for an adapter to hook your R12 gauge set up to R134 system?

If that's the case, this is basically what you're looking for. R12 To R134a A/C Manifold Gauge Conversion Kit | eBay

However *technically* you're not supposed to use R12 gauge set for R134 systems.

 

well...your also not supposed to drain the R12 into the atmosphere...I've seen people do it haha.

 

Mine always tend to leak out before i work on them

 

No the high side service port factory ford is smaller than the low side fitting. I have r12 gauges but the low side doesn't fit?? It's just close enough to make me mad! (:

 

Edit. The high side doesn't fit my hoses. The low side fits perfect. No adapter needed but the high side is too small on the truck

 

Yep you need the schrader valve apater for the OE high side service port .... To adapt standard guages to it try napa or car quest auto parts store I run 134 in my truck but I used the regualar gauges cuz that's what I do for a living refrigation in commercial kitchens ill look at RSD when I'm there next week

 

Yea I tried 1/4 inch. That is the same size as the low side. The high side is different. If I could find an adapter that adapts to 1/4 and has the little thing inside that pushes the schraeder when I screw down the regular 1/4 size hose on the adapter that would be great

 

You prolly can't get it at ford in the parts deprartment I can't imagaine the fitting would cost an arm and a leg.... U still juicing your systems with r-12 or you using Hot Shot?

 

*CAN *CAN. Typo lol

 

I tried propane for the first time today it froze up I think I put too much. But mostly just 134a. I have a few cans of 12 left over but thats for special occasions

 

There's a refrigraint called "Hot Shot" ....Hot Shot
Replaces R-12, R-134a, R-401A, R-401B, R-409A, R-416A, R-420A, and R-500.
Direct replacement for r-12 .... It is not a drop in

Alternative Refrigerants for R-12

Copyright AA1Car

As R-12 continues to disappear, the price of R-12 refrigerant continues to rise. So what do you recharge an older air conditioning system with if R-12 is unavailable?

DROP-IN ALTERNATIVES FOR R-12 REFRIGERANT?

Though a number of alternative refrigerants are marketed as "drop-in" replacements for R-12, there is really no such thing as a true drop-in replacement. The reason why is because Federal law prohibits the topping off A/C systems with ANY refrigerant that is chemically different from what is already in the system, unless all of the old refrigerant is first removed so the system can be converted to the alternative refrigerant.

There are, however, a number of alternative refrigerants that can be used in older vehicles with R-12 A/C systems, and most have been reviewed and approved by the EPA for retrofitting older R-12 A/C systems. Approved refrigerants must meet the EPA's SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) criteria for environmental acceptability and usage.

NOTE: The SNAP rules prohibit the use of flammable refrigerants (propane, butane and similar hydrocarbons) in mobile A/C systems because of their hazardous nature, and the SNAP rules prohibit the use of any other refrigerants that contain ozone-damaging CFCs.

THE APPROVED ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS

There are number of alternative refrigerants from which to choose. One is R-134a, which is the ONLY alternative refrigerant currently approved by all vehicle manufacturers for retrofitting older R-12 A/C systems. The vehicle manufacturers say R-134a will cool reasonably well in most R-12 A/C systems provided the proper retrofit procedures are followed. They also recommend R-134a because it is a single component refrigerant, unlike most of the alternatives which are actually BLENDS of two to more ingredients.

The vehicle manufacturers do not like blends because blends can undergo "fractionation." This is when the individual ingredients in a blend separate for various reasons. Fractionation can be caused by chemical differences between the refrigerants (lighter and heavier elements do not want to stay mixed), different rates of leakage through seals and hoses (smaller molecules leak at a higher rate than larger ones), and different rates of absorption by the compressor oil and desiccant. Fractionation is a concern because it can change the overall composition of the blend once it is in use, which can affect the performance characteristics of the refrigerant. Fractionation also makes it difficult to recycle a blended refrigerant because what comes out of the system may not be the same mix that went into the system.

If you would like to read a variety of different views on the subject of alternative refrigerants and retrofits, Click here.

The vehicle manufacturers also say limiting the alternatives to one choice (R-134a) simplifies things, reduces the risk of cross-contamination and eliminates the need for multiple recovery machines. EPA rules require a separate dedicated recovery only or recovery/recycling machine for each type of refrigerant serviced.

ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANT BLENDS

Alternative refrigerants that have been found acceptable for automotive applications or are currently being reviewed by the EPA include the following blends:

Free Zone (RB-276). Supplied by Refrigerant Gases, this blend contains 79% R-134a, 19% HCFC-142b and 2% lubricant.
Freeze 12. Supplied by Technical Chemical, this blend contains 80% R-134a and 20% HCFC-142b.
FRIGC (FR-12). Made by Intermagnetics General and marketed by Pennzoil, this blend contains 59% R-134a, 39% HCFC-124 and 2% butane.
GHG-X4 (Autofrost & McCool Chill-It). This blend is supplied by Peoples Welding Supply and contains 51% R-22, 28.5% HCFC-124, 16.5% HCFC-142b and 4% isobutane (R-600a).
GHG-HP. Also supplied by Peoples Welding Supply, this blend contains 65% R-22, 31% HCFC-142b and 4% isobutane (R-600a).
Hot Shot\Kar Kool. Supplied by ICOR, this blend contains 50% R-22, 39% HCFC-124, 9.5% HCFC-142b and 1.5% isobutane (R-600a).
The suppliers of the alternative blends say their products typically cool better than straight R-134a in systems designed for R-12, and do not require changing the compressor oil or desiccant in some cases. Changing the desiccant to XH-7 is usually recommended if an R-12 system is converted to R-134a. The desiccant should also be replaced if a blend contains R-22 because R-22 is not compatible with XH-5 or XH-7 desiccant. The recommended desiccant in this case would be XH-9.

The suppliers of the alternative blends also insist the fractionation problem is exaggerated and do not foresee any major problems with recovering and recycling their products (recycling blends is currently illegal, but the EPA is reviewing its feasibility).

One supplier of these products say they sold several million pounds of their alternative refrigerant, so the public is accepting it.

 

Here's where u can buy it and they may be able to sell you theside fitting hope this helps
http://stores.ebay.com/Frosty-Freeze...?_fsub=1241631

 

Propane is pretty close to the P-T curve of R-22. Generally, a propane charge will need to be undercharged to prevent the high side from getting too high. I won't get into any legality argument or safety argumnet, just giving information. Since the propane charge is undercharged, it tends to freeze up the evap core. One example hydrocarbon refrigerant is HC-12a which is a blend with propane and isobutane to make the P-T curve closer to R-12.

The main problem with any R-134a type refrigerant in a R-12 system is that mineral oil is the lubricant used in R-12 systems - which is not miscible in R-134a. In other words R-134a will not dissolve the mineral oil, So stock R-134a systems use PAG oil. Most retrofit R-134a kits use POE oil, but you should clean out the remaining mineral oil in the system first. Al of the R-12 alternatives need to have something in them that dissolves the mineral oil so you get proper lubrication.

Also R-134a needs a more efficient condenser for optimum results compared to R-12 condenser needs. It will work, just not as good since R-134a needs additional cooling for best results.

Bottom line: R-22 or propane will work, just be careful of the high side pressure so you need the adapter for your gages.