1988 F-150 Custom 4.9L
So i got my firewall and pedal bracket fixed. Not much else wrong with the truck so i figured i would try my hand at fixing the AC. Never done it but i love learning new stuff and I rarely fail. I've been studying for days now and had a diagnostic game plan and a source for the vacuum pump and gauges. Hoping maybe someone had a low freon condition or bad switch and gave up on it.

Finally went out to actually eyeball it and umm...no.

The compressor and switch are unplugged. The compressor is coated in oil and grime but looks kinda new. The accumulator is rusty. All of the hoses have worm clamps on them...all of them...is that a thing? I can't remember seeing worm clamps on AC connections. On the compressor. On the in and out of the condenser. On the connections to the air box. The condenser looks like someone has made an attempt to flatten every fin possible. But the heater works so i got that going on

I don't even know where to start now. Strip a junkyard truck?

 

first its not a good idea to try to charge an ac system that has a known leak. the leak needs to be fixed system flushed any damaged parts replaced and things like receiver dryer evaporator condenser replaced or flushed and installed with no leaks and not being left open to the atmosphere. once this is done leaks lines components fixed installed correctly and any and all issues fixed then your can pull a vacuum on the system and then you can hook your gauges up to the hi and low side closed of. hook up your refrigerant purge your lines also having added the correct compressor oil as these have the oil and compressor together not separate and begin adding Freon. only only on the low side slowly introduce a charge and of course temp controls switched so the compressor can cycle and charge until readings are correct. i find best time to charge the system is when you use it and you will need a temp gauge for the vents you need to know how to read your gauges and getting refrigerant to flow can be difficult in the cold. i suggest you get the parts you need when your going to need it and don't leave parts of the system open to the air as it could contaminate and ruin your whole knew set up. remember do it wrong and get can blown off in your face. you were originally R12 you cant just go put anything in the system unless someone already converted it . this is only part of the whole process possibly involved depending on what is wrong. i assume you have knowledge of hvac and can properly read and preform all steps safely. if you are dealing with left over refrigerant you cant just let it bleed off and in some places it is illegal for you to do this. theses are not the same process for all systems and is not meant to be a step by step guide you just need to beware 9 times out 10 this is not a diy job. and little to no R12 is around DuPont had the license some time ago and that's the last time i dealt with it other than recycled Freon which is junk in my mind

sorry for the long post if you are truley new to this im just trying to help but if you can get good parts of a junk truck and some parts will be needed brand new and want to do that sounds good i would wait until its warmer as not using probably wont hurt anything as it sounds like the system may be gone

 

There are worm clamps designed for a/c hoses. Not the prettiest but they get the job done. But this sounds like a hack job. I would strip a junker for condenser, evaporator, and hoses. Test the parts before installation. If they are good buy a new rec/dryer and a new or rebuilt compressor. Now you have something to work with!

 

Oh yea, after all that, then do what carguy said!