Wanted to share this as it has been hard figuring all this out; lot of posts, threads, different sites and lots of different ways to do. You experts may know all this, but I didn’t and wanted to share with those that might not. This is the way I went and it went pretty damn good.
Part listed below for condenser is a parallel flow unit for an 86 and fit fine. I also used 4 Seasons compressor as it is made for R134a specifically and is new. Also this is for a 12 o’clock system vs 9 o’clock, you can tell by where the electrical connector plugs in. Mine was at the top when installed in car. 9 o’clock plugs into compressor at the left side position looking at it from the front.
System takes 8 oz of Ester oil when converting from R12, 4 oz in the compressor and 4 oz in the accumulator. Also, there are rubber brackets that hold the condenser in place from the top and bottom, similar to how the radiator is held in place. I had concerns about fitment as the parallel flow model is not the same size and I figured there were hard brackets. You will have to remove the radiator to get the condenser out.
I purchased all of this for a 1986 Cutlass, even though I have an 83, as the parallel flow condenser is for an ’86 and was not sure of fitment of hoses. Also, the accumulator is of a different design but will fit fine, I figured it was a newer design and might work better. 83 parts may work fine, except condenser, I just had to make a decision and went with the 86 stuff. I got all of this from Rock Auto and part numbers and prices are listed below.
Seems to be blowing very cold and can’t tell the difference between when R12 was in there and I live in Texas. Shop that filled it said it was blowing 42 degrees at the vents and it was 90 outside. Performed the switch to R134a cause I had a bad hose and all my R12 leaked out and I could not find a shop in my area that had R12 or even worked on them.
If anyone sees a mistake or something I forgot post it up and I will edit post.
Thanks, Jeff
Steps for do it yourself using new green O-rings everywhere:
1. I jacked up the front end and put on stands as I am old and fat and it is hard to get under the car.
2. Disconnect battery negative terminal.
3. Remove the top plate, drain radiator, disconnect hoses, then remove the 4 bolts holding on the fan shroud, remove the trans lines and pull out the radiator from the top careful not to spill remaining coolant, tilt kinda up. Also, replace trans lines before the fan shroud as it will be like 1/8 turns on the bottom one if you don’t, ask me and my shoulder how I know…
4. Next remove the 2 AC lines and the 2 bolts that hold the condenser hold downs in place, at top and behind radiator, and pull it out.
5. Replace everything by reversing removal instructions.
6. Disconnect hard line from accumulator already free from condenser.
7. Disconnect refrigerant line from compressor, accumulator and condenser is already free. Make sure to keep long bolt for hose assembly.
8. Remove the electrical connector to accumulator, disconnect from evaporator and loosen bolt holding it on bracket then remove accumulator, I repainted the brackets at this time.
9. Now I had to bend the hard line as the condenser line was about 3 inches further to the rear then my 83 original. I put the bend back by accumulator and it worked fine.
10. Good time to clean the hard line with solvent on the outside and brighten up the aluminum with a red scuffing pad.
11. Remove the Compressor by removing the 2 long bolts, electrical connector and fan belt. May be different for you as I had already removed my air pump.
12. Remove plug and fill compressor with 4 oz of ester oil letting it sit for 5 minutes on its front to get oil down to the front seal. Use the inlet port marked with an “S”. Careful as it fills slowly and will get everywhere if you are not careful.
13. Replace plug and reinstall compressor.
14. Remove orifice from smaller evaporator tube.
15. Power flush evaporator, hard line and pressure switch or take to shop.
16. Pour in the remaining 4 oz of Ester oil, move low pressure switch from old accumulator and install in same position on new one.
17. Connect accumulator to evaporator, install ring bracket and plug in pressure connector.
18. Connect hard line from evaporator to condenser being sure to install orifice tube in condenser line first.
19. Connect refrigerant line to condenser, compressor and accumulator removing the plug from compressor and installing the bushings provided into the compressor (see enclosed instructions)
20. Install R134a connectors to fill ports in appropriate locations (refrigerant line filter and accumulator) for conversion.
21. Fill and leak test or take to shop.
1986 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 5.0L 307cid V8
FOUR SEASONS 55479 A/C Refrigerant Hose Assembly $ 85.79
FOUR SEASONS 26735 A/C System O-Rings, Seals, & Gasket Kits $ 5.14
FOUR SEASONS 59976 A/C Compressor Fitting for R134a Conversion $ 4.55
FOUR SEASONS 59986 A/C Compressor Fitting for R134a Conversion $ 9.65
FOUR SEASONS TSN0670 A/C Compressor & Component Kit $ 182.99
FOUR SEASONS 33185 [Kit Component] A/C Receiver Drier / Accumulator -
FOUR SEASONS 38623 [Kit Component] A/C Orifice Tube -
FOUR SEASONS 58231 [Kit Component] A/C Compressor -
SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT 74013 (7-4013) A/C Condenser Parallel flow unit $ 87.79
Total: $ 375.91
Part listed below for condenser is a parallel flow unit for an 86 and fit fine. I also used 4 Seasons compressor as it is made for R134a specifically and is new. Also this is for a 12 o’clock system vs 9 o’clock, you can tell by where the electrical connector plugs in. Mine was at the top when installed in car. 9 o’clock plugs into compressor at the left side position looking at it from the front.
System takes 8 oz of Ester oil when converting from R12, 4 oz in the compressor and 4 oz in the accumulator. Also, there are rubber brackets that hold the condenser in place from the top and bottom, similar to how the radiator is held in place. I had concerns about fitment as the parallel flow model is not the same size and I figured there were hard brackets. You will have to remove the radiator to get the condenser out.
I purchased all of this for a 1986 Cutlass, even though I have an 83, as the parallel flow condenser is for an ’86 and was not sure of fitment of hoses. Also, the accumulator is of a different design but will fit fine, I figured it was a newer design and might work better. 83 parts may work fine, except condenser, I just had to make a decision and went with the 86 stuff. I got all of this from Rock Auto and part numbers and prices are listed below.
Seems to be blowing very cold and can’t tell the difference between when R12 was in there and I live in Texas. Shop that filled it said it was blowing 42 degrees at the vents and it was 90 outside. Performed the switch to R134a cause I had a bad hose and all my R12 leaked out and I could not find a shop in my area that had R12 or even worked on them.
If anyone sees a mistake or something I forgot post it up and I will edit post.
Thanks, Jeff
Steps for do it yourself using new green O-rings everywhere:
1. I jacked up the front end and put on stands as I am old and fat and it is hard to get under the car.
2. Disconnect battery negative terminal.
3. Remove the top plate, drain radiator, disconnect hoses, then remove the 4 bolts holding on the fan shroud, remove the trans lines and pull out the radiator from the top careful not to spill remaining coolant, tilt kinda up. Also, replace trans lines before the fan shroud as it will be like 1/8 turns on the bottom one if you don’t, ask me and my shoulder how I know…
4. Next remove the 2 AC lines and the 2 bolts that hold the condenser hold downs in place, at top and behind radiator, and pull it out.
5. Replace everything by reversing removal instructions.
6. Disconnect hard line from accumulator already free from condenser.
7. Disconnect refrigerant line from compressor, accumulator and condenser is already free. Make sure to keep long bolt for hose assembly.
8. Remove the electrical connector to accumulator, disconnect from evaporator and loosen bolt holding it on bracket then remove accumulator, I repainted the brackets at this time.
9. Now I had to bend the hard line as the condenser line was about 3 inches further to the rear then my 83 original. I put the bend back by accumulator and it worked fine.
10. Good time to clean the hard line with solvent on the outside and brighten up the aluminum with a red scuffing pad.
11. Remove the Compressor by removing the 2 long bolts, electrical connector and fan belt. May be different for you as I had already removed my air pump.
12. Remove plug and fill compressor with 4 oz of ester oil letting it sit for 5 minutes on its front to get oil down to the front seal. Use the inlet port marked with an “S”. Careful as it fills slowly and will get everywhere if you are not careful.
13. Replace plug and reinstall compressor.
14. Remove orifice from smaller evaporator tube.
15. Power flush evaporator, hard line and pressure switch or take to shop.
16. Pour in the remaining 4 oz of Ester oil, move low pressure switch from old accumulator and install in same position on new one.
17. Connect accumulator to evaporator, install ring bracket and plug in pressure connector.
18. Connect hard line from evaporator to condenser being sure to install orifice tube in condenser line first.
19. Connect refrigerant line to condenser, compressor and accumulator removing the plug from compressor and installing the bushings provided into the compressor (see enclosed instructions)
20. Install R134a connectors to fill ports in appropriate locations (refrigerant line filter and accumulator) for conversion.
21. Fill and leak test or take to shop.
1986 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 5.0L 307cid V8
FOUR SEASONS 55479 A/C Refrigerant Hose Assembly $ 85.79
FOUR SEASONS 26735 A/C System O-Rings, Seals, & Gasket Kits $ 5.14
FOUR SEASONS 59976 A/C Compressor Fitting for R134a Conversion $ 4.55
FOUR SEASONS 59986 A/C Compressor Fitting for R134a Conversion $ 9.65
FOUR SEASONS TSN0670 A/C Compressor & Component Kit $ 182.99
FOUR SEASONS 33185 [Kit Component] A/C Receiver Drier / Accumulator -
FOUR SEASONS 38623 [Kit Component] A/C Orifice Tube -
FOUR SEASONS 58231 [Kit Component] A/C Compressor -
SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT 74013 (7-4013) A/C Condenser Parallel flow unit $ 87.79
Total: $ 375.91
