1976 ac questions

[roger3]

Bought a 1976 couple and the AC doesn't work. Compressor is locked up and the high pressure hose is busted. The VIR has been replaced with a late model evaporator. I want to convert the system to R134 but have a few questions.

1. Tried to order a new compressor from Dr. Rebuild. They want to know if the compressor has a heat switch or not. How do I tell if it has a heat switch? What is it for?

2. Which VIR eliminator kit is best? I see one that says you have to cut the suction hose and crimp a new fitting on it. Are there any that don't require this work? If so, which one?

3. Does an early 1976 corvette have an electronic solenoid that will kick in and adjust the idle speed when the compressor cycles on? Mine does not have a solenoid, but is has an emptry bracket for one (or for something else).

Thanks in advance for your help!

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
There are a couple of things.
#1, repairing an AC hose is dangerous and its not recommended.
#2, the AC may require an evacuate to determine if there are any other leaks there.
#3, if the system has been opened for an extended period of time, then its probable that there are other problems there.

We will have to research the switch issue and post back.
Allthebest, c4c5

[roger3]

I figured out a couple of things.

1. The heat switch is a small switch located on the back end (opposite end from pulley) of the A6 compressor. It has one wire that connects to it. I bough a remanufactured compressor from car quest but had to remove the switch from the old unit and install in the reman unit. It's held in by a cir-clip.

2. My car already had a vir elimination kit on it. I was able to buy a new accumulator for it from Carquest.

3. I found on a wiring diagram that an L82 has wiring for an idle solenoid switch, but the L48 does not. My car is an L48 so it makes sense that my car doesn't have the solenoid switch.

Now my latest questions:

1. My car is equipped with 2 pressure sensors. One located on the accumulator and one on the line between the evaporator and condensor, next to the site glass. Is it correct? Should it have 2 pressure switches? They are wired in series.

2. My car has an orifice block. Should this also be replaced?

Thanks for your help.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Unless your seeing a massive pressure difference, there is no need to replace the TXV orifice.
The switches, according to my diagrams, are correct.
Validate the color codes to be sure.
Allthebest, c4c5

[roger3]

Thanks for the information. Now I am armed (with information) and dangerous. My vette is shaking.