Help,
After 1 summer in Las Vegas without A/C I vowed never again. So the time to put the A/C back on, is swiftly approaching. My question is should I put factory parts back on, or should I go with a universal system that hooks into the factory controls and vents? I'm also considering a serpentine belt conversion at the same time. Likely the GMPP serpentine conversion kit for Small Blocks. Thanks in advance for any advice/experience.

All the best,
Andy

It depends on what you still have in the car. If most of it is there you may want to go with the original set up. But the flip side is a new conversion would allow 134A refrigerent with no problems that an update would. It would cool very well. And sooner or later the R12 is going away.
Just two thing to consider.
How much does original mean, and what about service later?
Going with the serp belt I'm guessing that as long as the interior looks right, it's okay. That would be my thought.
Don't forget later service also means getting parts for the aftermarket unit. Who builds it and will they be around, or are the parts very compatible to be easily repaired later if the company is gone?

Food or thought.

Ken Styer

79 has the better orfice tube style expansion valve. I would stay original in your car. For a lower cost serpentine conversion consider a C4 setup. You can use the same small compressor and if you get an 85-6 setup it uses the same alternator plug. The later ones can use the 84-6 alternator if you use the air pump eliminator from an 85-6. They fit great and look great too.

The Serp kit is being installed right now. I went down to the shop this morning and my mechanic and I measured the new Bracket/AC-Compressor to see if it would fit under the hood... ... It's gonna be close (within an inch) (fingers crossed). The Serp kit requires the longer water pump (included) so I'm losing my clutch fan and installing 2 10" electrics. All told, to get rid of thatbelt squeal and reinstall the A/C, I'm looking at $1,500.00.

I decided to stay with the GM air setup as well. Right after the serp kit goes on I'll pick up the AC hoses and we'll flush and recharge the system. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again for the help and advice.


Andy

Being in Vegas without air in my 82 I feel your pain. Finally fix it this winter by replacing everything in the system except the evaporator coil and switched to 134. I stayed with stock parts to make future repairs easier to get parts.
Got black out covers for the glass tops, and had the rear window tinted. I'm very happy with the results. Should have done it years ago but back in Chicago it wasn't really a priority. Some year I'll try the serpentine belt conversion.

So I just got the car back from the shop and everything works fine. AC blows cold. Serp Kit fits under the hood. All told it cost between $1,800 and $2,000. I ordered an AC control unit from Bair's that should arrive tomorrow. I'll have that replaced and then it should all be complete. Right now the air is either off or MAX/High. Living in Vegas, MAX/High is just fine. However, if I don't replace it now I may never replace it.

I'd grown so accustomed to the belt screech and other noises from the front end (fan clutch etc.) that now when all I hear is the roar of the mufflers behind me it seems as though I'm driving a different car.

It's also going to take some getting used to associate the windows being up as anything but stifling. It cost a lot but I'm really happy with the results.

Thanks again for the advice and support.

Andy