Hey guys,

Yet another money dumping pile......

I just got the A/C COmpressor rebuilt. Not a bad job $145. I have several questions:

What does the Drier/Accumularo do? WHere does it mount on my '77, I don't remember taking one off... but I know it needs it.

What does the VIR Eliminator do?

The evaporator most defniataly needs replacing. My dad and I looked at it, and someone tried to 'fix' a leak with plumbers goop. A new core is like $350.00 from Ecklers. I called a bunch of AC shops, and to sell me a core, they want to install it, and then charge the system and its liek $1,100. Hells no, I'll do it myself.

Any suggestions, opinions, or experiances to share?

Thanks guys,

-Louis

The drier takes out moisture which can damage componets in the system. It must be kept sealed until right before you pull a vacuum on the sytem to keep it moisture free. Ebay has an evaporator now for $210 + 15.00 shipping , maybe someone here knows where you can get one cheaper. I don't know where the drier is installed on your 77 as I installed an aftermarket system, but I'm sure someone here knows the exact location . The vir has me puzzled also. 

Good luck

Alan 

Like Allan said the Drier takes moisture out of the system. If has been open for any length of time then your better off replacing it. Here is another site which can answer some of your A/C questions. I am going to search it for your VIR question.

http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=20&thre adid=9179

Here is a discussion about a 77 changing to R134a

http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threa did=6884&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=

suncountry38708.6244444444

Hey guys,

I called this guy Gus at Corvette Central.

He said that for my year the VIR system is a difficult system to use. He said that the VIR, and the Drier are the same thing. That the Drier si built into that VIR canister.... makes sense it ahs 2 hardlines,a nd a rubber/metal hard line... it all goes into that canister......... That VIR canister is attached to that EVaporator. THe Evaporator has a Harrison rebuilt sticker on the case. So I assume everything is all good. I'm gonna get everything together, have someone vacuum test it, and flush, and charge the system. However, after I got the Comrpessor rebuilt, they gave me a withe filter, its kind of long, maybe only a few inches. The guy said that it goes in a hose. Gus, at corvette central said that hes not sure without seeign it, but if he knows for sure what I'm talkina bout it goes int he hard line that goes from the condenser to the VIR ASSEMBLY. Does anyone know if that is correct?

http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/main_default.php

Whoops, Idon't know what hapened to that place. Try this:

http://www.acpartsnow.com/partslist.asp?srcheng=&oaaia=1 041062

Big Fish38708.7128009259

[QUOTE=new77guy]

 they gave me a withe filter, its kind of long, maybe only a few inches. The guy said that it goes in a hose. [/QUOTE]

Sounds like an orifice tube, basically  same thing as a Thermo Expansion Valve (TXV). It is located in the inlet tube of the evaporator, or in the liquid line, somewhere between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the evaporator.

 I believe "accumulators" are used with orifice tubes and need to be replaced whenever the system is opened...

 

 

2 cruzn38708.8105671296

The 77 Vette was the year that could have had a VIR(valves-in-reciever) system, or the accumulator/dryer/orifice valve system, depending on the date of assembly. In either case, the VIR will be located under the evaporator case. If you look thru the side vent on the fender you can see it. It contains all of the mechanical pieces that control the pressure drop in the system that allows the freon to expand, and thus get cold. The VIR is a fully self-contained accum/dryer/expansion valve set-up.

The accum/dryer is located in front of the evap. case. It is a round, aluminum "tank". The accum/dryer system requires an "orifice tube" inserted into the high pressure line going into the evaporator, to control the pressure drop in the evap.

Louis, if your system is the VIR set-up, and it has been open to the air(not sealed), for a long time, the valves in it are probably rusted/corroded, and it may not work properly now. They are rebuildable, tho.
If you have the accum/dryer set-up, you need to replace the dryer(alum. tank) anytime the compressor is replaced. They are cheap. ($15-$20) The orifice tube is easily replaced, as it just fits into the high pressure line, going into the evap. The orifice tube replaces all of the mechanical valves in the VIR system.

btw......the evaporator is the component inside the car....the condenser is the radiator-looking part in front of the radiator. Adams' Apple38708.834525463

And there is an upgrade from the old VIR system to the newer orifice system.  Something to consider if you have trouble finding parts.  It's also something to consider when switching to 134a.