Date:         Tue, 15 Aug 2000 09:27:46 -0700
Reply-To:     John-Reed Maffeo <rlpa80@email.sps.mot.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John-Reed Maffeo <rlpa80@email.sps.mot.com>
Organization: Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector
Subject:      A/C Retrofit Results - R134A
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I now have a week of driving my newly retrofitted 86 Syncro and I
am reporting on the results. The results can be summarized by
a quote from my daughter, "Daddy, can you turn down the air
conditioning? It's too cold back here."

I live in Mesa Arizona and the daytime temperature has been in
the 105-110 F. range with 50%+ humidity. My daughers comment
was made during a freeway trip between Mesa and Phoenix on
a trip to grandma's house.

It was not cheap, but I spread the cost out over three seasons and
have a mostly new system now. I replaced the compressor when I
purchased the van three years ago. I went through two summers
with R-12 having it recharged twice (at over $us100 each time:(

The compressor replacement cost $us600. Stage two consisted of
all new hoses and seals at a cost of $us500.

My A/C condensor is mounted behind the front seats. It is not
the rear mounted like most, but it was installed by VoA in
Huston.

The second stage work was done by Arizona Auto Air in Tempe and
they seem to have done a competent job.

While I was there they told me that I could have the rear condensor
(the kind that most of you have) coupled into my system to
acheive a dual-air system using my existing compressor. Sounds
cool, eh?

They also said that they have installed an aftermarket A/C unit
from Vintage Air a Vanagon camper that had the stock rear mounted
A/C. The unit was installed in the space that is occupied by the
glove box. I am not sure where the ducting ran. Probably along the
bottom edge of the dash.

If I ever go the route of a Robert Lilly rebuild or a TIICO
replacement engine I may look at the option of adding the rear
air because I will be investing in the looong haul. Which means
I will have too also rebuild the drive train, but I would end up
with a pretty useful automobile at a cost about half that of a
new Surburban or Expedition.

Best Regards,

John-Reed Maffeo - '86 Syncro - Glacee (now big, white, slow, and COLD!)
Mesa, AZ