88 TC A/C charging question

Hey guys,

Still have my 88 TC which I came close to selling and then ended up not. Am now up to two Edsels so we are definitely a Ford family now.

Anyway, I was at my local parts store and came across a Red Tek R-12a A/C recharging kit. I didn't know these were sold in Canada and you might recall last year my A/C stopped working, with the compressor clutch engaging but no cool. I thought this might help.

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with these? I note the low end valve is in a really, really tight and awkward space -- wondering how best to access it. And then also wondering if I'm on the right track -- this year I started the A/C system up but the clutch is not engaging at all. There is pressure in the system (I accidentally downed the needle on the low side valve for about a half second, hearing a loud air noise). Might I be on the wrong track here? Is there anything to watch out for with these kits?

I guess my question is -- is the fact that my compressor isn't spinning indicative of a problem with the compressor, or is it possibly that the refrigerant levels have fallen too low?

If pressure has fallen below approx 25psi the compressor isn't going to cut on at all, this is due to low pressure switch cut out...

Guessing you have a leak(not much doubt if the O rings have never been serviced)...

I've never touched it.. but the car was converted to r-134a and my reading on these earlier conversions was that they leak no matter what? I had AC for the first 5 years I had the car. I'm trying to find info re: the O-rings and see what's involved, maybe I'll do an overhaul on it.

Fresh O rings should not leak but if it lasted for five years, they've probably been changed and leak is elsewhere...


I replaced O rings plus a couple hoses on mine in in '02 and charged with R-12, was still operating a month ago just before I pulled the engine... Hopefully it'll still function when the 331 goes in(A/C system is still intact)...