Baraldi

Hi everyone, new here.
Bought a 450 slc from 1975. Picking it up in two weeks. Going to ask a lot of questions here in the future😊
For now I’m wondering if they made these cars without AC as well as with. Googling pictures an there are all kinds of different layouts on the consol. Some says AC, others don’t. Been looking around for info but cannot find a general explanation of this. Anyone here know anything about this?

Plutoe

you do this all by the VIN, take your VIN to any dealer who will correctly advise

Baraldi

Finally found a pic with the same controlls that I have. I had only a bad pic of the consol on the one I bought. No AC on mine. Well, you can’t have it all. Will look into installing an aftermarket one. Not found anything yet so don’t kniw the cost.

Baraldi

Picked up the car. Turns out it has, or had, ac. Been disconnetcted. Everything is there. Read somewhere that these ac`s where, well not so good. Not worth restoring. It`s unknown to me why it`s been disconnected. Anyway. I would like to put in a new compressor eventually. Anyone know if the rest can be left in place if it still holds the pressure? Doubt it will. Or do I have to replace everything else too? Saw a conversion kit with seals and more for r134 at autohausaz.

AlterSchinken

I think all US cars had A/C standard. R12 will cause corrosion in the presence of moisture. If the system is still sealed up perhaps all is still ok. Replacement of the evaporator is extremely difficult due to the difficulty in R&R of the complete dash. The expansion valve is accessible behind the instrument cluster and from below. Modern aluminum compressors are available to replace the old GM unit. If you do fix it you can use a hydrocarbon based refrigerant (Enviro-Safe), this works with either R12 or R134a oil, cools very well, and is not affected by moisture. I have had it in my 380SL for several years now.

Baraldi

Ok. So replacement of the evaporator seems to be the larger issue in this case. Been vacuming the web for pics of the original system or someone showing a refurbish or replacement job. So eager to get started with this journey. Have to make my garage larger first though😄