A/C Prior to 1993

[sperold]

Are the fill ports for the AC system with R12, different (smaller) from the ones from 93 on which use the newer fluid (132a I think)?
I looked at my old home cooling system that has R12 and the filling ports are definitely smaller than the automotive fill ports on my 93 .

I am going to buy an AC gauge kit and it will have the new fluid charge port ends on the low and high pressure lines. Where can I get the smaller port end connectors to fit my home cooling system?

 

[Texas Marauder]

Yes, different ports to prevent cross contamination.

 

[luigisho]

https://www.amazon.com/R134a-Adapter-Using-Gauges-Conditioning/dp/B0736K1PWB

 

[sperold]

On every AC system hard piping there is a male quick disconnect coupling. This coupling is where you install the female coupling for the AC gauges to check the pressure in the system. This female coupler has a turn **** on top that opens the schrader valve in the male quick connect on the car or home system piping.

I need this female quick connector (with the turn ****) for the smaller R12 fitting that is on the system hard piping. The "out line" of this female quick connect fitting has the knurled threaded fastener that you see in the picture provided by luigosho in the post above. This allows you to hook to the gauge set you can buy to service the car AC.

In other words, I want an air conditioning gauge set with the ends that quick connect to the male fittings on the car. Currently the system has the ends on the hoses that connect to the 134a system in style now.

Thanks to everyone who is trying to help.

 

[Texas Marauder]

I don't remember quick connect R12 fittings. They were always screw on.

 

[rubydist]

Correct, the ones on the R12 systems were just thread on. The R134a systems went to the quick connect fitting.

Some of the gauge sets you can buy still have fittings for both systems.

 

[SHOrod]

In other words, I want an air conditioning gauge set with the ends that quick connect to the male fittings on the car. Currently the system has the ends on the hoses that connect to the 134a system in style now.

1994 is when the Federal mandate took place to move away from R-12 for the US automotive industry. I'm not sure if Ford switched over the Taurus in 1993 or not....

As for finding a source of quick connects, or even hoses, for the now vintage R-12 fittings, that could be challenging. Like others have mentioned here already, I don't recall ever seeing quick connects for R-12, but maybe the home HVAC technicians now have them? You might have a better chance checking with home HVAC distributors for the hoses/fittings than for the automotive industry. I'm not sure how common it it so come across a home HVAC system that still uses R-12. I still see some R-22 systems around, but I haven't seen R-12 for a long time, although that's not my industry either.

-Rod