Rebuild AC Compressor?

[deeclue]

I'm looking to convert to r134a (my r12 is long gone thanks to a hole in one of the lines) and I keep seeing references to how easy it is to rebuild the factory ac compressors and swap the seals/oil out to it will work with r134a, but I have yet to find a tutorial that walks you through how to do this. I found a refurbished one for not too much, but if I can just use the one I already have it will save me a ton! I'm also going to replace the condenser and all that other fun stuff, but step one is sorting the compressor out.
Thanks!

[Seawolf]

I'm looking to convert to r134a....

That's a lot of work, really you only need to fit R134a adaptors and pressurize the system enough to find the leaks with dye. Once you have found and remediated the leaks replace the receiver / drier, vac the system down and fill with the correct PAG oil and R134a.

Harbor Freight have a cheap vac pump and manifold set to get the job done.

You just don't need to replace stuff if it isn't leaking.

[efficient]

Pull it out and dump the oil, if it comes out rusty then maybe try to rebuild it

[jeffnhiscars]

There are so many used r134 compatible stock compressors laying around (including one under my house) that I would go that route before I started rebuilding one. It's not just the seals that go

[deeclue]

I'm actually finding that new/refurbished r134a compatible compressors aren't that expensive or hard to find so I'll probably just go that route - if I'm going to go to all the trouble of switching this system over I might as well make sure the compressor doesn't crap out a month later. Thanks everyone!

[jeffnhiscars]

Rather than an "134 compatible" compressor, get one that is r134 specific such as a Seltec 45011

[efficient]

^ that model is not e30 specific huh?

[jeffnhiscars]

^ that model is not e30 specific huh?

It is if you have the bracket to mount it. Check my build thread.