a/c help

I tried to get my a/c going in my v6 converted b22. pulled the vacuum and let it sit to make sure it didn't leak. it didn't. so i then charged it up with 8oz of oil an 3x 12oz cans of freon. i kept noticing that the low side manifold gauge kept pulling down to a -10 does this system hold more freon or do i have a bad expansion valve i am unfamiliar with this type of setup.

You definitely have a restriction on the high side.
More than likely, your expansion valve is the culprit.

thanks man i will definitely get that taken care of. Dang humidity here in LA is just about unbearable.

the expansion valve decided it wanted to start working again. but my compressor is now shot. oh well, at least winter is coming and i wont burn up. yes i know chicks dont wear bikinis in -20 but i dont much care for the heat 67-72 is my ideal temp range

Are you running R-12, or did you convert to 134?

When you open your system back up, you might consider replacing your low pressure switch with a binary switch - hi and low - especially if you are now 134a. Low side will function the same, but it will also turn off the compressor if you get too high - like 400 psi or so. Having the hi side cutoff will help protect your compressor (and the rest of the system/seals) if and when you run into a situation like that again. And if you happen to have converted to electric fan, they also make a trinary switch. When the pressure gets to 180 or so, it will close the third switch to turn on your fan.

I'm curious what your high side was reading when the low was at -10?

Also, you may have been a touch over-filled on the refrigerant. I think most of the trucks were designed to run at about 28oz. And if running 134a, then you should have even less. I recently converted my B2600i over and two full cans, (24 oz) worked nicely.

Please explain how you diagnosed the compressor as being shot. Is it locked up so that you cannot turn the center bolt with a wrench?

Agree, initial problem due to clogged or stuck expansion valve. Did you or anyone else add any of that WORTHLESS HARMFUL sealant to your system?

And unless you flushed the whole system free of all oil before adding that 8 oz., there's a lot of oil in there.

it squeals really loud until the clutch decides to engage. i have not had any luck with just changing the clutch itself

If during normal running with the AC off, and the AC clutch squeals, then that does sound like the AC clutch bearing to me.

However, if quiet then, and it only squeals when turning on the AC, you need to determine whether the belt is slipping over the AC clutch pulley (hence AC compressor not turning fully as it should, or if it's actually turning completely at same speed as the belt and that it truly is the compressor making the noise.

Is the AC belt brand-new? Or is it older and now glazed? Was there any oil that got on the belt or pulleys?

What's the high side pressure and low side pressure of the AC system once the AC clutch does engage and start turning? Read at about 2000 rpm.