I have several cars which are in great shape or soon will be. NONE of them have AC because of their age.

The MBs:

1949 170 4 door
1958 180D
1959 220 S
1972 220D

The others:

1953 Citroen 11CV Limousine de Ville
1972 Citroen DS21
1982 Dodge Power Wagon 318 4WD stick

I'm leaving Groucho's 220 4 door Webasto stock because I'm selling it afterwards.

I tried to take a course in auto AC but the schools here don't want to accept a certified mechanic, they want you to take a series of course, like 45 hours, and get an associate's degree. More money for them.

So I'll use correspondence courses, get a state AC cert and install them myself.

The question:

Has anyone installed a generic AC kit or made their own?

The main questions for me:

1. Where to get kits or non-kit components? What's worked for you?

2. R-12 vs R 134, which is better?

3. What tools, gauges, etc are needed? Which make life easier? Which are frills?

After this, I ought to be able to do my own no problemo.

Especially interested in comments IF you have done this, versus just opinions. I need info here from people who have experience and / or suggestions. If you have gone to school for auto AC: was it worth it?

Need to know that too.

Thanks!

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6