Well, the easy things first.... R12 is available on Ebay for $25 a lb ( or less )... so I am sorry you did not know that and go back with R12 when you had the chance...

The York compressor does not exactly Ignore lubrication... in the time you had the car did you ever check the level of lubricant inside the crankcase of the York ? You have to have a bent stick to measure it.... but the MB AC manual gives exact dimensions for making one....

I think there are ways to check the compressor for pumping capability before hooking it up and charging the system... like Bench Testing it... for a compressor which is mailed to you that might be worth the trouble next time...

Will have to mull about the rest of the problem....