Its 83F outside. At idle after start up the center vent temp is 52F. While driving on city streets, the center vent temp drops to 37/38. Stopping for a one minute traffic light, center vent temp rises to 45F.

I have not taken it on the freeway yet to observe vent temp.

This is with R12.

Any comments?

BTW digital thermometer at Harbor Freight for $5.99. Key buy, thanks to Charlie Mitchell for that heads up.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Sounds good....remember to check the low temp with the inside air fan on LOW... this leaves the air in contact with the fins the longest ....
The pencil mechanical thermometers are also useful ( about $7)... you can just stick it into the vent and leave it ...

I'll recheck, that was with the fan on high.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Those temperatures sound very good. You should never see air temps below ~37 degrees; that's about the point at which the evaporator temperature switch cycles off the compressor. About 10 degrees of "warm up" between driving and idling is normal on these old diesels.

I bet your humidity is quite low to see such cold discharge temps?

- JimY