1973 was a split year in terms of factory air conditioning system design for Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The early 73’s used a Filter-Drier, Expansion Valve, and POA Valve. The later 73’s instead used a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR).

This kit is for the early 73’s.

The stock GM A6 Compressor in both the early and late factory air 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’s is located on the passenger side of the engine. The Compressor is the belt-driven, engine mounted mechanism that serves as the heart of your car’s air conditioning system by pumping refrigerant through the system.

Keep it simple and save $ with this comprehensive OE compressor replacement kit. A great start to converting your system to 134a or refreshing your stock R12 system!

HERE'S WHAT YOU GET:

• A6 Compressor w/single-groove 5" diameter pulley - remanufactured.
• Full charge of Ester Oil compatible with both R12 & 134a refrigerants.
• New replacement filter-drier.
• New replacement expansion valve.
• Refrigerant tape.
• O-Ring & lubricant kit.

IF CONVERTING FROM 134a, THE FOLLOWING IS RECOMMENDED IN ADDITION TO THIS KIT:

• Flush all re-used system components to insure they are clean & free of contaminants. This may be performed simply by blowing the system components out with compressed air, but depending on component condition, might require liquid flushing with approved flushing agent. It is highly recommended that this is performed component by component. Feel free to email with any questions!
• Replace or restore all rubber hoses with barrier-lined hoses, unless current hoses have already been changed.
• Install 134a charge port adapters.
• Have your POA valve calibrated for 134a. We also sell rebuilt POA valves or can rebuild or recondition your valve for you! More on converting to 134a.

We can also rebuild your A6 Compressor, sell you one, or sell you our S6 direct replacement compressor, which is designed to be used with all existing factory air conditioning brackets and hoses with no modification whatsoever. It is available with a single 5 inch diameter pulley in brushed aluminum (Part No. 5-206) or black (Part No. 5-209) and is pictured below.

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

1973 was a split year in terms of factory air conditioning system design for Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The early 73’s used a Filter-Drier, Expansion Valve, and POA Valve. The later 73’s instead used a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR).

This kit is for the later 73’s.

The stock GM A6 Compressor in both the early and late factory air 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’s is located on the passenger side of the engine. The Compressor is the belt-driven, engine mounted mechanism that serves as the heart of your car’s air conditioning system by pumping refrigerant through the system.

Keep it simple and save $ with this comprehensive OE compressor replacement kit. A great start to converting your system to 134a or refreshing your stock R12 system!

HERE'S WHAT YOU GET:

• A6 Compressor w/single-groove 5" diameter pulley - remanufactured.
• Full charge of Ester Oil compatible with both R12 & 134a refrigerants.
• O-Ring & lubricant kit.

IF CONVERTING FROM 134a, THE FOLLOWING IS RECOMMENDED IN ADDITION TO THIS KIT:

• Flush all re-used system components to insure they are clean & free of contaminants. This may be performed simply by blowing the system components out with compressed air, but depending on component condition, might require liquid flushing with approved flushing agent. It is highly recommended that this is performed component by component. Feel free to email with any questions!
• Replace or restore all rubber hoses with barrier-lined hoses, unless current hoses have already been changed.
• Install 134a charge port adapters.
• Change dessicant in VIR. Rebuilding your VIR is recommended. We can do this for you. More on converting to 134a.

We can also rebuild your A6 Compressor, sell you one, or sell you our S6 direct replacement compressor, which is designed to be used with all existing factory air conditioning brackets and hoses with no modification whatsoever. It is available with a single 5 inch diameter pulley in brushed aluminum (Part No. 5-206) or black (Part No. 5-209) and is pictured below.

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

The Condenser on a factory air 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix is the radiator-like device mounted in front of the radiator in the engine compartment.

The factory air Condenser in a 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix was a tube and fin Condenser.

We offer reconditioning services for your original 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix Condenser. We can even make a new one using your original as a sample. Give us a call or email and let’s discuss the best options for your situation.

A/C INFO:

Car air conditioning is nothing more than continuous heat transfer by two heat exchangers. One heat exchanger, the Evaporator, absorbs heat from the passenger compartment. The other heat exchanger, the Condenser, dissipates that heat into the outside air. All other things being equal, size matters. A larger Evaporator and a larger Condenser exchange more heat than smaller ones and allow the air conditioning system to cool better.

CONDENSER MAINTENANCE TIP:

Try to keep your Condenser as clean and free of bugs and debris as possible. The Condenser's ability to transfer heat is based on air flow. When the Condenser air flow becomes obstructed, it becomes a less efficient heat exchanger.

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

The Controls on a factory air 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix are vacuum and electrically controlled manual or automatic controls.

We offer complete control restoration services, including rebuilding of control heads, power servos, programmers, transducers, fan switches and reconditioning of vaccum selector switches. We can also duplicate your heater and air conditioning cables.

Call or email to discuss the best options for your situation.

The term “Evaporator” is often used loosely to refer to the Evaporator box or housing and also to the Evaporator coil, which is a boxier, radiator like device located inside the Evaporator housing. On a factory air 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix, the Evaporator housing is located in the engine compartment on the passenger side firewall.

We offer reconditioning and rebuilding services for your original 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix Evaporator. 1973 was a split year design in terms of the Pontiac Grand Prix air conditioning system. The early 73’s had a POA Valve and the Evaporators were as pictured above. The late 73’s instead had a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR) and the Evaporator was as shown below.

Give us a call or email and let’s discuss your situation.

A/C INFO:

Car air conditioning is nothing more than continuous heat transfer by two heat exchangers. One heat exchanger, the Evaporator, absorbs heat from the passenger compartment. The other heat exchanger, the Condenser, dissipates that heat into the outside air. All other things being equal, size matters. A larger Evaporator and a larger Condenser exchange more heat than smaller ones and allow the air conditioning system to cool better.

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

1973 was a split year in terms of factory air conditioning system design for Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The early 73’s used a Filter-Drier, ExpansionValve, and POA Valve. The later 73’s instead used a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR).

This kit is for the early 73’s

Protect your valuable early 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix factory a/c system & its parts with this high/low pressure switch kit.

This simple, easy-to-install insurance policy simply installs between the Expansion Valve and the liquid hose that attaches to it.

The harness, has a pre-molded connector specifically designed to connect to the switch, and is spliced into the wire that leads to the compressor-clutch.

How does it work?

When system pressures drop below 28psi or exceed 380psi on the system's high side, power is cut-off to the compressor. This prevents damage to system components such as the compressor, hoses and the extensive labor that goes into flushing the system out after major compressor failure.

If your air conditioning system is currently down or you are planning maintenance in the near future, it is highly recommended that you install this piece!

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

1973 was a split year in terms of factory air conditioning system design for Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The early 73’s used a Filter-Drier, ExpansionValve, and POA Valve. The later 73’s instead used a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR).

If you have a later 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix with a VIR, call or email so we can discuss your situation with you.

Classic Auto Air has extensive experience duplicating GM air conditioning hoses, and restoring, reconditioning and duplicating GM air conditioning lines, fittings and mufflers.

We would love to discuss duplicating, restoring or reconditioning your 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix air conditioning hoses, lines, fittings and muffler.

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

1973 was a split year in terms of the air conditioning system design for Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The early versions used a stand-alone Expansion Valve but due to a mid-year design change, the later versions instead used a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR) design where the Expansion Valve, the POA Valve and an Accumulator (replacing the Filter-Drier) were combined into one valve.

In the eary version 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’s, the Expansion Valve is mounted at the Evaporator inlet at the bottom of the Evaporator and regulates the refrigerant going into the Evaporator. It reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and creates one of the two divisions between high and low sides in the air conditioning system.

The low pressure side begins with the Expansion Valve and continues through the Evaporator to the Compressor. (The second division is at the Compressor where Compressor suction ends the low pressure side, and the Compressor discharge, releasing compressed refrigerant, is the start of the high pressure side. The high side continues through the Condenser and Filter-Drier back to the Expansion Valve).

The early 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix Expansion Valve was a thermostatic Expansion Valve operating off refrigerant temperature. It used a sensing bulb attached to the Evaporator outlet and connected back to the Expansion Valve by a capillary tube to measure Evaporator outlet temperature and then regulated the opening of the Expansion Valve based on that Evaporator outlet temperature. Note, the capillary tube is very sensitive and any kink or repeated bending may cause it to malfunction.

Our early 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix Expansion Valve is a new, correct replacement expansion valve.

It has the correct sensing bulb that mounts flat against the under-side of the suction hose fitting, near the evaporator outlet.

COMPATIBLE WITH BOTH R12 & 134a REFRIGERANTS!

More on converting to 134a.

More information on GM Valves?

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

Two different kinds of systems were used on factory air conditioned 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The 1st version was like the 1972, with a separate Filter-Drier, Expansion Valve and POA Valve. The later 1973 version instead used a VIR (Valves-in-Receiver) which combined an Expansion Valve, a POA Valve and an Accumulator (replacing the function of the Filter-Drier) in one valve.

Like all Suction Valves, the POA Valve on the earlier model 1973 Grand Prix’s is mounted to the Evaporator’s suction (top) outlet and regulates system pressure to prevent the Evaporator from freezing.

Our Part Number 15-202 is our 15-52 type GM POA Valve designed for an early 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix using 134a refrigerant. For R12 refrigerant, request Part Number 15-202R.

NOTE:

A core charge is also required.

A/C INFO:

All car air conditioning systems need a mechanism to keep the Evaporator from getting so cold that it freezes. In some systems, this mechanism is a thermostat. In the early model 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’s, it was a POA Valve. A thermostat prevents the Evaporator from freezing by cycling the Compressor on and off based on Evaporator temperature. A POA Valve prevents the Evaporator from freezing by by-passing excessive system pressure. Note that in a POA Valve type system like the early model 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’s, the Compressor runs constantly whenever the air conditioning system is operating.

Air Conditioning Tip:

If you are converting to 134a refrigerant, your POA Valve will need to be recalibrated, as 134a and R12 by-pass pressures differ. More on converting to 134a.

Air Conditioning Tip

If you are replacing your POA Valve on an otherwise operating system, its failure is likely as a result of contaminants causing it to stick in the open position, forcing it to constantly by-pass. As is the case with any air conditioning system, flushing the system to insure that re-used parts do not contaminate newly replaced or restored parts and replacing or restoring the car’s Filter-Drier are essential to avoid a repeat of the same problem.

More information on GM Valves?

If you prefer, we can rebuild your late 1965 Grand Prix POA Valve for you. Call or email us.

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix came in two versions in terms of factory air conditioning. Production began with a Filter-Drier/Expansion/POA Valve system but later models used a Valves-in Receiver (VIR) system.

The VIR combines the Expansion Valve, POA Valve and accumulator (which substitutes for the Filter-Drier) in one valve. On the 1973 VIR Grand Prix’s, the VIR is mounted to the Evaporator unit on the passenger side firewall.

Our Rebuilt VIR’s are carefully restored and gold zinc plated.

NOTE:

A core charge is also required and indexing may be required during installation.

We also offer individual VIR parts. Call or email us.

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix came in two versions in terms of factory air conditioning. Production began with a Filter-Drier/Expansion/POA Valve system but later models used a Valves-in Receiver (VIR) system.

The VIR combines the Expansion Valve, POA Valve and accumulator (which substitutes for the Filter-Drier) in one valve. On the 1973 VIR Grand Prix’s, the VIR is mounted to the Evaporator unit on the passenger side firewall.

Our VIR Rebuild Kit is a factory correct replacement kit for the later year 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix’ and includes:

• O-rings
• Sight-glass Teflon washer
• Tube clip
• Dessicant bag, and
• Filter screen

We also offer individual VIR parts and can even custom rebuild your original valve, including gold zinc plating. Call or email us.

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix came in two versions in terms of factory air conditioning. Production began with a Filter-Drier/Expansion/POA Valve system but later models used a Valves-in Receiver (VIR) system.

The VIR combines the Expansion Valve, POA Valve and accumulator (which substitutes for the Filter-Drier) in one valve. On the 1973 VIR Grand Prix’s, the VIR is mounted to the Evaporator unit on the passenger side firewall.

While the VIR systems function well with the old R12 refrigerant they were designed for, the inability to adjust their calibration makes them marginal at best for use with 134a refrigerant.

Our VIR Eliminator Kit replaces the VIR with the Accumulator equipped cycling-clutch-orifice-tube (CCOT) used on modern GM vehicles. The kit includes:

• A new Accumulator
• Cycling Switch
• Orifice Valve, and
• Fittings.

Simply install the Accumulator and Orifice Valve in place of the VIR, replace one end of your Suction Hose, and wire in the Cycling Switch.

This kit can also be ordered as part of our Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits, replacing the VIR Rebuild Kit. Call or email us.

1973 was a split year in terms of the air conditioning system design for Pontiac Grand Prix’s. The early versions used a Filter-Drier but due to a mid-year design change, the later versions did not, instead using a Valves-in-Receiver (VIR) design where the Expansion Valve, the POA Valve and an Accumulator (replacing the Filter-Drier) were combined into one valve.

If you have an early 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix, the Filter-Drier is the metal canister mounted vertically inside the engine compartment on the passenger side of the Condenser.

Its primary function is to absorb the moisture that naturally exists in a car air conditioning system. Unchecked moisture will corrode the system internally, releasing contaminants that will restrict refrigerant flow, reduce system performance and ultimately clog the system and cause it to fail.

Although a Filter-Drier can last for many years in a closed system, it should always be replaced or restored whenever the air conditioning system is opened to the atmosphere.

Our 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix Filter-Drier is compatible with both R12 and 134a refrigerants.

If you prefer, we can custom restore your 1973 Grand Prix Filter-Drier. Call or email us.

A/C INFO:

The 1962 to early 1973 Grand Prix’s all used essentially the same filter-drier canister. However, one set of fittings was used on the 1962-1967 versions and a different set of fittings was used on the 1968 to early 1973 versions. Our 12-103 product has the correct fittings needed for the 1962-1967 Grand Prix and our 12-204 product has the correct fittings for the 1968-early 1973 Grand Prix.

More information on GM Filter-Driers?

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

Classic Auto Air offers restoration and rebuilding services for 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix heater boxes, heater cores, and heater valves

Depending on availability, we may offer NOS and NORS heater parts.

Give us a call or email and let’s discuss your needs.

Classic Auto Air can repair or rebuild almost any air conditioning part from a 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Call or email us. We would be glad to help.

The air conditioning components on a 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix that we can repair or replace include:

• GM A6 Compressor
• Tube and Fin Condenser
• Controls
• Evaporator (restore only)
• Filter-Drier on early year models
• Expansion ’ POA Valves on early models. On later models, Valves-in-Receiver (VIR) (Combines Expansion Valve, POA Valve and Accumulator in one valve)
• Hoses and lines
  

We can also help you convert a 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix R12 refrigerant system over to 134a. More on converting to 134a.

Don't see what you're looking for? Need technical help? Call or email.

We are always buying, selling and rebuilding air conditioning parts for classic vehicles.

Our available inventory changes on a regular basis but on every day we have more NOS, NORS and restored/rebuilt classic car air conditioning parts than anyone else in the world.

Call or email us to discuss your needs.