63 mercury a/c help please

ok guys, I'm a/c illiterate. It's august in texas and I want to get my a/c going. The car is a 63 mercury monterey with factory air. Are these convertable to r-134? I thought they all were and a guy at NAPA informed me otherwise. So my questions are...
1. can I get this thing set up for 134?
2. if so can I do it myself, or should I shell out the dough to take it somewhere?
thanks guys. -Joeks

 

You'll need to change the hose to the new shielded style and on a 63 car who wouldn't do that anyway? If the compressor is up to snuff super, but if not buy a rebuilt or new one. Change to a new style drier, I think. You'll need adapter fittings for your R12 fittings and all new O-rings/gaskets.
If the system is intact at this time I think I would have the pros look at it and give you an estimate on the conversion, new hoses, compressor etc. since they'll need to pressure test coil and condensor etc. anyway before you activated it.

 

thank you sir. thats just what i needed to know

 

Try searching the web for a product called "Freeze 12". It is said to directly replace R-12. No need to change anything. Can even be added to existing R-12..