[curiousone940]

Just my .02 cents worth...you've got a system almost 30 years old that probably didn't work real well when new. I would rather not say how much I've spent ($$$ and time) on my a/c system and with all of its current faults, it's likely as good as it will ever be. If your expectation is to have a "functioning" a/c system (i.e. it holds freon and will make a little cool air from time to time), you can patch up (i.e. pull a vacuum, fix any significant leaks and charge the system) what's there; if your definition of "functioning" is something closer to new Honda/Ford/Toyota, then you best get out your check book. It's a slippery slope.