My '64 Cadillac DeVille had been sitting for awhile while I was travelling this summer and when I came home it had some issues starting. After replacing the plugs and the ignition coil, it was running better than it had in a long time but the brakes were sticking. I noticed the brake pedal was traveling a little farther than usual when slowing down. Soon after I noticed a hissing noise coming from around the brake pedal. Then I lost the brakes pretty much completely. I couldn't find any…

Wow, what a great recitation of events-and what a magnificent restoration. 

Thanks for providing a most pleasurable read.

Norm

OK, here we go.....

I got the book to troubleshoot the system. INDISPENSABLE to this effort. 

As I do a cursory exam, I see that the AC RECIRC SOLENOID is Cracked (the WHITE one in the engine compartment coming out of the HVAC body with two vacuum hoses on it). I tried to patch it up (cracked all around the base), but it does not look like it will hold. 

PLEASE TELL ME THAT REPLACING THIS PART IS NOT AS DIFFICULT AS I THINK IT IS, But I think it is a bear to…

My 63 CDV factory A/C was trash so I replaced every part in the system and converted to R134 . I also installed a STV bypass kit which eliminated the STV all together and converted the system to a cycling system.  I vacumed and charged the system with 36oz of 134. The system is cycling as it should and the pressures are right at 250 high side, cycle off at 25lbs and cycle back on at about 35lbs. It is making plenty of water on the low side hoses and evaporator drain. There is very good air…