Vacuum pump recommendation for AC

[redfishsc]

Well, gotta replace the evaporator. Damaged it trying to clean the crud out of it. Best I can see with the camera, I damaged the fins and now the air doesn't flow hardly at all.

Can anyone recommend a decent, affordable vacuum pump for this? It seems you can spend as much as you want here, they range from $60 up. Already have a manifold gauge and I'll look up the whole process soon.

Second question. Since the rest of the system is functioning fine, is it OK just to evacuate, replace the evaporator, pull vacuum and test for leaks, then recharge?

I'd rather not spend the cash on a bunch of parts right now but I also know that replacing some parts on AC with old parts still there can be problematic.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

I would change the accumulator and orifice tube at the very minimum.

As for vacuum pumps, I have one that is over 10 years old from Harbor Freight that still works great.

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-61245.html

 

[Dropped88]

My pump looks the same as @L31MaxExpress just a different brand sticker and works great, also whatever you decide run at a minimum a 30 min vacuum

 

[Schurkey]

When I needed an A/C vacuum pump, I went to O'Reillys and got their "loaner" pump and a bottle of air-pump oil.

I had to actually pay for the oil, but the cost of the loaner vacuum pump was entirely refunded.

Can't beat that.

Ran the pump for an hour or so, closed the valves, shut the pump off, looked at the low-side gauge...and let it sit overnight. Came back the next morning, tapped the low-side gauge. It didn't move from the night before. Turned on the pump, opened the valves, let it suck for another ten minutes and called it good.