So I've got a 2004 Corvette, that I bought a couple of years ago at auction after it was wrecked. I've been restoring it, and now I'm down to just the last couple things, one of which is the a/c system.

When I got the car, the lines were completely empty. I checked for pressure at the ports and got nada. I figured the condenser or a line had been damaged in the accident, but waited to do a leak test to confirm before ordering parts.

Did the leak test, was able to pull full vacuum, and to my surprise it has held perfectly. Over about 36 hours the gauges haven't moved at all.

My a/c repair experience has been limited to Tesla's (which are very different to a regular car) and the fancy recovery/recharge machines they have. Being that I'm a DIYer now with basic tools, I've got a few questions.

1. Given that the system was empty, should I trust that it's really leak-free? There any chance that due to safety or some such the auction house would have evacuated the system before hand?

2. I planned on replacing the accumulator and the orifice tube. When replacing the lost oil that's built up in the accumulator, should I add it to the new one or just add it in with the refrigerant?

3. I should fill from the hi side correct? I figured having liquid going into the suction side would not be good for the compressor, but want to be sure.

Any other things I should look at? Thanks!