Thanks for the kind words of support everyone. In the months since I realized the fridge wasn't working anymore, I had a guy with an R12 leak detector and he did the best he could (without disassembling) anything to detect a leak and he couldn't find any. Which means either the system isn't leaking and has another problem, or the more likely of the two scenarios, that the R12 already completed leaked out and has nothing left in it.
I did have the fridge on wheels the whole time I was working on it, but I was pushing it around alot and going over bumps and such, so its likely that there was a tube or leak somewhere that was about ready to go, and it just had one too many vibrations.
The only hint of good news is I found a guy who can give me tips on retrofitting a new compressor in the fridge. Looking at the condensor, he says that I should be able to retain the use of most of the fittings. Its still a risky project because I still don't know the condition of the tubes inside the inner walls of the fridge. I can easily get to the under side and back, but nothing inside.
I won't even consider tackling this til sometime this upcoming summer. I already have the fridge painted and pretty. And I have a big garage, so theres no reason to get rid of it. So right now, it will remain an interesting conversation piece and heavy paperweight, but there is still hope that one day it can become a kegerator!
