My 164 has all of the equipment for the a/c but the belt was removed from the clutch. I'm figuring that it gave out at some point and the previous owner just removed it. I know that the type of gas in it is now illegal, is there a way to purge the system and add the legal gas?

Just FYI:
Under section 609 of the Clean Air Act, only certified persons can legally
perform any type of service on automotive air conditioning systems. Also, refrigerant leaks are not always visible even if you know what to look for.
And if you do manage to troubleshoot the system and carry out repairs, you will
still need to pull a vacuum on the a/c system for at least a half hour in order to remove the air and moisture as these things can cause system failure. I don't suspect you have a heavy duty vaccum pump with R-12 fitting on it. After the vacuum, you'll need to fill it with the proper amount of refrigerant, preferably measured with a scale. If you are serious about wanting the a/c to work, take it to a reputable shop for diagnosis. Most places can at least tell you what you need or even fix it for you for less than $100.
I'm not trying to scare you away from working on your own car, but home a/c repair can usually will end up in disappointment for the inexperienced.

It is illegal to manufacture but not to use. My mechanic put Freeze 12
in the air conditioner on my Taurus a year and a half ago and it is still
working GREAT! Freeze 12 is legal. Some don't like it but it has been
fine for me.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

I think if the system has been de-pressurized for a long time, I would bet it doesn't hold pressure very well. Seals shrink, dry, and crack.

You should be able to find an adapter that will allow you to pressurize the system with air and watch a gauge for pressure loss.

IMO it is not responsible, or economical, to blow $60-100 on R12 Freon just to have it escape into the ozone.

That's what my Taurus has...Costs a lot more than R134, but its been 4 summers since I refilled it. Still runs fine this summer (according to the new owner).
--
...and the bricks keep on rolling