I have an old Artic-Kar ac unit from the 60's I believe. I cannot find any documentation on and want to put in my Cadillac. Anyone have any knowledge of these? Size of compressor, dryer or anything else. Will post pics later today. Thanks
I had a Fridgette aftermarket unit on a OT Pontiac and it used a Tecumseh type compressor like on old Fords....
Most all of the aftermarket seemed to use the York compressor. But realistically almost any compressor from a car should work. The aftermarket underdash unit use a thermal expansion valve set up for R-12. They work with R-134a. The key is to use a modern parallel flow style condenser, as opposed to the serpentine tube and fin used with R-12. R-134a needs more cooling in the condenser for best results. Also good to put a pressure safety switch in the new hoses you will make up.
I know from previous threads there’s guys here who could do that from junk yard parts, but I’m not one of them. Just a couple thoughts. That caddy’s a pretty big car, so the capacity side of the unit might need a close look. You can make it blow cold air, but enough for that cabin? Classic Air (whom I’ve used but will withhold comment on) has a separate division in Florida that restores old factory systems. They might have some info on what you’ve got. Worth a phone call. https://www.classicautoair.com/air-conditioning-restoration-repair-services-by-classic-auto-air/ Everyone I know, including me, who’s used Vintage Air has been happy with the result.
Go to Vintage Air's website, they have a good diagram on how to hook everything up. Hose routing is up to you.
FWIW I have a Vintage Air unit in my '49 Cadillac and it will freeze you out and the heat part will roast Ya'....
Here is the unit. It appears to only have one heater inlet. Shouldn't it have an inlet and outlet for coolant? Am I missing something?
It isn't a heater, it is an AC evaporator. I see two hoses. The one under the mass of insulating putty should have the expansion valve. High pressure, liquid refrigerant comes from the condenser to the expansion valve. At the expansion valve it is sprayed into the evaporator, which is at a much lower pressure, as a liquid mist where it boils and take on heat. It leaves the evaporator as a low pressure gas on it's way to the compressor. It becomes a high pressure gas leaving the compressor and entering the condenser. There it give up it's heat and converts back to a high pressure liquid. It then goes through the receiver/dryer and back to the expansion valve.
That unit is AC only, no heat. The smaller line comes from the condenser. The larger one goes to compressor suction side. There should be a drain connection somewhere for the condensation.
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