Vintage Air in a 65 Riv

Im thinking about putting air in my Riv. what can you guys tell me about Vintage air? Will it really get it cold? Will I need to worry about the car overheating from the air? anything else I should know about?

Thanks

Jeff

 

No factory air?

 

VA has a very good unit. Should cool your car. As far as making it run hot, that is another issue. Good cooling system is needed first. IMHO

 

I don't think cooling would be an issue(as long as you have a good radiator and fan shroud), didn't all of the Rivieras come with factory air? I'd fix the factory air, will look a lot better, not much room for an underdash box with the center console.

 

I'm with Richard D...go with the factory air if ya can

 

My car had factory air, but most of the parts to it are missing.. and a guy that i talked to who sells riv parts said that factory air wont get it very cool. he suggested VA. Is he wrong? I would much rather use the factory air as long as it'll cool the car well.

thanks guys

 

I have a magazine article at home, I was just reading a week ago or so, a place that specializes in old A/C parts. I'll look it up tonight when I get home, remind me if I forget. You you will need to convert the system to 134a, the old R12 is pretty much history. I plan to fix mine as soon as possible. I don't see why it wouldn't get very cool, those were expensive luxury cars in their day.

 

That doesn't sound right that a lux car would have a stock AC unit not good enough to do the job.

 

Been in a few Rivieras and other Buicks with the A/C on. It works well if properly maintained. I've also converted a couple to newer compressors and 134a as well.

 

Not a '65 Riv- but the air in my buddy's '62 Electra blows cold, and it's just the refurbished factory system. I used to have a '67 Impala retrofitted with the R-134A setup like on modern cars, and it seemed to work well- at least equal to the Buick's setup.

 

When you consider the Vintage air is a couple grand installed, it makes sense to do it right. I won't hesitate to use Vintage Air on my non-A/C pickup in the future, however.

 

Depending on how much it's going to cost you to get the system updated and working, you might want to consider the switch to Vintage Air's Gen IV system. Those usually run about about $700 plus the cost of the controller. IMHO these are the best fitting and best working aftermarket AC units available and would perform as you would expect.

If it's just a few hoses and switches, then it would be cost effective to just restore what's there. If the evaporator or blower motor is shot, then the story starts to change.

 

All I can say is just weigh the costs and effort. Going with the Vintage AC unit may be pricey, but it likely could save you quite a bit of aggravation in the long haul.

 

I think you guys are forgetting there's nowhere to mount the aftermarket A/C unit. They are 15.5" wide, 13'5" deep, and 5.75" tall. In a car with no center console, sure. But in a Rivi with the big console and bucket seats...

I'll mock up a picture tonight, I have a Mark IV on the shelf in my garage. You'll see what I mean.

http://www.vintageair.com/08/catalog08/08%20VA%20cat%20pg%2023%20f.pdf

 

Here's the man to talk to:

 

I don't get the impression that the op is looking at the underdash unit. i think he is talking about a behind the dash unit. I have no experience with a Riviera to say if an aftermarket unit will fit.

i second what El Polacko said about the GEN IV unit. That unit kicks *** and is basically the same unit that was used in the Ford GT supercar. We routinely get 34 to 36 degrees out of the vents with those units with properly matched components....that is almost enough to keep a ******* roadster cool.

Check Vin Air's dealer list for someone in your area. Most dealer/installers have mock up units on the shelf that they will lone or rent for you to try.

 

They don't list one for the Riv. Maybe a universal will fit behind the glovebox.

 

I have all my factory air parts for my 63, most likely the same parts for your 65. PM me if you wanna see if I have what you need. If you just need a bunch of small parts, pay for shipping and you can have em!

 

Not a Mark IV, you are right about it not fitting.

I am suggesting a Gen IV, http://vintageair.com/catalog10/2010 VintageAir Catalog printed_ (Page 18).pdf

 

I've had good luck with VA units in the past. Top notch stuff. If you go with an OEM system, Cl***ic Auto Air in Tampa sells lots of factory parts for all makes. Had good luck with those folks too.

http://www.cl***icautoair.com/Other_Models_Air_Conditioning_AC.html

 

PM Droplord49. He works for em and can answer any questions you have and get you hooked up if you so choose. Tel him Lowburban sent ya.

 

thanks for the tips guys. i'll look into it more and try to decide. i would much rather get the factory air if possible.

I'll pm droplord49 now. thanks!

 

I'd find another vendor than Cl***ic Auto Air for the stock stuff, they couldn't/wouldn't make some stuff right for a Tbird we did. And I could have gotten everything they did send cheaper from local suppliers.

 

Good to know. It's been a couple of years since I bought anything from them.
Thanx, Phil

 

If you have a factory air car all the ducts can be used to vent a VA system. If your car did not have a/c, I think there are still heater and dash vents. If you have a factory air car and it has not been working for several years you can't rebuild the system and convert it to 134a refrigerant for less than an all new VA Gen-IV system. Period. R12 is unobtainium these days.

The VA Gen-IV was engineered specifically to fit behind the p***senger side dash area and to clear the larger trans tunnels on "later" cars! And it will perform BETTER than the original climate control system. The control panel can be mounted anywhere you choose.
Call Mark or George Packard at Vintage Air and they'll hook you up with a good installer in PA. You'll thank them EVERY day you drive that Riv!

I am ***ociated with VA. But there is a reason all the major builders and shops use their systems.

 

John is the best!

 

Sorry, but I have to call "********" on that one. I've done it several times, and they worked great. All you need is different oil in the compressor, and a few adapter fittings, well under fifty bucks. That is not including a new compressor if yours it wasted, of course. Even with a compressor, dryer, orifice tube, etc., way less than the $700+ for a whole new Vintage Air system. Plus installing the new system. Not knocking them, I entend to get one myself for a non-A/C truck I have, but I'd much prefer the repaired factory unit.

P.S. Check out Rod And Custom, October 2009(H.A.M.B. mamber NeilinCA's roadster pickup is on the cover!)good article on air conditioning.

 

Ditto

 

Ditto!

 

Like I said to rebuild the stock system and upgrade the compressor don't count out your local suppliers. I can get everything local that I need to do one. Unless it's a model specific part like the control panel for the Riviera.