Hi everybody,have a 33 ford 2dr sedan am working on,it is going to run a 52 flattie with the t5 behind it,full fendered car,chopped 3 inches,roof filled,all the original chrome peices and bumpers,nothing special just a typical hot rod sedan,i really want to add A/C to the flattie,has anyone got pictures of how they mounted the compressor to the motor,up top or even down on the side i dont care how it was done,also what compressor have you used?,I run a bodyshop and i do some A/C work too and thoughtit would be neat to run A/C on this car,If you can help out that would be great. Harvey B
This is the best pic I could find..I started with cardboard and made a template. I used the template and made a wood bracket to make sure the compressor would match with the pulleys when bolted on..You know that you have to use a alternator.. It took some time but wasn't real hard. I wish I had the template I would send it to you.. YOU CAN DO IT>> Duane.
Hi Duane,thanks for the picture,as i look at your motor,i realize it is a pre 48,water necks in the middle of the head,and dizzy is down on front,my engine is a 52,the water necks are at the front,and dizzy is on front corner,as i look at my motor i may have to rethink this again,just not a lot of room on that top right corner,any one else "solved" this puzzle. Thanks Harvey
Since A/C systems only became available in 1955 on Fords, it's safe to say that a flathead Ford never came with A/C from the factory.
My roadster had full time a/c with a stroker Merc and a generator. Alternators just look wrong on a flathead.....a/c looks even worse.
Vintage air sells the brackets. It is a side by side and mount where the oem alt bracket is mounted. www.vintageair.com
I'd rather see A/C on his flathead than have him put in a 350 so he could be comfortable in the summer.
'51 8BA in a '35 Fordor. I still need to get two hoses made up, but it's all behind the stock '35 radiator with and electric fan. I also have the steel version of that bracket for sale. If inerested, PM me. RB
Prince Edward Island is not too from Maine. I've been in N. Maine in the summer and it can get over 90 F easily.
How many of your "purists" live in a house that was built before A/C was common in homes and now have A/C installed? Hell's Bells, if you have a REALLY vintage home, it may not have had electricity when built..........so what is the difference in updating a vintage car you want to use........comfortably? Ray
I have no problem with the A/C. The compressor just looks bad sitting on top of a flathead. We have an old home with A/C put in about 10 years back. The compressor does not sit on the front lawn. I am putting a Merc together slowly and would like to put A/C in it but have not figured a plan for the compressor. Interested in seeing a solution; maybe just have to get used to the compressor top and center. Neal
A full fendered car (OP's statement) likely will have a hood and therefore the compressor is not quite on the "front porch".......though that is a clever and colorful way of expressing your opinion............. Ray
Don't have any pics, but I was thinking of mounting one under the car and running a pully off the drive shaft. Anyone ever do this. I know you wouldn't have air when you stopped at a red light, but you wouldn't sit that long.
Hi Guys,thanks for the pictures and comments,yes i am goind to run the original hood,so it wont be that noticable,it occasionally gets into the 90's here in the summer,when it does you should see the people scramble to get their A/C repaired,I swear they think they will melt without it?out of 90 days of summer you might need A/C for 15 days on a "hot" summer.I just want to do it because i like playing around with this kind of thing,as for the "driveshaft" type of A/C, what about one of the systems they use on the 18 wheelers,it is a self contained heat and cool unit,they use it so the trucks dont have to idle all nite,might be able to mount that in a box on a pick up?. Thanks Harvey
Unless you do lots of non-stop driving, you'll get disappointing results. Also, the compressor mounts would be tricky and the hoses constantly flexing as the suspension travels.
I've often wondered this: Can you take the head unit off a small generator (Like a 5 horse Coleman) and mount it to the engine, belt driven. Then run the 110 volts to both a small AC unit hidden and also a converter to charge the car battery? I have a 72 Chevy PU with a 6.2, thought about trying this so I have mobile 110 volts. I realize I have an ugly truck with lots-O-room underhood.
Your flathead is not going to be happy running in 90 degree heat to begin with....why tax it with AC? Its not traditional....just sell the flatty to someone who is building a traditional hot rod and put a 350 with AC and an electric fan in your street rod...just my $0.02 while your at it, put in elctric windows, auto door poppers and pait it Easter Egg pink??? Why is this thread not closed yet?
A bit reactionary aren't we Too much coffee this morning or not enough yet ? Close the thread just because of an A/C question...WOW...glad you are not the King But you are right about one thing.....Flatties tend to run hot. Ray
When I built my A/C on my Flathead, when it came on the engine didn't lose rpms. Flatheads have good torque. Not an issue.. Duane
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