Is there any problem with mounting the compressor low, like by the fuel pump on a SBC? The evaporater and drier would be above (higher than) the pump, but the ugly compressor would be somewhat hidden.
Mount it where ever it'll fit. It don't care where it is. Look @ the new vettes , etc. Mounted low and outta sight.
A/C kit prices can be all over the board, some inexpensive, and some ridiculously high. I have pieced systems together using very easy to find parts for cheap. The Mark IV style systems are very effective, but some guys don't like the look or the fact that they aim right at your knees. You can find some working units on Craigslist, but at this time of year (summer) the prices are higher than they would be in the off-season. If you have the room behind the dash, the space-saver systems are cool. Another cheap alternative is to find a Suburban or van that is equipped with dual AC and use the rear AC unit. It's extremely close in appearance to a Vintage Air or equivalent, and they are very compact. Wait until the local self-service yard has a sale day and you can pick one of these units for less than $50. Most of these units have very low hours, too. If you've got a small interior and you're looking for a small, hideable compressor, look at the late 80s Chevy Sprints and Geo Metros. They have TINY compressors with v-belt clutch/pulley set-ups and they actually work pretty well in a small coupe or pickup. You can mount them down low and paint them black and they nearly disappear. Look in the motorhomes at the wrecking yard for the controls. 90% of them use the same controller. They are pretty small, easy to hide, and usually less than $10. Don't skimp on the condensor. Try to buy or find one that takes full advantage of incoming air from the grille. In my opinion, condensor size is one of the most important features of a good-working system. You can buld your own system using parts from many sources, but you'll have to work out the mounting issues and you'll have to build your own hoses. I find that building your own system can be a money-saver and be much cleaner in appearance than the "one size fits all" kits that have clunky brackets and hoses that are routed in plain view and are extremely unattractive.
There is over 100 psi on the high side and it will easily push any oil through. The oil needs to stay suspended in the freon to lubricate the compressor. We mount the condenser horizontally with an electric fan blowing air upward through it on the material handlers.
I think 80's/90's but around here at least a lot of the high end ones had the rear air and are now showing up in the wrecking yards. The only real minus on those under dash ac units is that they are ugly and get in the way but usually they will freeze you out of most rigs. I swapped a used unit into my 69 Cutl*** when I got married in Texas in 1969 and had one in my 59 ElCamino and both kicked out really cold air. I'd still do the complete installation myself and when it's all together take it to an ac spe******t to have it evacuated and charged. If a guy has the gauges an old refrigerator compressor that still works makes a great vacuum pump for AC work if you put the right fitting on the inlet side to connect it to the hose on the gauges. WH Thomas in Waco used one like that for years in the 70's.
watch your wrecking yards for conversion vans they generally use a system that can behidden under a dash or behind a seat
My friend bought a 79 dollar window air unit for his O/T truck and stuck it in the rear sliding window... One power inverter later and that ****er works good. Well you just might be a redneck if you do this... Im a redneck/hillbilly are you?
I always look in the Suburbans from '73 to present. The full size vans, also. I'm sure the Ford and Dodge equivalents have the same kind of stuff, but I'm usually in the GM section when I go parts hunting.
i think if the pressure is too high or too low you'll have similar symptoms so check that first. a few winters ago I bought a complete a/c unit that had been installed in a 40 ford sedan. total price.. installed $400.. (with my pal john charging me to pump down and charge it..) it keeps the 40 wagon p***engers cool in the front. in the rear, not so much..
If the under the dash part looked more vintage I would be interested in one of those kits for my 66 F250,I will look for a old system since I still have plenty of freon stashed away. I bought a few out of the junkyards years ago and should have most of the parts if I can only find the under the dash part.
Until we chuck the compresssor it will always be a pain. Solid state coolers , small versions of which are used in 12 Volt coolers have been used since the 70s to cool transmitters etc. It is high time someone built one for in car use. Very simple device. 12 volts supply controlled by a thremostat with a fan blowing over it. Probably the units from say 5 or 10 12 volt coolers would give one frostbite even if not controlled by a thermostat in a closed space like a car. An idea that is practical and long long overdue in implimentation. ME I dont want air in my hot rod. I want to feel the breeze. Otherwise I would have tried it long ago. Don
Hi Don, There are three, I was familiar w/Mr Peltier. Jud http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect
No I do not, BUT-I was looking at another of his 'bay listings at same 350 price which had no bracket and no compressor so.......I am still in school.
I f the tubes on condensor are horizontal it will work but most likely will cycle thru a sequence of freeze up and blow actual frost in yer face, dont ask how I know that....
I'm really liking this thread, I bought a mid 60's mustang unit, but looks like this type unit will better fit my needs and its complete. To add to that they are down in San Antonio, maybe I could save on shipping by driving down to pick it up. As far as ugly looking units, when your cruising here in Texas and its 110 degrees in the car, ugly goes out the window.
Stay away from Old Air Products. I am not going to spend all the time typing all the problems I had with their unit, just believe me.
A lot of these companies spend big $$ on advertising. I've talked with people who've used big money on these all behind dash heat/air units and were usually disappointed. When they were cable operated, cables were cheap, leavers broke, now electronic or vacuum have to be better grounded and the amount of air blown out is minimal though cold. Most have said "If I did it again I'd go for a simple under the dash unit." I've got one to pirate out of top back of a 87 suburban soon
Hey Guy's, for your info Vintage Air evaporators have made in China components. This was told to me when I asked the VA rep at a show. The whole evaporator could be made in China for all we know. You'd have to be petty naive to think any electronic component you bought didn't contain Chinese products. That includes TV's, cameras, computers, etc. You wouldn't pay the price for a made in U.S. product.
[QUOTE="T'RANTULA";7898851]My friend bought a 79 dollar window air unit for his O/T truck and stuck it in the rear sliding window... One power inverter later and that ****er works good. Well you just might be a redneck if you do this... Im a redneck/hillbilly are you?[/QUOTE] Friend of mine told me about how, back about 50 years ago, he added AC to a 50-something Caddy. He found an old window AC that used a belt-driven compressor and rigged it up, compressor belted to the engine, evaporator in the trunk. Said it worked well. No AC clutch of course, and didn't seem to matter.
What he said! I have had the one in my '58 Apache since '99 and you can't run fast enough to catch me to give me another one. I would replace it but the truck doesn't get driven enough to be worth it. It is mostly driven in the spring and fall in Oklahoma. The lastest problem with it was the fan quit running. When I pulled it I couldn't find anything close to matching it on line so I decided to pull it apart to see if maybe I was get lucky. Once I had the motor apart, I found that the solder joints were all "cold" and one of the power in wires had come loose. I resoldered all of the connections, soaked the bushings in oil and when I put it back together it ran. The system is just cheaply engineered. The mounting brackets that came with mine were made of 26 gauge tin which allows the unit to move and rattle. We are freshening the engine and repainting the truck this fall at which time I am thinking about making new brackets to mount the unit more solidly.
I think Vintage Air has a little different "program" than others. Higher quality control, their own R&D group, and have things manufactured to THEIR spec. I'm shootin' from the hip on this, so don't take it as gospel. The Chisenhall's have been real nice folks whenever I've met them, the kind of people you'd LIKE to do business with. I'm glad I started this thread, lots of good info here and I'll probably be buying the ebay kit too when I'm ready to tackle that portion.
I keep an oven thermometer in my car. Just went and checked, 145. NoA/C in the DD but the Galaxie is black. Thats gotta have it.
Thought I had a good idea using this in aircraft but found out it will need a constant high amperage to accomplish. Something like 30 amps of 12v with no fan motor. Physics and math wins again. For a car you'd need another battery/charging system. Chuck
I took some metal working cl***es from Ron Covell at Vintage Air's facility, and all I can say is wow. They do all their own thermo forming, cnc milling, brazing of the heater cores, and more. I highly recommend going to their shop for an open house. I've not owned any of their products, but I will when it comes time.
I bought one of these budget kits from a guy here on the hamb and the squirrel cage is ****. I am removing the under dash unit for a vintage one soon. The fan screams until it binds up and stops turning, then pops the fuse. It's all plastic.
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