1952-59 Ford Which Air Condition Company for my 56

Which company would you recommend to buy air condition kit from for my 56? I have a 351W set up in the car.

Thanks!

 

I think a good heater would be better ! LOL ! https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/14830:4:US Unless you are planing a move to Phoenix or Florida. You might want to look at this members A/C set up on a 351 https://public.fotki.com/hotrodprimer/hotrodprimer-1/

 

Vintage Air, they even have a kit to use your factory controls.

 

I used the Vintage Air Gen IV system for my 54 and 351W block. It will freeze you out of the car. I also used their AC bracket and now power steering bracket to drive the system. They dont make a kit for the Fords so you have to get the system and adapt. If the 56 is like the 54 you'll lose your glove box, but worth the price of Cold Air... If I can be of help let me know.

 

Cka7 I am confused by your comment about no kit for Fords. Do you mean the Sure Fit series? Anyway, they do have a kit to use the 56 heat/fresh air controls for their unit, they just don't advertise it. When I was talking with them about a unit for my 55 they sent me the instructions for it.

 

Yes, I was referring to the complete kit like the Vintage Air Sure Fit. Nalakaya had asked about a kit so I was under the impression he was interested in a bolt in kit if available. Vintage Air may have the controls for the dash, but as far as a kit that bolts in and accommodates existing holes for mounting evaporator, condenser, ac /heater lines, etc ...they do not. It's not like the 55-57 Chevy etc wherein they have kits that bolt into factory mounting points.

 

Thanks for the input. I wasn’t going to put a AC in this year but we are making the trip to Louisville this year to the NSRA Nationals and it is the first week in August. My wife wants air.
I know most used Vintage air. I also see Cl***ic Auto Air has a kit for the 55 and 56. I was wondering if there were any differences or what sets one apart from the other. I’m guessing I couldn’t go wrong with either.

Thanks for the info.

 

A good friend used the Cl***ic kit in his 55. He later told me that he wished he had used the Vintage Air. I cant remember the difficulties he experienced with the Cl***ic but do remember him saying it was a very difficult install. He said he thought it cooled pretty well until he rode in another friends with VA. Sad to say he is no longer with us to ask him.

 

Actually, with your interior I would very seriously consider an under the dash unit. They do a good job of putting the most airflow on you and you continue to have the stock heater and controls. I would call VA and discuss with them, they are very helpful. You will probably have to leave a number and they will call you back.

 

From what I've read about the under dash units they are not too efficient. The people in the front might stay somewhat cool but anyone in the back seat will bake. I was planning to put one in my wagon but after hearing this I changed my mind. My kids ride in the back and I want them to stay comfortable.

 

Why would in dash air move more air to the rear of the car?

 

I'm not sure Okie. All I can say that it was a common complaint. Maybe the hang on unit produces less btu's. I read it on this forum a while back.

 

I am using the Mark IV under dash from Vintage Air unit in my wagon it does a good job i just run the fan on low speed most of the time the unit moves lot's of air on high can't say about the back seat never ridden in the back seat can't say about that in my 55 Victoria i ran a OLD AIR under dash unit it did a good job also

 

I'll call VA today and discuss it with them. I'm 99% sure that is the way I'm going to go.
Thanks!

 

I'll be interested in what VA tells you. I have an under-dash unit in my '55 Victoria and is is just "so-so" in cooling even though the output air is 40 degrees. I think the size of the cooling coil and the cfm of air flow makes a difference.

 

In-dash vents are better at air distribution to the back seat because the vents are usually mounted higher up and farther apart than hang-on unit vents. There is less in the way to block air flow. For hang-on units try aiming one vent at the dome light to ricochet some some flow to the back seat area. Not the best solution but it helps.

 

unless you plumb some ducts to the rear of a wagon, i doubt that any unit can cool that much space, hence the reason all modern suv's have rear air ducts. i can say that my ac will freeze me out up front while folks in the back say that they are hot

 

A friend with a 41 Woodie mounted a slick little battery powered fan that circulates air to the rear, says it does a decent job. Of course having a wood headliner makes mounting easier.

 

I talked with VA and they recommended the Gen IV unit, plus they have a set up to use the factory controls. They also have a shallow glove box you could use to replace the original because it does take up most of the glove box area like CKa7 said. Basically, I think it is the same set up CKa7 has in his car. I'm going to do a little more research, but that is probably the way I will go. My next issue is I wanted to change the gauges and install a new wiring harness at the same time. Too many decisions sometimes.

 

The Gen IV is what I have in my 55 Sunliner although it is still in upholstery jail so I have not charged it. The bracket it came with worked like it was made for the 55.

 

The unit I installed in our '54 Ford was purchased from Southern Air because they were local and Tom is a friend of mine, Knowing what I know now I would purchase the Vintage Air, the SA unit works OK but in the dog days of summer the p***engers in the back seat are mot comfortable.

I purchased a Vintage Air unit for my 32 Ford sedan and it's extremely quiet and the air will freeze you out, again, the Vintage Air is just a little more expensive but worth every cent. HRP

 

Not all compressors are the same size, the older two piston York compressor used as OEM in 60's &70's Fords was rated at 10 cubic ft and will move more freon through the system than the smaller Sandens SD- 508's included in most aftermarket kits which are rated at 8 cubic ft. if you use the Sanden you should use a SD 510. I went for the nostalgia look using a 1966 Mustang under dash with a change to a 134a expansion valve and the original York unit we had 39 degree air at the vents with an outside temp of 105 total cost ended up under $200 thanks to some freebees,ebay and craigslist.https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/302-with-mustang-a-c.34689/

 

One other question?
Do you lose the p*** side fresh air vent when you go to the VA system?

I would like to keep that if possible.

 

I removed mine so I cant say for sure but I think you could retain it. It remains in upholstery jail or I would go take a look.

 

The original vent system has no affect on Vintage Air kits. You can keep them function able if you want. I didnt like ac lines etc running across the engine so I actually used my p***enger side air vent to run my ac lines through and to the evaporator. ..

 

It looks like I would lose the control if I went with the VA kit to adapt to my factory controls. If I can keep the fresh air vent, I may try to use the VA controls and hide them in the glove box area.

Thanks for the info!

 

The Vintage air controls are very small and compact at least the one that I chose is. I mounted mine under the dash in close proximity to be able to easily control the system. I posted a pic so you can see how small it is. The keys are kinda blocking a little but it's the only pic I had of that area.

 

Better picture of the VA controls. Very compact.

 

That looks good and clean.

Is your system the Gen IV?

Thanks!