Projects 1954 Ford Air Conditioning Install

I thought I’d help out some future builder by sharing my install of Air conditioning in my 1954 Country Squire.

the car is powered by a ‘57 - 292 Yblocka and did not come with a heater from the factory.

I need both Heat and AC and especially need windshield defrost.
I also prefer to have the HVAC up under the dash instead of a unit hanging below the dash.

After lots of research and some posts here on the HAMB I decided to use mostly vintage air parts. I bought a kit online that includes most of the components.

I’m using the Vintage Air Super Gen II as it was the largest unit that would definitely fit up under the dash, although I’ll loose most of my glove box. It has 2 defrost ports, 4 dash ports and floor heat

 

You won't be sorry; Vintage Air offers great products and service. The only thing I will caution you on is the lines and crimp on connectors that come with. If I was to do it again, I would either have a pro come out and make the lines right out of the gate or use the stuff that come with to mockup your lines and then take them to someone and have better lines made, particularly on the high-pressure side.

I used the tool that VA rents (no charge once it is returned) and thought I made good crimps, but they leaked when charged. I had a mobile AC guy that was referred to me by a diesel mechanic. He does AC repairs on farm equipment and such and had a well-equipped service truck. He had to remake a couple of lines and said the hoses and crimps supplied were not good enough in his opinion.

Again, this is just my experience and opinion. Looking forward to your install.

 

thanks for the advice.
There is an industrial hose shop nearby and I just found out an old buddy from high school works there.
My plan was to put the lines together and take them there to be crimped.
I’ll mention that the lines and fittings are of u known quality and if he recommends not using them I’ll have him make up whatever lines he recommends.

 

That thing looks huge. lol!

 

That is a great idea. Don't be too surprised if he upgrades the hose quality. I liked the VA hoses, smooth, take a nice coat of armor all. My installer s****ped them for some fibrous hose, textured, corded. Not the shiny stuff. But he said it would outlive me. I hope that was a good thing?!

 

The unit is large but we are talking about heating & cooling a station wagon, and I am well aware that some sacrifices have to be made to mount everything under the dash, the glove compartment takes a hit in size but is big enough for a pair of gloves.

BTW, if you need a new glove box liner Dennis Caroenter has them. mine has been heavily modified. HRP

 

I’m starting to plan out lines, and I’m thinking about using these hard lines to go from then condenser to the dryer which will both be mounted in front of the rad support.

has anyone used these? How are they to work with? Do they bend easily?
https://vintageair.com/hose-kits-and-fittings/u-bend-em-lines/

 

I think they are neat and tidy, even seen them polished or plated on low riders and such. I can tell you that I could have never used them in the 40 PU. Maybe if it had a SBC but the damn Hemi made even routing flex lines a nightmare.

 

I stuck with the tried and trued when I ean the heat & air hoses on our Ranch Wagon, I shy away from hard lines due to how rough our roads are and vibration can cause a crack. HRP

 

Lots of setbacks so far.
I found a deal on an alternator/compressor bracket for a thunderbird.
It turns out that bracket will not work on my wagon because I have a car engine and not a thunderbird engine. I didn’t know they were different.

I managed to get the proper bracket but the compressor and alternator I have don’t fit lol.
What an adventure

 

Never used them, but designed mobile HVAC systems for a good part of my engineering career. You can use hard lines for sure between any two fixed components where there will be no movement between the two. Only issue is that you will have to be exact with dimensions so beads for o-rings are parallel with mating fittings. Any misalignment and chances you’ll have a leak if you try to “force” lines to fit properly. Best if you have slots to mount the dryer to allow for some play for misalignment. Cleanliness is also super critical. Think operating room clean. Keep all components capped until needed. Even small bits of contamination on o-rings can cause leaks. Do not over tighten o-ring fittings. Suction lines in engine compartment should be insulated for maximum performance. Just a few tips.

 

The bird set up accommodates the water pump spacer, which is required by the long damper to clear the front crossmember. Someone on here put a VA on his 56, and he found a bracket to mount the compressor low, under the alternator on the p*** side head.

I think it was Jimmy six. If you’re better with the search function than me, you might find it. He also has a neat solution for the vents under the dash.

 

I’ve read Jimmy Six’s post on AC and it was very helpful!
I think I’ve read every thread on AC here on the HAMB by now and as always they are extremely informative and helpful.

 

I need to find this Jimmy Six post as I want to install AC on mine and would prefer the compressor to be mounted under the alternator. Keep the updates coming. It is motivating me to get started with mine.

 

I am following as I am starting to piece together my AC system for my 57 wagon. Slightly different route than you are taking. As I am using a 58 and later Y block set up and an original under dash unit. My only real question now is R12 or 134? It is a wagon and 12 WILL COOL/FREEZE YOU out of the car. Now about the back seat.......

Mike

 

Here’s Jimmy Six’s post on AC
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1956-air-conditioning.1209217/

 

I got the new/correct alternator/compressor bracket installed.
It’s a nice piece but for the money they charge they could have put some paint on it. We had one warm day and I used that to spray some black paint on it.
It’s setup for a GM 1wire alternator so my 3G doesn’t quite fit.

 

that is henry's voice you hear-- having the last laugh,,,,,

 

tonight I finished the aluminum piece to adapt the vintage air controller to the ‘54 ford dash.
One goal is to not cut holes in the dash. This spot is where the factory heater controls would have been if it had a heater which it didn’t.

 

Hey HRP, do you have a picture of how you routed the lines from the condenser in front of the radiator in to the engine compartment?
Did you use bulkhead fittings on the header panel?

thanks for keeping so many pictures of your build!

 

Condenser is installed!
Next I need to relocate my transmission cooler

 

I have that same unit in my sedan delivery. You won't be sorry. Use 134a. If you can even find someone with r12, they will charge a lot for it. I think 134 works just as well if not better than 12 anyway. One other note, if you take your hoses to be crimped, be sure to mark the rotation of the fittings. You won't be able to move them once they're crimped.

 

Here is how I did the hard lines in my ‘51 Chevy. i used bulk head fittings on the radiator support panel. I used the weld on ends from Vintage Air. The car is not on the road yet, so I don’t have a final performance review.

 

I used two double fittings on the firewall, heater & air conditioning.

I am in the process of making repairs and I have all the lines loose, I'll try to take some photo's of how I re-route the hoses as it goes back together. HRP

 

My condenser is mounted in front of the radiator and the hoses for the condenser is routed below the battery and run just behind the splash apron, again when everything goes back together I will share the photos. HRP

 

If you haven't had the hoses crimped yet, pick up one of the manual crimpers. Easy to clamp in a vise and tighten with a wrench or an impact. They crimp good and I have never had an issue with the the crimps losing vacuum or pressure, plus if youre in a tight spot you can take the tool to the car to crimp if needed. The tool is under $100 and has all the different size dies.

 

thanks for the suggestion,
I have a friend who claims to have access to a crimper solid he comes through it would only cost me a couple of beers.
If not I’m looking at buying this one.
https://amzn.to/4v6H31v

 

Good progress today, I’ve got heater hoses, and coolant,
The transmission cooler is mounted and new lines made and the dryer is mounted,
All that’s left is ac hoses and dash vents.

 

this is the solution I came up with for dash vents, there will be 4 vents total and I didn’t have to cut holes in my dash.

 

Those jaws look like the same style that we had in our HVAC manufacturing business, but we had a hydraulic crimper and we made tens of thousands of hoses every year. Only issue seems that there is no #6 size jaws based on the reviews.