Technical Adding A/C to ‘63 impala from junkyard

Hey guys I’m cheap,broke and adventurous with a ‘63 Impala that would like to have a A/C system . I know there is classic air and some other companies with systems for this but very expensive. I ain’t got $2G’s. I do love to rummage around junkyards and can do some modifications,fabrications. What I was thinking is pulling the whole A/C system out of I dunno a modern junk car and making it work in my ‘63 Impala. Has anyone out there done this? Or do y’all think this is a dumb idea. Let me know . Thanks

 

https://vintageair.com/1963-64-impala-with-factory-air-gen-5-surefit-evaporator-kit/
1500 isn't cheap and it doesn't come with all the suggested and needed parts.
However, you are competing against the OE, lowrider and custom crowd to source original or vintage era dealer-installed parts. Going with a late model setup will probably be less expensive. You will need to find one that can provide proper BTU volume, fit in the tight area, and be adapted to the car. There are cheap knock offs for ~500 but using OE stuff would probably be better in the long run provided you can engineer it well. Having it all fit and work properly will be the difference between a mod that devalues the car and one that improves value. Try to use a system that has readily available and cheap parts.

 

Wouldn’t a modern OEM system have a huge amount of computerized controls? Probably integrated with the rest of the computer in the car.

You’d have to go back to the 80’s to find a simple system, and those components would probably be worn out by now.

 

I'll also mention that someone who can't research and bolt on a factory P/S system has no business trying to adapt a more modern OE setup to an old car.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/‘63-impala-bottom-pulley-gap.1337757/
It's got to work with the pulleys, mount to the engine, have mods done to the firewall and the other components all mounted properly. I'm not trying to beat you down, but this is a big project. Learn to walk before you run (or F up your ride).

 

ETH, do what I did. Find a 'hang under the dash" unit from the '50s-'60s. Buy a new condenser and compressor from Vintage. I suspect you will still end up with $1000.00 in it.

Ben

 

When all the dust has settled.I think you will spend more on a system not made for your car along with the expense of Tylenol.

 

The only thing that will have any hope of fitting would be an underdash unit - just like what you would have done back in 1963 if you had the money. Anything else, is fully integrated into the specific dash and firewall of the donor car.

 

Well I did finally get the correct pulley installed . That’s gotta be progress. Alright maybe scrap the A/C idea and do power windows? Is that more doable thing?

 

Good luck adapting any modern HVAC system to your old Chevy. The stock heater box will not accept an evaporator, and there isn't much room behind that dash for anything else. Sometimes you've gotta bite bullet and spend money, or roll the windows down and crank the vents open.

 

And, there's this...

 

In my younger days, while working at an auto junkyard bodyshop, I took a non ac off topic (early 70’s) cutlass convertible and made it an ac convertible car. You will have holes to fill in your existing non-ac cowl and new, larger, openings to make it oem ac compatible. The amount, and direction, of air flow moving from the under cowl panel is completely different than the air flow needed to flow across an oem ac evaporator. I had access to every minor piece or dimension needed and it was still a bitch. I ended up removing the left fender and wheelhouse to make sure I had everything sealed and in place. For awhile I debated pulling the engine and trans to gain room to work.

I also worked with many Jap produced ac units from the 80s-90s. Back when Jap cars were shipped to the states non-ac with a factory ac kit in a box. I can’t imagine trying to make something like that work in a 60s-70s GM product.

Personally, I like firstinsteele’s idea. If I was going to try it again.
ras

 

@Eth727 you have a cool car, but no money, park in the driveway and little experience. Nothing wrong with that, we all start somewhere. Make it safe and secure. This means anti-theft, no leaks, good brakes, steering and tires. Not glamorous, but the glamour cars start there. Keep dreaming of what you hope to have as a 'complete' result. Refine this vision as much as you can, each detail known and harmonious with other details. While continuing to keep it clean, safe and secure, fix each detail as time, money and experience allow. Fix the inevitable problems as they pop up.

 

X2 what @RodStRace just said.

 

X3 what @RodStRace said, and more added- Why don't you create a build thread for this car instead of a new thread for every little thing. That way we can relate to previous questions or issues and maybe have better answers. Just saying.

 

AC ain't exactly traditional for some of us. Don't drive the car unless it's under a 100 degrees out there.

 

Find a car in a junk yard with an under dash unit, and take all of it. Compressor, pulleys condenser and the under dash unit. Or find a 63 Chev in a yard that has factory air and take all of it.

 

Under dash unit

 

Vintage Air makes retro looking under dash units around $500.

Add a compressor/condenser/dryer (i saw a cheap kit on line for $237.


Or you can go uber cheap and get everything for $439.

 

Since the mention of older underway units has come up, does anything need to be done with them to use whatever “R” is out now?

 

That's what I was thinkin' Under dash was the way. And loved by all.

 

No. I was able to buy an ORIGINAL, NOS, Mark 4. Filled the sucker with R134.

Ben

 

I had a Mark4, made a trade with a fella, he got the unit, I got jack.
I’ve two others though (not Mark 4’s) hence my question.
Thanks

 

When we used to retrofit old R12 units in off road equipment, besides a new compressor & dryer; we also replaced the expansion valve with R134 valve.

 

Done the same on two different old 60's underdash units. The "R-12 designed" thermal expansion valve workes just fine on R-134a. Might not be 100% correct, but close enough that it makes nice cool air. The biggest issue with any R-134a use is to have a good condenser. R-134a needs a higher heat removal than the old R-12 did; while an old tube and fin condenser from R-12 will work with R-134a, it will not be best results. R-134a really needs a modern serpentine cross-flow style condenser. The underdash evaporator will work fine with no changes needed.

 

The other things to watch for are the correct seals and the oil. Size the parts, carry out proper procedures and the old underdash should be fine.

 

Those hang under the dash units are 100% traditional 1964.
Used if you could find a sealed unit still in a car you could probably get it to work but 512 for that Vintage Air system ends up being pretty reasonable when you consider compressor, condenser, hoses and what not plus the under dash unit that doesn't interfere with the stock heater and it makes a great crotch cooler for who ever sits in the middle.

The 59 El Camino I bought in 1970 came with one that would flat freeze you out of that cab in Texas summer heat.

 

Sometimes getting all the proper seals to match the lines compressed and air handler (etc) can be a chore to get it to hold a vacuum or hold Freon

 

I remember when K Mart sold under dash units and thinking they were ugly .
Dad wanted one for his PU

 

I got an old sears under dash set up I’m saving.
Been taped up for decades.
The core can be flushed.
There’s generic parts out there that can replace a lot of the old pieces.

 

A long time ago, I swapped complete original OEM air conditioning units into two 1967 to 1972 era GM pickup trucks and needed to poke new holes in the firewall and dashboards. It was a bit of work but doable however, I think your chances of finding a complete 1963 unit would pose a bit of a problem.