Aftermarket air conditioning installation

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Anyone done one on a Big block B-body ?  What is the PIA. factor and rough cost ?

[twodko]

I have installed a Vintage Air AC system in a 69 Chevelle w/383 stroker. It was a system that used the OEM dash board controls. Everything installed pretty easily except the heater/AC box itself. It was a bit hard to position with the OEM cables attached to it but that's the way is was controlled. The electrical connection was simple.
My biggest complaint was how difficult the OEM controls were after install and when using the AC it was either full cold or not.

As a side note i used the OEM radiator (cored & cleaned), fan shroud and added a flex fan. This did not provide enough engine cooling. I ended up pulling the shroud/fan and installed an electric "sucker" fan system. Better engine cooling but drained the batt down quickly and still wasn't right.

I tell you all this because if I were to install an AC system in my 69 Charger 440 i would look at what Classic Air offers as compared to Vintage Air, how/what controls are used and definitely go with a bigger high capacity aluminum radiator. if you live in a very warm area the addition of an electric fan system might be a good idea as well.

A lot of guys here have done such an install with great results. I expect their comments forthcoming most riki tik. Good Luck

Tom

[Highbanked Hauler]

 mine didn't have ac so it would be a start from scratch deal. I  already put in an aluminum radiator but I can see the need for an electric fan which would probably need a higher output alternator.

[A383Wing]

just curious as to what "B" body you are thinking of installing this system into? Do you want an underdash hanging unit or complete heat-AC unit all together?

[bill440rt]

I installed one from Classic Auto Air in my '69.
The thread on my car is here: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,64641.0.html
There are links in that thread that show the installation.

My car originally did not have A/C, but they offer kits as well for cars that originally had A/C.
My only deviation from their kit is that I bought a serpentine setup which came with the compressor, but it was the same unit supplied by CAA. I thought the installation was VERY simple and straightforward. Instructions were very easy. I had the dash completely out at the time, which made also things much easier. However, once the old heater box is out there's enough room to get the job done. Their replacement box is much smaller.
I also ditched their underhood vent setup & installed stock vents and the dash pad. I modified original stock vents to work.

The only glitches in the system I ran into is dialing in a cam switch that controls dash & defroster venting. That needed to be gone over a few times to get it timed just right. Another is the electronic servo that actuates the flapper door in the heater box. Mine failed, however CAA sent me a replacement free of charge.
The A/C blows ice cold. I also have an aluminum rad with dual electric fans, no overheating with the A/C on at all.

[1974dodgecharger]

Bill,

The dual electric fans are they push or pull configured?  Would a mechanical fan with dual push be ok with a car with air?

[bill440rt]

My fans are pullers, sitting behind the rad on the engine side.

Does your car overheat now with two fan setups?? If it does it sounds like there might be a problem elsewhere.
If not I don't think there would be a problem. The Sanden compressors have much less drag then the original types. If you are running a 22" rad, I might suggest upgrading to a 26" unit.
If you have a pusher fan, you'd also have to figure out clearance up front because some real estate will now be taken up by the condenser. 

[1974dodgecharger]

Bill,

No it does not but for future reference i just wanted to know when i do upgrade to air in my car. 

I have a mechanical fan right now with no shroud she runs 185 here in Phoenix heat and when im stopped at a light she gets up to 190

[Highbanked Hauler]

just curious as to what "B" body you are thinking of installing this system into? Do you want an underdash hanging unit or complete heat-AC unit all together?

  either my 500 or the 68 when it is further along. The heat and humidity isn't as much fun as it used to be.  Probably a complete unit together ..

[twodko]

If you're going to take the plunge, do an entire system. 

[ACUDANUT]

If your only, really needing A/C one month out of the year, your wasting your money. A/C systems need to be used frequently to maintain their charge ect.

[A383Wing]

just curious as to what "B" body you are thinking of installing this system into? Do you want an underdash hanging unit or complete heat-AC unit all together?

  either my 500 or the 68 when it is further along. The heat and humidity isn't as much fun as it used to be.  Probably a complete unit together ..

I agree about the heat thing..I used to be able to take 100 degree days all the time...now that I'm getting close to the wrong side of 60 years old....I can't take much above 80 anymore....

I was thinking of a small under dash unit for the Daytona....just in case we ever decide to do the cross-country trip again...

Bryan

[twodko]

Bryan,

Tell me about the "small under dash units" please.......maybe with a link. I'm not aware of such an animal. That would suit my "wrong side 'o sixty" situation too.

Tom

[A383Wing]

it's an "add on" unit that bolted under the dash...see pic of my 66 Dart below....it was made by "ARA"....this unit would not fit in a car with a console....but I have seen thinner units that would in GM trucks

Uses a "York" style Ford compressor, but any compressor would work.

The evaporator, blower motor, and all controls are in this one housing. Only the 2 AC hoses go through the firewall, and a drain tube through the floor for condensation removal

Bryan

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Bryan, I have seen dash units but never dealt with one, how are they  as far as  being efficient ? Are they close to a factory unit ?  The rad. I have won't take a shroud so I plan on needing electric fans.  They would have to have specific compressor mounting brackets and hoses for each car also.

[Highbanked Hauler]

If your only, really needing A/C one month out of the year, your wasting your money. A/C systems need to be used frequently to maintain their charge ect.

     I'm in North Carolina and can use AC from  April till Oct. to keep the wife happy

[A383Wing]

I had that AC setup pictured above in our 68 'Cuda and then in the 66 Dart....it worked so well it blew ice chunks out the AC vents....and the "York" style compressor was very quiet...you could hardly feel the compressor kick in when it turned on going down the road.

I think they are better than a factory unit....small yet very efficient. I have really been toying with the idea of trying to find something like this for the Daytona....

[Highbanked Hauler]

DO they still make that type under dash unit ? New sleds have AC so I thought that type would be obsolete

[A383Wing]

I don't think so...at least not that I have found.....

these under dash units were what you would have found on a car had you not got "factory" AC and later wanted it, and this was what was called "dealer installed AC"

[twodko]

I plan on searching this later today. I hope someone still makes these units because for folks like me who prefer a simpler AC solution this would be ideal. Seems to me there would be a robust market for these for just that reason.  Report forthcoming.

[bill440rt]

I see old underdash setups pop up from time to time on eBay, might be worth a shot.

But the CAA installation was so simple I'm considering putting one in my '68. Someday... 

[Highbanked Hauler]

I plan on searching this later today. I hope someone still makes these units because for folks like me who prefer a simpler AC solution this would be ideal. Seems to me there would be a robust market for these for just that reason.  Report forthcoming.

  Somebody in the (parts for sale) section has one..

[A383Wing]

one more tidbit of info, these under dash units cool better in my opinion because there is no heater core to add any heat to the air coming out of the vents.

Even when the water or air flow is shut off with a factory AC heater system, you will still get some residual heat from the box blowing out the vents when AC is turned on

[A383Wing]

here is a quick ebay search for "add on air" from the search bar....you can see a few under dash units here for under $100

http://www.ebay.com/sch/eBay-Motors-/6000/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=add+on+air&=&LH_ItemCondition=3

[Highbanked Hauler]

here is a quick ebay search for "add on air" from the search bar....you can see a few under dash units here for under $100

http://www.ebay.com/sch/eBay-Motors-/6000/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=add+on+air&=&LH_ItemCondition=3

   Where I am not up on AC its all the under hood stuff that would concern me. Pulleys,brackets, belts, compressor and lines plus whatever electrical  and switches you'd need.. to run it ??

[A383Wing]

yes..all the under hood stuff will be needed as well...but if you could find the original stuff, that would work....

in the search above, there is a complete kit there for $500...you would have to figure out mounting bracket for compressor. All switches are in the under dash unit

here is another search for evaporator units...just to show you what's out there

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p4634.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC1.A0.Xunderdash+ac&_nkw=under+dash+ac&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[twodko]

Thanks for posting those links. Wow.

[shart70rt]

Just starting installing mine in a 70 Charger RT. The AC/heater box is installed under the dash. Template they supplied for cutting holes was not very close and I had to expand the holes, I should have checked that before I cut. Will have to clean that up with seam sealer and use touch up paint when complete. I will also make an extra bracket for support of the tail end of the unit. don't like that it bounces a bit.

I will take some pictures in the next few days. Finally putting the car back together, but only get 5 or 6 hours a week.

Have had the kit for 6 or 7 years, but it has just been sitting.

Like a previous poster, bought mine without the compressor. Installed the serpentine system from Billet Specialties, and they supplied high output alternator, power steering pump, and Sanden AC compressor. That system is absolutely gorgeous. I will post a picture of it also.

Will be installing relays for all high pull accessories, and doing the recommended wiring changes before starting up.

Bought a Be Cool modular system to go in it also, so should cool. All this stuff was bought over the last 8 years. Will need it to cool the Stroker on the Texas Gulf.Coast.

Stephen

Stephen