why is hard to find stuff to AC cars

[Nacho-RT74]

Ok, I have been allways keep opened eyes about everything, maybe not to buy now, but later and I have noticed that AC engine stuff are really hard to find, like alt brackets and spacers...

Why is that if mostly of cars ( untouched ) I have seen on ebay and similar websites specially 3rd gens, are AC equipped ? That it means AC cars are not rare to don't have parts available to them

[Old Moparz]

I can think of a few reasons that it's hard to locate. First one being that a lot of performance minded people see A/C as one way to decrease the horse power. With that being said, less HP cars were ordered new with A/C years ago because nobody wanted anything that robbed you of any power. It was also an expensive option & never usually part of the base model car, so a lot of people would not pay for it.

Another reason is that when the A/C broke, it was expensive to fix & usually would cost the equivalent of the car's own value. (I've been guilty of that one myself.) When the engine needed repair & the A/C didn't work, it was easier & cheaper to toss the compressor & everything else, than to go through the trouble of reinstalling it. That's exactly what a previous owner did to one of my cars.

I also believe that A/C wasn't a way of life like it is now. Some people, including myself, would never consider buying a new car without it. It's different with the older cars since  most of them aren't daily drivers. Of all my cars, the Road Runner is the only one that doesn't have A/C. It's the only one I own that was considered an actual performance model. If it's in the 90's & humid, you won't see me driving it, I'd take the Scamp that has the 318 with the A/C that day.

So if the parts were rare & then tossed in the trash regularly, I would think that these are some of the reasons the parts are tough to find presently.

As for the 3rd Gen cars, I'd guess that A/C was becoming more popular & more available as the performance was being decreased due to insurance & regulations. There's also the geographical part, where you may see more cars in the northern areas without it than where it's hotter longer in the year. I have a friend who ordered a Bronco new without A/C in New Jersey. To him it was no big deal, but when he moved to Arizona, he couldn't give the car away.

[694spdRT]

I am curious if any of the later model big block cars had the same setups like the Cordaba's? Regarding lines, compressors, etc.

[twilt]

A lot of the used stuff gets thrown out because there isnt enough $$ potential to bother selling it. While junkyarding, I have in the past picked up misc. 3rd gen ac parts. It really wasn`t worth my time to do so.

[Nacho-RT74]

Ok if you find some spacer sleeves to alternator to BB A/C set up and the long bolt... throwing again, but at my box. 

[Nacho-RT74]

I am curious if any of the later model big block cars had the same setups like the Cordaba's? Regarding lines, compressors, etc.

It could be, if not exactly the same, maybe will fit the same, since AS FAR I KNOW ( never have seen Cordobas/Chargers, weren't assemblied here ) inner fender, farme rails, K members are the same. I think also firewall and cowl. I only could compare with 75/76 Coronets and 77/78 Monacos since are also B bodies and they were assemblied here.

[chargerkid]

Nacho,

There are several places that you can get those parts from.  There is a place that is close to me that reconditions the pumps, etc.  Alot of the 73/74 SE had a/c.  Just remember the lines and placement are different for big block and small block.  Shoot me a pic of what you are looking for.  I am sure I have it.

Chargerkid

[JimShine]

A lot of the used stuff gets thrown out because there isnt enough $$ potential to bother selling it. While junkyarding, I have in the past picked up misc. 3rd gen ac parts. It really wasn`t worth my time to do so.

I think you are on the money there. I pulled all the AC stuff from a Fury to put the AC back in my Coronet. Much of that stuff is heavy and I know if I were to attempt to sell some of those components, it would cost more to ship than the money you would get for the parts themselves.

[Nacho-RT74]

Not really Rob... just was wondering why does hapen that... My A/C works perfect, I have a spare compressor and lines can be rebuilt down here if I need. Condenser was already rebuilt because had a leak where dryer conects ( on the "Y" attached to condenser ) O rings are easy replacement parts to find ( to any gas setup ) and Compressor seals are the same than the universal York compressor. Only would like to find a dryer rebuilt shop down here to make the right change of desicant to the Gas I use ( whatever gas I use ) I'm right now on 134 using the stock and untouched 12 dryer, but I have heard about 134 will be substitute for another one... whatever, that's another story I touched on anothee thread earlier.

I just was keeping eyes openes for alt sleeves spacers to A/C set up to BB and the top stock bolt ( using a laters 70s Mopar alt ). Not an urgent stuff, jut to get an original set up... right now I have a Lug nut as spacer between the head bracket and alt rear ear.

The other A/C "problem" I'm fighting is the overheating on lever fan speed... is able to melt the plastic plug and REALLY HEATS the lever in front.. but I have learnt is a bad design fault from MaMopar with very small points on backelite back plate inside the switch where the prongs are attached that aren't able to drive all the power/amperes. Only position where there is not overheat is on low speed since current flows directly to resistor spliced from terminal on back of switch and not throught inside points on switch.