68 r/t charger - fitting a/c to a 4-Spd car

[Starsky]

I have a 68 r/t that I'm starting a full nut and bolt restoration on.

Having had a look at the red book to see what options were available I see that if you ordered an r/t with the 4-Spd option, then a/c wasn't an option? Can anyone confirm if this is right?

I want to fit a/c as part of my restoration, but so that it appears completely stock. Has anyone else done this? Or have any tips on best options? I have seen lots you can by, but really want it to look as if it was always there, so any help at all would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jamie. 

[cdr]

correct no 440 4spd with ac, BUT you could get 383 4spd with ac.

[Starsky]

Thank you for that confirmation. Does anyone know why? I'm really wanting to check that there isn't a physical issue (I.e. Something doesn't fit etc).

Also other questions about anyone else/best kit any help at all would be great.

Thanks.

[cdr]

ac will work on a 440, my 512ci has ac

[VegasCharger]

I believe Chrysler was protecting themselves from warranty work done on A/C compressors going bad. So imagine if an R/T Charger with a 4 speed (either a 440 or 426 Hemi both with a Dana) had A/C, all of the higher RPMs going thru that clutch hence more prone to break down over a shorter period of time. I could be wrong but that's what I've heard. Someone else may weigh in and correct me.

So my guess for you personally it can be done as CDR mentioned. If you're going for the stock look it can be done. You would have to switch out your firewall or fab a sectional piece for it. You would have to get a rallye A/C dash frame to accommodate the OEM side vents or you could cut the sections out using your non A/C dash frame. I believe someone in here has some templates. And of course you would have to collect all of the OEM A/C components mainly the A/C heater box, ducts, vents, center dash pad, controls, compressor, lines and the firewall water valve. You can get new components that are stock or stock looking such as condenser, evaporator, drier etc.

It can be done depending how far you want to go with it. If you have patience that's a plus. Lots of folks in here with plenty of knowledge. I myself am taking on rebuilding my factory A/C mainly because most of it was there when I got the car. I was debating going with the aftermarket set-up even though I had the original A/C components in place. But I changed my mind again and decided to go with the original set-up. I'm in the process of rebuilding my A/C box, learning as I go.

Hope that helps.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

  I'm in the process of rebuilding my A/C box, learning as I go.

I'll be yanking my a/c box out shortly. How bad is it to remove & rebuild?

[68pplcharger]

I'm going to throw in my two cents here and say it was more for the performance aspect. Back then nobody wanted the A/C boat anchor slowing down the car. My brother grew up in that era and the first thing removed from the A/C car was the 2million lb compressor. I don't believe it was RPM since a small block will wind much higher than big blocks. Small block may have a suggested redline similar to the big block, but I always revved mine to 7k anyway because they still had plenty of pull when tuned right. The small motors were beat just as hard, if not harder, they just weren't as quick. Most of the time anyway...

[M5Ivan]

  I'm in the process of rebuilding my A/C box, learning as I go.

I'll be yanking my a/c box out shortly. How bad is it to remove & rebuild?

Not that hard to remove the box as you've removed the glove box. the cover above the passenger footwell and center console. It's held in place by the 5 bolts through the firewall and the brace under the dash (plus the connection to the fresh air vent on the passenger side)
I decided not to rebuild mine and bought a Classic Auto Air system which I'm getting ready to install.

[VegasCharger]

I'll be yanking my a/c box out shortly. How bad is it to remove & rebuild?

Well M5Ivan beat me to the point.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

 

[timmycharger]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,87035.0.html

may be of some help

[Mike DC]

         
The AC compressors being blown from high revving was the only reason I've ever heard for the lack of AC in 440 cars.  

I remember a magazine article one time about a car (Cuda?) that actually got its 440/4spd with AC installed from the factory.  Rare occurrence.



As for the SBs being revved just as high or higher - It's a valid point, mechanically speaking.  But I think that's looking at it from a second owner/drag racer point of view.  Most of the cars getting beaten hard by their first owners were the R/Ts.  A typical '68 Charger was already getting past the warranty period by about 1971.  The factory didn't care what anybody modified or broke on it after that.

A 383 with a 4spd + rear slicks was capable of flexing the unibody just like a 440/Hemi could.  But the factory usually didn't bother putting torque boxes on 383/4spds like they did on the 440s & Hemis.  Probably the same reasoning.    

[Starsky]

This is a great help, thank you all for your replies. Sounds like I have quite a few parts to find, but I am patient and will put it on the list.

Thanks again.

Jamie.

[68pplcharger]

         
The AC compressors being blown from high revving was the only reason I've ever heard for the lack of AC in 440 cars.  

I remember a magazine article one time about a car (Cuda?) that actually got its 440/4spd with AC installed from the factory.  Rare occurrence.



As for the SBs being revved just as high or higher - It's a valid point, mechanically speaking.  But I think that's looking at it from a second owner/drag racer point of view.  Most of the cars getting beaten hard by their first owners were the R/Ts.  A typical '68 Charger was already getting past the warranty period by about 1971.  The factory didn't care what anybody modified or broke on it after that.

A 383 with a 4spd + rear slicks was capable of flexing the unibody just like a 440/Hemi could.  But the factory usually didn't bother putting torque boxes on 383/4spds like they did on the 440s & Hemis.  Probably the same reasoning.    

Yeah it's hard to say, I'm just thinking from a realistic mechanical standpoint, first owner standpoint, as well as factory image standpoint. I know even my parents ran there cars to redline when they were new getting around trucks or someone driving ten under the speed limit. Cleaning the car out, as they would say, while hammering on the gas. I know the performance crowd looked at A/C as a grandpas car and I'm sure Ma Mopar didn't want that image for the performance package. Especially as competitive as the performance image was in the sixties. I'm just speculating, but I think that was a cover from Ma Mopar for the real reason... 

The torque box makes sense, only in the performance package, since they were targeting racers/performance enthusiast knowing they would push the car to it's limits. RPM for no A/C explanation is a weak one at best. No offense to you Mike DC, if that is the explanation Ma Mopar gave for no A/C I say BS to there reason.

[tan top]

IMO  no offence meant  to anyone   ,  any performance minded buyer , wanting a 440 or a HEMI  with a manual trans   , think the last thing on their mind  , they would want weight adding power robbing air conditioning  ... think anyone ordering a 383 with a manual trans  would feel the same  , that's why I find it odd  there are known 383 four speed  chargers road runners superbees etc  with AC

[6bblgt]

just like a heater - parts of the country need A/C more than others

everything from a 440 automatic with A/C will fit the 440 4-speed drivetrain/engine compartment

Chrysler Corp. didn't want the additional warranty hassle issues for the few who would have to have it that way (it's all about torque & RPM)

no A/C with 3.91s or 4.10s for the same reason (any engine/any transmission)

[Dans 68]

IMO  no offence meant  to anyone   ,  any performance minded buyer , wanting a 440 or a HEMI  with a manual trans   , think the last thing on their mind  , they would want weight adding power robbing air conditioning  ... think anyone ordering a 383 with a manual trans  would feel the same  , that's why I find it odd  there are known 383 four speed  chargers road runners superbees etc  with AC

The reason I picked up my latest '68 383 4-bbl 4-spd project Charger was because of the factory A/C. Rare and the cool factor. And comfort on those hot august nights. 

Dan

[tan top]

IMO  no offence meant  to anyone   ,  any performance minded buyer , wanting a 440 or a HEMI  with a manual trans   , think the last thing on their mind  , they would want weight adding power robbing air conditioning  ... think anyone ordering a 383 with a manual trans  would feel the same  , that's why I find it odd  there are known 383 four speed  chargers road runners superbees etc  with AC

The reason I picked up my latest '68 383 4-bbl 4-spd project Charger was because of the factory A/C. Rare and the cool factor. And comfort on those hot august nights. 

Dan

  ,

funny you mentioned your latest  383 four speed charger , was thinking about that , it had A/C , when I was typing my above post ,    we all know how rare a 68  four speed 383 charger is  ...then factor in the option A/C    ,