Author Topic: Vintage Air Gen IV ?  (Read 2954 times)

Offline AMXguy

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Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« on: July 06, 2014 - 01:41:35 PM »
I'm thinking of putting an  A/C  kit on my '70   R/T SE  which was an original 383 air car.  now it's a 440 six pack with all the factory air removed under the hood.

I see they now have a kit to work on factory A/C cars, anyone have any experience with it? and what about the six pack issues?   if it's a clean good working system I want it but if it's mickey mouse I'll pass.
1970 R/T SE Challenger
 1970 Superbee
 1969 S code Mach 1
 1967  GTO




Offline ragtopdodge

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2014 - 02:36:53 PM »
If you have a factory AC car, why not just use the OEM evaporator?  They work good. 

Don't have to use the OEM ugly compressor.  Get a Sanden one.

 Bouchillonperformance even makes brackets to "hide" the compressor down low.
'70 318-auto Chally 'vert
'71 383-auto 'Cuda 'vert (sold)
06 300c SRT8
04 2500 QCLB 4x4 HO

Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2014 - 03:48:19 PM »
My car is also factory air, but it's missing all the stuff in the engine compartment. I just bought a Vintage Air kit for it. I don't have the time to install it yet, but it looks very nicely made and instructions seems good. Definitely not Mickey Mouse. I have it in a box, if you need pictures of the parts I can post it.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline AMXguy

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2014 - 04:26:16 PM »
  Do you know if the compressor mounts on top or under the alternator?   I'm not sure about the six pack air cleaner if it's on top.

Do you know if it used the existing holes in the firewall or if you have to knock new ones in?  that was an issue with the old set up for cars with factory air. I hope that's part of what the new kit fixes.
1970 R/T SE Challenger
 1970 Superbee
 1969 S code Mach 1
 1967  GTO

Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2014 - 04:47:00 PM »
I think it uses the excisting holes in the firewall, not sure about the compressor but I can check for you tomorrow.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline AMXguy

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2014 - 06:49:44 PM »
Thanks, I tried to get these answers from Vintage Air but the guy I talked to followed everything with " I think ".
1970 R/T SE Challenger
 1970 Superbee
 1969 S code Mach 1
 1967  GTO

Offline anlauto

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2014 - 06:55:59 PM »
I would be curious too....I have a potential customer wanting this set-up in his Cuda...
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
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Offline jordan

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2014 - 12:04:10 AM »
I just put a vintage air on my 440 six bbl with the sander compressor.  I ordered from a Vintage Air distributor for my 6 bbl.  I received the kit, but I couldn't ever get the lines to fit on the rear discharge compressor.  So after a lot of phone calls with vintage, I had to send in my compressor for a side discharge compressor.  The rear discharge won't fit the lines.  It has just a bit of interference with the intake manifold, just enough to not fit. 
You do have to drill a couple of small bolt holes in the firewall to mount the box in the interior.  A plastic plate covers the existing holes.  A new cover is included to cover the area where the blower motor used to live, but now is the in and out for the heat and A/C lines.  The factory paint on the cover is crap.  Plan on painting it.  I reshaped the cover to fit better, and painted it body color so it would blend in the engine compartment better.  The rest of the installation went according to the instructions. You may have to drill some holes for the condenser bracket to fit the radiator opening.   The duct hoses barely fit under the dash and I would recommend securing the hose to the duct so they don't fall off.  The lines fit nicely and are not obtrusive.  I have not gotten my car running yet, but I am close, so I cannot say how it works.  I may paint the compressor black before I charge the system to make it appear sort of stockish looking.  The compressor does fit under the stock air cleaner base with out modification, but with very little clearance.  This is my first experience with Vintage or any heat/AC system in a car.  So I am no expert.  Just what I learned.  Good luck with yours. 
"Don't brake until you see God!"

Offline ragtopdodge

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2014 - 12:38:56 AM »
I still can't comprehend why you'd do this on a factory air car.  Not only will it look dorky on the firewall, it'd look totally aftermarket under the passenger's feet!

You already got the evaporator, controls, etc.  Just restore it and bolt on a Sanden compressor in place of the old beast.








Sure, the above pictures are of a small block, but like I said, bouchillon makes 'em for big/hemi blocks too:



Even cooler, hidden:

« Last Edit: July 07, 2014 - 12:47:16 AM by ragtopchally »
'70 318-auto Chally 'vert
'71 383-auto 'Cuda 'vert (sold)
06 300c SRT8
04 2500 QCLB 4x4 HO

Offline anlauto

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2014 - 12:08:03 PM »
The bottom picture on the Hemi is what I would want...Who's set-up is that ? Bouchillon ?
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com

Offline ragtopdodge

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2014 - 03:53:25 PM »
The bottom picture on the Hemi is what I would want...Who's set-up is that ? Bouchillon ?

Yup.  Requires electric fuel pump.  no big whoops.
'70 318-auto Chally 'vert
'71 383-auto 'Cuda 'vert (sold)
06 300c SRT8
04 2500 QCLB 4x4 HO

Offline anlauto

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2014 - 03:54:14 PM »
Yup.  Requires electric fuel pump.  no big whoops.

Most likely be running fuel injection anyways :2thumbs:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com

Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2014 - 04:56:58 PM »
AMXGuy, you got some good info from Jordan there, do you still need me to check my parts and manual?
/Ken
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline jordan

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2014 - 10:23:31 PM »
This is how mine turned out so far.  I think my compressor lines are just layer in there for fit purposes before I had them crimped and screwed into place.  You should get a good idea.  I don't know why you would go with stock.  Vacuum lines under the dash are not all that reliable, especially after forty years.  Plus it is the compressor that is the big difference in look anyway.  The guys at Buchellion are very good at getting you what you need.  If I had to do a "do over", I probably would have done the conversion through Buchellion.  But, since I have done it all the vintage way, I do like the piece of mind knowing everything is new and new technology. 

Here are some pictures. 
"Don't brake until you see God!"

Offline AMXguy

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Re: Vintage Air Gen IV ?
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2014 - 06:39:53 PM »
Ken,  thanks but I think I know what's up now.

I would rather go back to original but I'm miissing some of the stuff and what I have might be junk after beeing off the car for 30 years.  I'm not real good with A/C systems anyway so I don't want a challenge.

Are you saying Buchillion makes a whole kit or just parts? 
1970 R/T SE Challenger
 1970 Superbee
 1969 S code Mach 1
 1967  GTO