Author Topic: Air conditioning  (Read 5033 times)

Offline MEH

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Air conditioning
« on: November 15, 2015 - 02:58:12 PM »
Hello All,

  Looking for opinions. What system is better Classic Air or Vintage Air? The pro's and con's!

Thanks!!!!




Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2015 - 03:19:32 PM »
Just finished putting a Vintage Air system on a '70 Challenger big block (with original A/C equipment under the dash).  The stuff is very nice and works very well, but do not assume that their dimensions are accurate for drilling holes and the like.  You'll have to test fit everything.  I did the under-dash part when the dash and seats were out, so it was more comfortable and easier to see what I was doing.
We had the A/C style blower hole in the firewall that they provide a block-off plate for.  The plate also has holes for the four tubes to go through.  For example, if you were to bolt the plate in using their placement, two of the tubes would interfere with the edge of the firewall hole.  Also, the sheet metal brackets that hold the heater box on needed tweaking to make the box sit square (then the recommended spacing for their hole locations are off). Long story short: it's not plug-n-play. 
The tubing in the engine compartment is routed nicely (except some don't like the tubes going OVER the radiator support by the washer bottle.  They provide another alternator support bracket to use, but we used the original.  The hoses to and from the compressor need to be brought to a hose company and have the ends crimped on in the correct directions.
If you go with Vintage and you have a big block car, I'll be glad to take pictures and offer real-world advice on the install.

Offline anlauto

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2015 - 03:23:31 PM »
I've gone ahead and welded up all the existing holes in my firewall with plans to install a vintage air system. Will I be able to just drill the basic holes wherever I need them ? Nothing else protrudes out the firewall with that system, does it ?
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Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2015 - 04:30:25 PM »
I've gone ahead and welded up all the existing holes in my firewall with plans to install a vintage air system. Will I be able to just drill the basic holes wherever I need them ? Nothing else protrudes out the firewall with that system, does it ?


I thought about doing the same thing with mine.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2015 - 04:53:44 PM »
I've gone ahead and welded up all the existing holes in my firewall with plans to install a vintage air system. Will I be able to just drill the basic holes wherever I need them ? Nothing else protrudes out the firewall with that system, does it ?

                  No just the hose fittings. But since you seem to be doing a custom job you can also clean things up and run your hoses inside the fender. Bulkhead on the far right, make up your own hoses if you buy one of these   http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mastercool-71550-A-C-Hose-Crimper-Tool-Kit-/191672862477?hash=item2ca097c70d:i:191672862477&item=191672862477&vxp=mtr   That way you can buy just the evaporator kit, some bulkheads, fittings and hose and do a really cool custom job. We even put the heater shut off valve inside so nothing is under hood. The crimper will pay for itself many times over.    :rebel:

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2015 - 05:07:26 PM »
   A few pics.   

Offline shawge

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2015 - 05:29:18 PM »
Are there holes for the condenser drain and the control for the heater valve?
- Jerry

Offline Cudakiller70

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2015 - 05:54:44 PM »
Thanks guys this is good stuff to know and I like that kit to be able to do my own routing is worth it for sure!  :thumbsup:
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Offline roadman5312

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2015 - 06:06:49 PM »
Are there holes for the condenser drain and the control for the heater valve?
                    If your working on an original A/C car the drain hole for the evaporator is the same as factory. If not once you mount the evap case its easy to see where to put the drain hole.  The heater control valve is electronic plug and play so you can mount it just about anywhere.  :2thumbs:                 :rebel:

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2015 - 06:18:02 PM »
            Picture of heater control valve.    I'm just learning how to modify pictures with circles and stuff.    :smilielol:         

Offline shawge

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2015 - 06:42:09 PM »
That electronic valve is slick.  Thanks for the pics :thumbsup:
- Jerry

Offline FY1Cuda

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2015 - 08:48:36 PM »
One more thing to consider: you might have to get another water pump pulley (from Bouchillon) so the belts line up.

A picture of the standard install with a couple of tweaks.  The block-off plate (with the 4 holes) comes matte black and is intended to be on  the engine compartment side. I painted it and put it inside. Also, VA provides a cheap plastic block-off for the hole for the two original A/C lines through the firewall.  As you've read, you could weld it shut.  I already had the firewall painted so I just made a sheet metal plate for the inside.

Offline anlauto

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2015 - 09:54:20 PM »
I pretty much have a blank slate....kinda like the idea out in the wheel well, especially with a 572 Hemi going in the car :clueless:
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Offline YellowThumper

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2015 - 05:17:49 PM »
The bulkhead I like and intend on using in the fender well has all 4 lines in a row instead of the square cluster. Saw a post a few years back that way on an A body. Thought it was clean.

Mike
Removing the warning labels one at a time.
Nature will take care of the rest.

Offline roadman5312

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Re: Air conditioning
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2015 - 05:23:50 PM »
I pretty much have a blank slate....kinda like the idea out in the wheel well, especially with a 572 Hemi going in the car :clueless:

Open the drain hole back up, your going to need it.         :rebel: