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By texasmark1 - 10 Years Ago
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Daniel bought an ebay-find 1963-64 under dash unit for his Monterey. Also have the condenser and dryer units.
has anyone ever resurrected an item like this? if so, can it be done successfully?
He' stuck on staying as authentic as possible and being in Houston for the summer months and Abilene for the school year, he really could use a working A/C.
The fan motor works fine in the under dash component... I know the dryer will have to be replaced or recharged and he still needs a compressor and mounting bracket...
just wondering if our attempts at returning this to working condition are worth it.if this can be successfully done, I may try to do the same for my 57 Fairlane, after all, I'm in Houston year 'round!
thanks,Mark
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By Oldmics - 10 Years Ago
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I have a buddy who did revive a Mercury A.C. unit in his 58.
Spent a boatload of money only to get 1958 performance out of the unit.
Suggest looking at the Vintage A.C. companys for a truly efficient device.
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By miker - 10 Years Ago
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While I'm inclined to agree with oldmics, you might try these guys. I've got a perfect fit from them in my bird. One thing about OEM systems is they use either outside or re circ air. Most after markets are recirc only.
http://www.classicautoair.com
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By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
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I think it's Vintage Air that now makes an under dash unit that looks a lot the old underdash units. May pay in the long run to get one of these.
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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I have an older underdash unit but its setup with a modern compressor. Will this combination work? Chuck
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By texasmark1 - 10 Years Ago
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Moon, is your system available for sale?
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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Well I hadn't really thought about it. I have a complete, as far as I know, setup including a Sandeen type compressor. I also bought one of the alternator/compressor cast aluminum brackets. I would consider reasonable offers. I don't think I'll be able to use it with the blower setup. Chuck
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By texasmark1 - 10 Years Ago
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interested...
got a figure in mind?
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By glrbird - 10 Years Ago
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Something to think about
Older systems used and expansion valve and the newer units use orface valves. The condencer on a R 12 system wont work as well as a condencer for 134. Different size tubes. I am sure it could be made to work, but how efficent will it exchange heat is another question.
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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Can I use a modern condenser with the Sandeen compressor and the old underdash unit?
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By glrbird - 10 Years Ago
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The compressor doesn't know what condenser you are using, it just compresses. The different condenser is for the 134 refridgerant so it exchanges heat more effeciently. 134 can be used in a R 12 system but it will not work very well. You need to research the under dash unit to see how it controlls the system. You need someone older than me for that, Try contacting a company that sells an under dash system, may be they will tell you how it works.
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By texasmark1 - 10 Years Ago
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thanks for the encouraging remarks...my son has in fact taught himself how AC basically works from reading an old service book belonging to his grandfather.
we'll keep your suggestions in mind when he has enough dough to move forward on this project!
Mark |
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By Frankenstein57 - 10 Years Ago
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I used a underdash unit from a 60's mustang or fairlane, put a sanden compressor and vintage air condenser on, it works well. It would be better with the correct metering device for the 134 a, but I'm no expert on that. I also switched a 87 t bird over to 134a, put the correct oil in the system, its been fine for 6+ years. I could deliver ice cream in that car.
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By lovefordgalaxie - 10 Years Ago
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I have a dealer installed under dash A/C on my Galaxie. The entire system is from 1974, same year as the car, and it works really well.
I think that the key is not making a "salad" of parts, and use the most complete system you can find.
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By junkyardjeff - 10 Years Ago
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Years ago I had a 53 Olds and found a sears under dash a/c in a 62 Olds in a junkyard that had been sitting for over 20 years,all i did was install it in the 53 and it worked great and was still working when I sold the car. I wish I would have kept it since I want air in my 66 F250.
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By Chuck - 10 Years Ago
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Okay. This is really very straightforward.
An air conditioning system consists of an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, an expansion valve and a dryer. Older systems ran R-12, which was more efficient (read smaller evaporators and condensers.) Modern systems run R-134a, which is less harmful to the ozone layer. They're every bit as effective as an R-12 system; they simply need a larger condenser (that thingie in front of the radiator).
If you want the look of a vintage system, run the head unit - the piece inside the interior. The most important differences between an R-12 and an R-134a system are the compressor (different elastomers for the seals) and the condenser (it has to be larger to compensate for the reduced efficiency of the refrigerant). These are all common components. The compressor mentioned earlier is a Sanden unit - not a Sandeen. It's a standard swash plate design adapted to many installations; its modularity is what makes it an attractive alternate for vintage air applications.
None of this is cheap. To have a functional A/C system in an older car is going to cost you five figures - any way you cut it. There are no shortcuts, as there has to be a compressor and condenser change to make it happen. If you can find someone with a stash of R-12 (and yes, it does exist) the bill will still be within 80% of the cost of converting to R134a. Irrespective of what path you take, you're still north of a grand to get an A/C system going.
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By texasmark1 - 10 Years Ago
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ouch!
well, he's in Abilene, TX for the time being and the temp there today is near freezing so I guess he can wait on the A/C for a while!
Mark
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