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By petew - 9 Years Ago
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Thinking about putting an under dash a/c unit in my 56 Merc. Was hoping that someone here could tell me which company ,Vintage Air or Classic Auto Air was more Y block friendly. Or who in general makes the best performing a/c between the two of them.
Any input on the subject greatly appreciated.
Pete
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By miker - 9 Years Ago
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I've got a Classic Auto Air direct fit in my 55 bird, and a Vintage Air in my OT 67 Camaro. The Vintage Air is a superior unit. But, they make a specific unit, and it uses the factory a/c outlets-lower dash on the sides and center up high. The heater hose shut off valve in the Vintage unit works, and the one in the Classic is marginal. All told, I'd probably do the same again in both cars.
If I was doing a full size car, I'd definitely do an under dash like you're talking about. I miss the fresh air intake on the heat side. The heat valve is less of a problem, since you won't be running the fan on the existing heater when the a/c is on.
If Vintage Air offers an under dash unit in a style you like, that's the way I'd go. There's mixed reviews on Classic, but everyone I know with a Vintage unit loves them.
With the A/C on high, headlights on, electric condenser fan, etc. you'll need to watch the voltage, it can get marginal with some charging systems, especially at idle. I think they all buy out the y-block mounts, and most of them offer an alternator conversion as part of it. The mount on the bird loops the belt around the alternator and then the compressor. I was worried it might slip, but that hasn't been a problem. I can't help with any cooling problems you might get into, I don't know enough about the pass car fan/radiator options or clearances. Most factory a/c systems included at least bigger fans for a reason.
We just had a 90 degree day here in Seattle, and the bird makes it ok stopped in traffic. But it took some changes to really work over 80 or so, stopped. Birds are more of a cooling problem, so a car might be fine.
They do make the car much more comfortable, but don't expect any of these units to work like a modern daily driver with vents all over and good insulation and weather sealing. I've got a foil/thermal mat on the floor, which really helped, pretty decent weatherstripping (all new on both tops), and sealed everything up as good as I could. But with the top on, cooling on, I can still feel heat thru the shifter boot. That's next.
My street rodder friends who planned it from scratch also insulated the roof before they put the headliner in.
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By petew - 9 Years Ago
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Thanks Miker, Just the kind of info I was looking for.
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By miker - 9 Years Ago
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Petew, I sent a PM.
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By petew - 9 Years Ago
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Got it ,thanks.
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By DryLakesRacer - 9 Years Ago
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I have two reminders with added AC units. Under dash is only circulated inside air like Max AC in modern ac units. And what's important to me is, where and how the compressor mounts on the engine. I personally dont like them mounted on top. I also agree with miker about having the original air vents, both driver and passenger still usable with the under dash units. Good luck and when you get it installed please show us some photos.
thanks
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