A/C UPGRADE

[Doug The Dog]

I'm finally getting to that part of my resto, where I can actually see me driving it in the near future! Woo Fricken Hoo!!!!! I started working on the A/C over the weekend and realized my compressor and condenser are both toast. I'm looking at installing Classic Auto Air's engine compartment upgrade kit, which includes the compressor (radial style), condenser, filter drier, hoses and expansion valve. I will also be changing over to R134. Has anybody else here installed one of these kits? What is your opinion? What installation problems can I expect?

Thanks,

-Travis

 

[jbojo]

Travis,

I actually used them to buy all the replacement parts for the vents pieces that were broken and needing replacement. I also bought the all the other pieces except for the compressor which came with my serpentine setup. Worked with Ron Mineo out of the Florida store and he was great to deal with. They are going to custom make me all the lines once I have everything installed since my compressor will sit where the alternator was. Basically I had to move all connection to the passenger side of the engine bay.

-john

BTW, did you change out the evaporator? When I looked at your build thread the other day I didn't see AC connections so I thought your car didn't have that.

 

[Doug The Dog]

John:

I replaced the evaporator while I was rebuilding the dash. I think I bought the same one you have from Classic Auto Air. My original intention was to reuse my old compressor and convert to R134. That's not going to happen, so that's why I'm thinking about the radial style upgrade.

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi Travis,

Last year i bought from Classic Air America, a complete air system for my '73 convertible, and had it installed professionally by air specialists.My vert never had factory air installed, yet the transition to classic Air was very smooth.

The company profile and reputation seemed pretty good, so i pulled the trigger and did the deal. So far everything stated by the company holds true. My aircon man praised the system in many ways as well.

The only 2 things i would say to you is firstly, the system when running on full cold, does not detract from the motor power hardly at all,which is a bonus i think, and second,on the down side, i was disappointed to discover that the force of air from the system's vents, in every operating mode,was pretty average, but i was told that's all i could expect from this brand and system.

Maybe iv'e gotten used to modern day aircon systems that kisk arse in that department, i don't know. Anyway, hope all that helps.

Greg.