Air Conditioning & Heating Help

[Fredensborg]

It was a bit chilly here in Minnesota while driving Sleipnir home from work this morning. My car needs a weather strip kit bad, and leaks air like a sieve. I tried to use my heater to warm up a bit, but to no avail…I know basically nothing about the climate control systems in these cars (or any car for that matter) and I am wondering if my lack of heat is due to the fact that my A/C stuff was foolishly butchered out of the Mustang by yours truly many years ago.

The summers in Minnesota are quick and hot, and the shoulder seasons can be hot, cold,wet, and dry and anything in between. Basically, this problem is quickly moving towards one of my front burners as perfect weather days are few and far between here in the northern hinterlands.

As far as I remember, my A/C and heater worked fine years ago before I tore the AC equipment out…is it as simple as buying a new compressor and hooking it up? Or am I in for a quasi-major pain in the a**? Here are a couple of pictures of what remains of my climate control system…any tips fellas?

 

[RIBS]

Consider for about $2000 a Classic Auto Air system. It will bolt in place of old components and be current technology…vs rebuilding/replacing old style parts…

 

[Hemikiller]

You don't need the compressor to get heat.

The A/C systems in these cars are driven through vacuum, so you need to have the system hooked up to that to function, otherwise all you'll have is defrost mode. The vacuum hoses exit the firewall directly behind the engine. The smaller hose goes to the water control valve, shown in your second pic. The larger hose to the vacuum reservoir on the passenger side fender apron. That reservoir must also be hooked up to manifold vacuum.

Volume 3, section 36-42 of the 73 Ford Shop manual has the complete system vacuum and functionality diagrams.

 

[Doug's 73 Mach1]

Your first picture shows the heater hoses removed. These need to be reinstalled and the control valve reconnected to the vacuum control system per the comments by Hemikiller above.

 

[Fredensborg]

Consider for about $2000 a Classic Auto Air system. It will bolt in place of old components and be current technology…vs rebuilding/replacing old style parts…

If I were to do something like this in the future, does it use the original controls in the dash? I like the look of my original dash knobs and switches.

 

[Fredensborg]

You don't need the compressor to get heat.

The A/C systems in these cars are driven through vacuum, so you need to have the system hooked up to that to function, otherwise all you'll have is defrost mode. The vacuum hoses exit the firewall directly behind the engine. The smaller hose goes to the water control valve, shown in your second pic. The larger hose to the vacuum reservoir on the passenger side fender apron. That reservoir must also be hooked up to manifold vacuum.

Volume 3, section 36-42 of the 73 Ford Shop manual has the complete system vacuum and functionality diagrams.

Your first picture shows the heater hoses removed. These need to be reinstalled and the control valve reconnected to the vacuum control system per the comments by Hemikiller above.

Thanks guys, I will check those diagrams out. So if I hook up that hose again, I should have heat? If I had heat, that would definitely make my car drivable until at least October!

 

[RIBS]

If I were to do something like this in the future, does it use the original controls in the dash? I like the look of my original dash knobs and switches.

No, it replaces the stock controls, at least it did on my 71, the look good….it pretty much replaces every old piece, it does reuse engine brackets and idler pulley…

 

[two73stangs]

I also took.out the AC components and saved them all but would like to have them rebuilt and reinstalled? But where and who can do this and also upgrade it to 134a?? A local AC shop or car restoration shop? Also means condenser and evap need to be reconditioned and or any repairs original is 50years now

 

[mrgmhale]

It was a bit chilly here in Minnesota while driving Sleipnir home from work this morning. My car needs a weather strip kit bad, and leaks air like a sieve. I tried to use my heater to warm up a bit, but to no avail…I know basically nothing about the climate control systems in these cars (or any car for that matter) and I am wondering if my lack of heat is due to the fact that my A/C stuff was foolishly butchered out of the Mustang by yours truly many years ago.

The summers in Minnesota are quick and hot, and the shoulder seasons can be hot, cold,wet, and dry and anything in between. Basically, this problem is quickly moving towards one of my front burners as perfect weather days are few and far between here in the northern hinterlands.

As far as I remember, my A/C and heater worked fine years ago before I tore the AC equipment out…is it as simple as buying a new compressor and hooking it up? Or am I in for a quasi-major pain in the a**? Here are a couple of pictures of what remains of my climate control system…any tips fellas? View attachment 64990View attachment 64991View attachment 64992

For parts and questions about those old school oem A/C parts you may be needing, I would call Original Air (a division of Classic Air air conditioning solutions for vintage cars). Their web site is:

https://www.originalair.com/

I found my R-12 on ebay.


For Classic Air their site is:

https://www.classicautoair.com/mustang_air_conditioning_ford_ac/

 

[Fredensborg]

For parts and questions about those old school oem A/C parts you may be needing, I would call Original Air (a division of Classic Air air conditioning solutions for vintage cars). Their web site is:

https://www.originalair.com/

I found my R-12 on ebay.


For Classic Air their site is:

https://www.classicautoair.com/mustang_air_conditioning_ford_ac/

Thank you! I will definitely be checking them out. I can't even remember what a threw away...I think it is just the compressor, hoses, and a belt I need?

 

[Mike King]

I also took.out the AC components and saved them all but would like to have them rebuilt and reinstalled? But where and who can do this and also upgrade it to 134a?? A local AC shop or car restoration shop? Also means condenser and evap need to be reconditioned and or any repairs original is 50years now

Your local auto aircon. specialist should be able to do it. I do this for a living in Australia and have just finished a Plymouth Duster. I would buy a new compressor as they are built for the higher pressures of R134a. The evaporator coil (behind dash) should be flushed out to get rid of old oil etc. The fin parts can be washed or blown out with air. Fit a new R134a TX valve(square block on fire wall where evaporator pipes go). The condenser coil (in front of radiator) can also be flushed and the fins straightened and repainted to look good. I suggest fitting new hoses. A good specialist can fit new hoses to the specially shaped pipes and use new fittings where possible. All new 'o' rings to be fitted and a new receiver drier (black canister by condenser) fitted. Switches and vacuum lines can be checked prior to starting any work. I also suggest fitting a low/high pressure cut out switch for protection.