Can you put ina vintage air unit in a factory A/C car? Mine is a 68. I nned the the compressor,brackets, condensor and lines. Basicly everything in the engine compartment except the box on the firewall and the lines and stuff mounted to it.

Any suggestions for what to do? I would like to keep the original look of the suitcase, but not much else matters.

Joe

anything?

What's that going to save you? You can get a condenser for $200 and a compressor for 100 at Autozone, or any other parts store. Probably get some generic hoses for a couple of hundred or less as well. The 67's and 68's used hose barbs and hose clamps so you don't need premade hoses. Won't be technically correct but then neither would a Vintage air system. If your not trying to clean up the engine compartment then the vintage air system really has no benefit over just getting replacement parts and hooking the system up the way it was originally.

That's what I was wanting to know. Never had to deal with getting one working and was thinking a vintage air might be cheaper. What about the R134? Are new parts availble for this or do I have to find and use R12? Can some of these parts be bought used? From other cars? Interchange vehicle types? Maybe Novas? There are some 74 to 78 or so Novas in the junk yard near me. What should I be looking for when it comes to A/C parts? Is it ok to buy them if they have been disconnected and sitting? I don't know much about A/C other than it keep you cool in the summer.

Joe

Everything can be used except the dryer, which needs to be matched to the refrigerant used. All the repro dryers sold at the parts places are setup up for R134 anyway. The compressor just needs the oil that matches the refrigerant, PAG for R134 and mineral oil for R12. If the compressor was run with R12 all the oil needs to be flushed out before being replaced with the PAG as the two are not really compatible. Other than that all you really need is the high temp O rings (the green ones) for all your hose fittings. Theres no problem using a condenser or evaporator that has been left open for a while, but I don't know about a compressor. It all depends on how and where it was stored as to what condition it will be inside.

I believe it would be nice to update the A/C system to the later '88 & up compressor orifice system, such as installed on their trucks. This system does away with the POA valve and you get a smaller compressor.

However, I believe Old Air Systems(?), does supply a POA valve and a POA valve replacement doing away with its function.

Evap & condensor cleaning should be done by using the pressurized gun, the one with the fillable cup and screw it onto the head and pressureize the enclosed gun, and its solvent, kind of like alcohol. Paint stores do sell alcohol by the gallon. A pressurized gun can be bought cheaply from Harbour Freight or borrowed from a HVAC person.

Thanks Mark lots of good info. I think it will be best to find a new compressor.

Everett;

Never saw your reply, as you can see our posts went up at the same time! I have no idea what your talking about but it sounds intresting. I think the POA valve is that thing sitting on top of the suitcase? Going to asanden compressor would be nice. I hear they are better and allow the sytem to get colder.

Joe

No problem, Joe. The A/C system is an orifice system, meaning in the liquid side between the condensor and evaporator, there is an orifice which restricts the amount of liquid into the evap.

It does away with the POA valve, yes, the big valve on top of the suitcase with two service ports, and the expansion valve. One has to install a low pressure cutout switch on the suction side.

Like I said, just look at an 88 and up Chev/GMC truck, you'll see what I'm talking about.