Adding A/C to a 72 Satellite

[43tutor]

I posted a few weeks ago about my search for a 72 Satellite project car. Since that post I've located another 72 Sat Sebring Plus car that I'm considering. However, this car does not have A/C. I live in the South and A/C is must during those hot summer cruise-in days.

Has anyone ever converted a none A/C car over to an A/C car? Assuming that I can find all the parts can this be done at a reasonable price?

Asking for some direction on this issue.....

Also, I'm not sure if the owner has the build sheet for this car (waiting on him to respond) but I would also like to know more details about this car. Does anyone have access to the original build sheet data for these cars? I would like to know more particulars about the number of 72 Satellites that where built with the options shown on the fender tag.

Thanks for the help.

 

[moparmarks]

Adding fatcory a/c is kinda difficult cause the firewall is different between a/c and non. Have to cut and weld in a patch.
The easiest would be aftermark setup like Vintage Air.

 

[dangina]

Adding fatcory a/c is kinda difficult cause the firewall is different between a/c and non. Have to cut and weld in a patch.
The easiest would be aftermark setup like Vintage Air.

Interesting - i did not know this but considered it...

 

[moparmarks]

Will fork out some bucks for a Vintage Air setup but might be easiest.
Rounding up all the parts for a factory setup may be costly if you don't have a parts car. Not only different firewall but dash frame as well. Then need the underdash duckwork, controll switch, a/c heater box. Plus all the under hood stuff that you'll need either way.
If your looking at buying a car, keep looking for one with A/C.

 

[flypaper]

what would every piece to put fac ac in a 71b worth?
firewall patch,dash frame,heater box,vacuum lines and all
the underhood lines,condenser,dryer,h2o valve
small block compressor brackets,nuts, bolts, clips...??
i have the whole enchilada in one shot...

 

[moparmarks]

Thats a good question Frank. The factory under hood parts are the hardest to find. The dash stuff I have stacks of. A nice set of SB lines can bring 150 or more. BB HP lines are impossible to find in good condition if at all.
A complete nut and bolt setup for 71/2B SB? Easy 500.0 I'd think. Everything except the controll switch and the line along the fender well going to the dryer also fits 71/2 E-body. Maybe 70 too, not sure yet. The line will fit but the J bend is alittle different. Had to make my last set of BB lines.

 

[flypaper]

thanks for the assesment Mark
i had no idea as to the value

i have a complete sb a/c set up if anyone is looking...

 

[moparmarks]

How many times do you see complete setups out there? I'm also tallking nice condition, no damage or rust. Also yours is a complete conversion.

 

[flypaper]

the car it came from had only 90k on it
amazingly
it was 99.8% totally unmolested under the hood.
besides some tune up parts and batt
everything else was orig
i would almost call it a time capsule with some patina... lol
it was running 318 with factory a/c
it is coded for a/c on the fendertag
the system did have pressure in it and the compressor would go on
when you moved the switch over,i'm sure it could been made working pretty easy.
some of the stuff is a little ugly and needs to be cleaned up and detailed,the condenser has some bent fins
but its all there
i even have the clips to hold the lines to the innerfenders..
and the condenser brackets
and also the vacuum lines to the h2o valve.

 

[moparmarks]

Cool. I've had a few cars like that. The 72 Coronet that your cowl came from was like that. Got alot of real nice parts from that car. Have a 74 Coronet 400 4-bbl thats the same.

 

[flypaper]

a bad roof that rotted thru to the main floor
that also got to a frame rail and torsion xmember did it in.
it also got to some of the cowl.
thats why i got the one from you,i did not feel like patching.

it was a shame it was that bad,it could of been a nice driver.
alot of the parts will save a 71 runner shell i have
so all wasn't lost.