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How to install AC without the lines ruining the inherent beauty of the Mopar Big Block

Centerline

Centerline

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I made the decision early on that I need AC in this car... (south central Texas) but I didn't want the lines running all over the engine compartment like the stock lines do. So.. I ran them a bit differently. I used a Bouchillion Performance compressor mount which locates the compressor low out of the way on the driver's side where the power steering pump would be... if the car was so equipped. Then I ran the lines under the battery tray to the front side of the radiator support to get them out of the engine compartment. From there they go to the condenser and across to the passenger's side of the radiator support and back into the engine compartment to the dryer. Then down the passenger's fender and into the air box and to the AC evaporator unit.

Results were a clean unobtrusive installation. Still need to make a cover for the air box inside and add a clamp or two on the lines running down the fender just to make sure the lines stay put.

AC is a Vintage Air Gen II, Super Cool Climate Control, Universal unit, Sanden shorty compressor, condenser was sourced off E-bay and everything else (lines and fittings) are Vingage Air.

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How's the saying go? If it works good, use it! Nice.
 
Finished the install... all but the wiring. Here's the air box block off plate installed.

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Here are all the connections... (except wiring). You can see the brass hookups for the heater hoses in this shot as well.

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Clean!... Hey, you didn't happen to get any shots of the bracket did you? Like, next to a tape measure or something. :lol:
 
Very nice; I installed a Classic Air system in the Coronet and haven't hooked up the lines yet - some great ideas here.

BTW, when using the Bouchillion bracket, because the belt is so short the pulleys must be perfectly aligned otherwise you're going to get belt squeal.
 
I always abhorred the intrusion those factory hoses made in the engine compartment, thanks for the solution to my long-standing dilemma.
 
-Ed said:
Clean!... Hey, you didn't happen to get any shots of the bracket did you? Like, next to a tape measure or something. :lol:
Click to expand...
I made the brackets. Its a "universal" unit and they give you some materials for brackets with suggestions on how to hang it. I felt the materials they included in the kit were a little flimsy so I just picked up some 1/2" x 1/16" galvanized stock at Home Depot and bent/welded where needed to mount the unit where it fit best. Wasn't a big job but took a little fiddling to get it right. One mount on the firewall and the others tie into unused existing mounts (probably were the stock heater mounted). Its a very solid mount as well.

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I like your evaporator mounting. Very clean!
I'm running power steering so I wanted my compressor mounted below the alternator. I bought a mount package from Billet Connection which drives the compressor with a dedicated belt. Vintage Air recommends running the hoses (4) through the inner fender and through the alignment cam front hole in the inner fender. That hides most of the hoses. I'll sheath the hoses with convoluted wiring harness jacket for extra protection.
I would also like to duct fresh air from the cowl into the evaporator housing if I can engineer a design for that purpose.
Mike
 
My brother also ran the hoses through the inner fender on a 70 Charger. Very clean and let's that 572 Hemi have all the glory. :lol:
 
Hiding hoses and wiring is high on my to do list. Nice job, you gave me some brilliant ideas to mull over. Thanks!
 
Considered many options for running the AC lines but the center compressor mount from Bouchillon Performance seems to leave no choice but to run the lines across/over the motor. I wish the upper hose from the compressor to the fire wall wasn't sticking up so much. It would have been nice to rotate the compressor 90 degrees counter-clockwise, but the distributor would be in the way of the fittings/lines. There is no direct fit option for '65 Coronet so I used an under dash unit which required sacrificing the heater core; an easy decision given the frequency of 100+ degree days in the Sacramento area July-Sept. The system provides more than enough cold air even on a 110 degree day like today.
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I thought I would post a couple shots of the Billet Connection brackets. I'll try to post more later. I really like the idea of the compressor and alternator each having their own drive belt. The compressor pivots on a billet piece that bolts thru the front cover, yet does not obstruct the timing tag. The only draw back to this system is having to use a "Ford" alternator.
Mike

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