Vintage Air/Classic Air/ Original equipment

ord27 · Mar 15, 2018

1970 Coronet driver
Mine is an original 318 car that is getting a few upgrades

I'm certain that I will do a modern engine side A/C upgrade, but am torn on what to do with the interior A/C equipment.

What are yalls thoughts on this?
rebuild original ac/heater box?
Vintage air surefit kit?
Classic Air kit?

mccoymail · Mar 15, 2018

I went with the classic air on mine with direct fit controls. I must admit, I miss the look of the original A/C push button controls and the blower is LOUD and sucks up power (voltage). I probably need an upgrade to my alternator. That said, I love the smaller box and under the hood looks fine. The system works great and was a simple install.

All of that being said, I was originally going to put in the factory stuff and if your interested, I have a rebuilt box as well as rebuilt controls (restored by performance car graphics) that I don't need and will sell.

Good luck

ord27 · Mar 15, 2018

I have bought most of the parts to restore the switch, but might be interested in the restored box. How much do you need for it?

mccoymail · Mar 15, 2018

I'll make you a deal. It's taking up room in the garage. Make me an offer but keep in mind shipping from ohio will suck. this thing is heavy.

Sixpactogo · Mar 15, 2018

Vintage air can provide you with a complete A/C or can provide you with just the under hood components if you want to use the factory heater box. You just need to let them know which way you want to go.

tmaleck · Mar 15, 2018

ord27 said:
1970 Coronet driver
Mine is an original 318 car that is getting a few upgrades

I'm certain that I will do a modern engine side A/C upgrade, but am torn on what to do with the interior A/C equipment.

What are yalls thoughts on this?
rebuild original ac/heater box?
Vintage air surefit kit?
Classic Air kit?

I've used Vintage Air several times. You lose outside air, but these cars are far from air tight. I don't care for the cables, vacuum lines and actuators. These can be recon'd but it's still 40+ years old.
Tim

idrivemopar · Mar 15, 2018

It all depends on what you want to spend and what your goal is, original look or modern functionality, and how much it will be used.

I completely rebuilt my system on my 73, and it was expensive to get compressor rebuilt, replace condenser, drier, get the lines re-done and rebuild the heater box. Heater box rebuild was the least expensive part of the project as I did that myself. Now its 134a, and blows reasonably cool air, but hardly used here in Colorado.

Kern Dog · Mar 25, 2018

Classic Auto Air is in Texas...
I have a 70 Charger with factory A/C. It has not worked the whole time I have owned the car. I decided to go with the retrofit setup that replaces everything. I am just starting the changeover. I like the idea of an all electric control versus the vacuum and electric stock setup.
I spent $1600 including shipping here to California.

Cornpatch MO · Mar 26, 2018

Kern Dog said:
Classic Auto Air is in Texas...
I have a 70 Charger with factory A/C. It has not worked the whole time I have owned the car. I decided to go with the retrofit setup that replaces everything. I am just starting the changeover. I like the idea of an all electric control versus the vacuum and electric stock setup.
I spent $1600 including shipping here to California.

I have decided to replace my factory air with Classic air complete kit. I don't care about being original, and why sink a lot of money into my stock one and still not have it work well. I will be interested in your progress. Please keep us up to date............................MO

Dennis H · Mar 26, 2018

Classic Auto Air has provided uninterrupted ice cold ac for 10 years. Never a leak or hiccup. Around 34 at the vent. Lifesaver in Reno. In August.

451Mopar · Mar 26, 2018

Did the Vintage air conversion kit on the '69 Coronet. It works well, but as mentioned you don't get outside air. The blower motor recycles the interior air. The hose/line routing of their kit puts the heater and A/C lines under the passenger fender. I'm not sure I like that routing?
I do like the control panel that fits in the stock location and the electronic servo controls as it makes for a easy install under the dash.
The condenser and drier assembly is a nice setup and fits good in front of the radiator.
If I was doing a more custom install, I would likely use a bulkhead connector on the firewall, and custom hard lines and hoses in the engine compartment.

Cornpatch MO · Mar 26, 2018

Why do most factory A/C have outside air intake available? Is it to replace stale-smokey air?
I noticed in the installation instructions online, that it appeared to have lines coming through the inner fender. Must be a bulkhead fitment thing? I didn't much care for that because doesn't it get in the way of front end alignment access plate.?...............................MO

ord27 · Mar 26, 2018

I have decided to keep in factory on the inside and am going with the Classi Auto Air engine side update. I really like the look of the factory switches

mccoymail · Mar 26, 2018

Hey that looks familiar. By the way, Your harness shipped today.

ord27 · Mar 26, 2018

mccoymail said:
Hey that looks familiar. By the way, Your harness shipped today.

thanks!!

chtampa · Mar 26, 2018

I went with all factory repop parts under the hood and the heater car to a/c conversion inside with adapters for factory vents. I converted the dash to an a/c dash with all the factory vents. All parts were from Classic Air. Looks factory inside and out except for the Digital Heater style control panel.

Cornpatch MO · Mar 26, 2018

chtampa said:
I went with all factory repop parts under the hood and the heater car to a/c conversion inside with adapters for factory vents. I converted the dash to an a/c dash with all the factory vents. All parts were from Classic Air. Looks factory inside and out except for the Digital Heater style control panel.

What did you use for the center of dash A/C vent? My factory one is in pretty bad condition......................MO

Dennis H · Mar 26, 2018

That center vent borderline Unobtainium. I found one at a swap. Seller said he had to cannibalize several to make one work. Paid a small fortune for it.

Cornpatch MO · Mar 27, 2018

Dennis H said:
That center vent borderline Unobtainium. I found one at a swap. Seller said he had to cannibalize several to make one work. Paid a small fortune for it.

That is what I am finding. I find them on ebay, but pretty pricey. Someone should repop them . I would think one of the aftermarket A/C manufacturers would make them available. ..........................MO

Rick62 · Mar 27, 2018

I bought the Classic A/C parts to convert my '84 Dodge pickup to modern A/C parts from the firewall forward including the condenser and compressor. Charged with 134 it will freeze me out.

Vintage Air/Classic Air/ Original equipment

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