Does anyone have any experience with
http://www.classicautoair.com/BBody6872.asp ???
or these guys
http://www.vintageair.com/ ???
I am thinking about putting air in my 69 4 spd RR but don't want to go the factory conversion route. I'm just looking to make the least impact to the car as possible (as far as installation goes) and I heard some of these units slip in nicely and make the inside cold. I would also like to hide the compressor down below where it's out of the way.
Here is some info for all of those that are interested in putting A/C in your old muscle car.
Some background on MY knowledge on the subject. For 11 years I worked for a muli-divisional company that among other things had been involved in the aftermarket automotive air conditoning business since
1957. I learned that there is no real magic in putting togather a custom system other than knowing where to buy the componant parts required. Most of the things you need are universal to nearly all cars such ad the condenser and dryer which is subject to the available space in front of your radiator, (the bigger the better) the refrigeration lines, and the compressor which the necessary model is dictated by the space available and which side the lines attach. These parts are readily available at parts stores or from suppliers of aftermarket A/C installers/suppliers.
The evaporator and the air vents are really the only things that present a problem for most people as they seldom know what they need or where to place them. The typical set up that most people want is something that is as hidden as possible or as close to factory looking as they can get.
For Mopar B bodies this varies only slightly from 1962-1975 or so. In nearly all of these applications you are going to want an under dash evaporator mounted on the passenger side under dash. This is the same basic location of a factory A/C evaporator. These are available as A/C only or as a Heater/A/C unit which would replace your existing factory heater unit. These evaporators were available in several different configuation especially with differences in the distribution outlets that the vent hoses attached to. Typically, a B body can use an evaporator that has all dischages on the top or two on top and one each on the sides. You then simply route the flexible hosing to the discharge vent openings.
On 62-67 the best looking set up wound be the simple slim line under dash vents that can be screwed to the long flat lower dash edge. One driver's side, one pasenger side and two in the middle. This also resembles the original factory A/C to some degree.
One 68-70 the dummy plates that cover the openings for factory A/C ducts on the ends of the dash both passenger and drivers side can be removed and aftermarket vents can be used here as the dash is already set up for this purpose. Two other vents can be place under the dash in the middle for additional air distribution.
71-up I am not real familiar with as I seldom pay much attention to these cars but you get the idea.
The controls are available in a compact panel that can be placed under the dash or IN your dash as space permits if you are willing to cut holes for this. There are several control panels available that can be used in placed of your factory controls.
So, where do you get these evaporators, vents and controls? Frig-King was the oldest manufacturer of these systems and custom parts. This is the company that my old company used to use. We install these sytems in off road equipment (Catapiller etc.) limos, flower vans, etc., etc. most anything you can think of. They offered a big selection of evaporators, and vents. I could not find them online and it has been nearly 20 years since I used them. I suspect someon has absorbed them or they are simply out of business, but I did see several places that sell Frig-King parts so you may have some luck there. The two links I list below show the componant parts I refer to above. Both offer complete kits or seperately sold parts. The first link has nice pictures of the evaporators, and a better selection of controls. The second link has prices on their site.
With this info you can piece togather your own complete system and buy the componants as you go if you so desire.
Hope this helps in your quest to be COOL.:cool:
http://www.hotrodair.com/index.cfm?ptype=results&Category_ID=2&home_id=2&mode=cat
http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/ac/duct-hose-and-vents-4.php
