Cooling advice for aftermarket AC

[jager000]

I am in the process of restoring/modding a 74 Charger SE with my son for his first car. The car never had AC but I am planning on putting a Classic Auto Air kit in it. I did the same in a 1958 Impala restoration and have had some cooling issues with the AC on in the summer.

I am wanting for him to be able to use the AC so I am trying to figure out what we need in order to make sure that the car stays cool. This is my first Mopar build, so I am a little in the dark.

We built a moderate 440 with aluminum heads.

Someone at some point had swapped the original fan for a flex-a-lite. I have found that usually a clutch fan is better for cooling so I was going to go back to a clutch and maybe install an electric pusher fan if needed unless someone has a better idea.

Also would a stock style radiator be adequate or should we step it up a notch?

Thank you for any help.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I agree about the clutch fan. In particular, the Mopar Performance Viscous Fan Package is tough to beat. I would put the biggest radiator in it that will fit. Go with an aluminum one with two 1" or 1.25" rows of flues and it will never run hot.

 

[snakeoil24]

I had pretty good luck with Bouchillio Performance for A/c Info he seems to know his stuff might consider them as well as classic auto air

 

[74 Bluerunner]

I agree with Rusty... 74 Roadrunner 383-4speed (bored .40 over). Classic Auto Air.
I did the exact same thing after months of frustration and running 210 degrees.. Get a HD fan clutch, good shroud, 2 row alum. radiator with large rows. I even went with 440 Source alum. water pump housing and high flow water pump.. In Central Texas I run 180 in the winter and at most 195 in traffic with air on in 95+ heat of summer.. I cruise this car all the time. Went to Louisiana in December.. 900 miles. No issues. Except wife drives it more than me... gotta watch those tall Redheads from Houston. Recently purchased a 70 Charger 383/auto. Ran 200 degrees. Replaced fan clutch with HD, new shroud, runs 180. it is a 3 row 26" stock radiator.

 

[jager000]

Thank you for the advice. I think that is exactly what I will do.^

I like the Classic Auto kit because it is complete, but I will check out Bouchillo.

This has been a cool project so far. Parts are MUCH easier to find than they were on my Impala.

 

[Dennis H]

Classic Auto Air has been reliable and ice cold in the Coronet for 7 years. It has the original clutch fan, shroud, 26 inch radiator cored to a 4 row. 180 Superstat thermostat, Mancini billet housing, green coolant. At 107 degrees we idled for over an hour in Reno with no overheating. Heat soak fuel problems were solved with a one inch spacer and wrapping and rerouting lines.

 

[74 Bluerunner]

Just one last word of advice on installing Classic Auto Air unit.. Test fit, test fit, test fit... My unit was also for an E body. May have improved in 2 years. Main box unit did not line up with defroster ducts, had to re-position unit and modify duct slightly. Main fan switch is for an E body( horizontal mount) yours should be a vertical mount like mine.. had to modify slightly. Duct hose to driver side instructions are for an automatic.. I have a 4 speed. Clutch pedal bar presented problems. I used the vent bar under dash at first.. later went back and got a OE dash vent set up for upper dash. few mods and I am very happy. Did this when I refurbished entire dash... Including refacing gauges, painting frame and steering column, and new Dash pad. Unless you want to get into heavy modification or dash frame replacement.. you will have to use the aftermarket vent for the driver side. The factory vent is recessed in the frame on the driver's side. All in all I am very satisfied. One more note: pulley system with kit is an add on basket pulley for your crank pulley..if you want to go OEM.. you will have to change crank pulley to 4 groove, and it will lead to a lot more work and expense(things like double grove alt. pulley, etc).. I did it but it worked well the easy way as well.