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I'm sure that it's been asked before, but, whose aftermarket a/c is the best?

Classic Auto Air located Tampa has been on the non ac R/T for about nine years. Ice cold. Never a recharge. Used the old control box back then, heard it has improved. Friend has Vintage in his 'Cuda and it has better distribution. Not as cold though, but have not pinpointed the reason yet. Not really a driver. Mine gets driven to Reno etc where ac is not an option. I went to their Tampa location on Kennedy Blvd a few years ago and they had a bunch of cars there heading for the Power Tour being outfitted. Mostly Chevy's. Kit was complete with the Sanden. Reliable. Once saw 29 at the vent with the temp gun. I think you know all of this already. Under dash vents are a little hokey. I bought an ac dash but it is not yet installed.
 
I believe Classic Air has more of a Mopar focus. They rebuilt the the heat and A/C box for my
GTX and I bought a whole underhood replacement kit from them as well. I have been to their facility twice, and they seem to know their stuff. I just wish I had all this back on the car. I am sure any warranty on these parts has expired by now. If I ever restore another car I will practice "just-in-time" inventory.
 
RC, I have a Vintage Air system fitted in my A100 (I know it's not the vehicle you are thinking about for yourself) and it works well. The compressor and pulley system is by Bouchillon, and they look great. I will upload some pics of my install if you like. :icon_thumright:
 
The BPE (Bouchillon Performance) guys are top notch. Every time I get on the phone with them I end up doing exactly what they tell me to do. Haven't been wrong yet. I have a compressor and mount, and alternator and mount from them, along with their throttle cable, kick down cable and I can't even remember what else. Call them and see what they say. I've been meaning to ask them the same question...
 
RC, I have a Vintage Air system fitted in my A100 (I know it's not the vehicle you are thinking about for yourself) and it works well. The compressor and pulley system is by Bouchillon, and they look great. I will upload some pics of my install if you like. :icon_thumright:



Sure, pictures of installations would be great!
 
Dick head i bought the kit from Bouchillion performance and retro fitted to my stock a/c box after i rebuilt the heater ac box. I took the ac coil and had it rebuilt.
 
Here's a couple of engine pics with the Bouchillon pulleys and Sanden Compressor fitted to my 360;

163_zps59679778.jpg


164_zps0a979518.jpg


Only a slight modification was required to the compressor fixing bracket where the bypass hose runs on top from the block to the water pump.

DSC02615_zps1c846173.jpg


I'll get some more detailed pics up tonight for you RC. :icon_thumright:

The compressor has 4 fixing holes - bottom one needed shaving off to give clearance for the bypass hose;
DSC05163_zps0ccce287.jpg
 
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Hey RC,

I bought a Classic Auto Air system for my 70 Road Runner. The car is not on the road yet, so I can't tell you how well it works yet. I am working on installing the A/C as hidden as reasonable, so I used a Bouchillon low mount pulley kit. I also have pictures of the control box and controls.

Post #10 & 14: 1st system pictures - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration
Post #24: Controls for dash - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page2
Post #42: Drilling the firewall for A/C - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page3
Post #310: Engine with compressor - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page16
Post #334: Dash and back of vents - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page17

So far, I like it. The only thing I am not thrilled about are the A/C vents that sit under the dash. They are small and a bit cheesy - however I figure I could always change those out at some point if they really bug me...

Hope this helps...

Hawk
 
A few more pics....under dash installation;

DSC02606_zps3f082b38.jpg


DSC02605_zps9e6db8cb.jpg


DSC02603_zpse549e392.jpg


DSC02604_zpsc6794b3f.jpg


I'll take a few more soon. There is more room under the dash in a B Body than one of these trucks. And for reasons best known to fellow Vanner's, I used a different type of A/C condenser unit (this was my secret weapon);
2014-07-30214249_zps8616b5cc.jpg


Came out of a '90's Toyota Hiace van. Perfect as the unit sits neatly underneath the floor and gives enough room for hoses and piping to the various components. It also prevents airflow disturbance to the actual radiator when driving slow of stuck in traffic. As these little trucks only run a 2-core radiator, every bit of air flow is needed.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, and as someone already mentioned...the Vintage Air vent outlets do look a little cheesy, but they actually look fine under the dash in this little Red Terror :eusa_dance:
 
Just keep in mine that the engine mount kit, condenser mount and under dash can and should be treated as separate. They also can be mixed to fit whatever your car needs.
 
Hey RC,

I bought a Classic Auto Air system for my 70 Road Runner. The car is not on the road yet, so I can't tell you how well it works yet. I am working on installing the A/C as hidden as reasonable, so I used a Bouchillon low mount pulley kit. I also have pictures of the control box and controls.

Post #10 & 14: 1st system pictures - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration
Post #24: Controls for dash - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page2
Post #42: Drilling the firewall for A/C - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page3
Post #310: Engine with compressor - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page16
Post #334: Dash and back of vents - http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?65096-Hawk-Rod-The-Restoration/page17

So far, I like it. The only thing I am not thrilled about are the A/C vents that sit under the dash. They are small and a bit cheesy - however I figure I could always change those out at some point if they really bug me...

Hope this helps...

Hawk



That hidden compressor set-up is the berries. Did everything just bolt up properly with no headaches?
 
That hidden compressor set-up is the berries. Did everything just bolt up properly with no headaches?

Now c'mon RC, HOW long have you been doing this?!?! :tard:

Seriously, it actually bolted up pretty nicely. The directions I received with the kit as far as shims did not make my belts line up perfectly, so I played with the shims myself to ensure everything was nice and straight. Of course, I haven't run the setup yet, and I worry if there will be belt slippage if I am running both A/C and lots of electrical items. If I do end up with some issues, I could maybe put a dual belt pulley on the alternator and get an A/C crank pulley too. I would have to figure out how to drive the power steering, but I won't worry about all that unless I have issues. I'll keep you posted.

With my air grabber car, I certainly did not want to have a big A/C compressor sitting on top of the engine!

Hawk
 
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