I have been looking to buy a 1970 or 1972 442 Convertible with air conditioning. I found a 1970 442 convertible without air conditioning. Anyone know what's involved to add "factory air conditioning". I know the alternator has to be changed to the driver's side, but I'm not aware of what is required to install air conditioning. I looked at V intake air conditioning Systems, but I want to keep the car looking original. Anyone have any experience in what is required, or the approximated cost. I'm willing to bring the car to someone familiar/experienced. I live in Pennsylvania.

Thanks for your help.

Harry

 

It would be a ton of work to make it a factory conversion . Firewall is different, but you can purchase that metal repro, kick panels are different, the heater box, the dash controls, the wiring, the dash vents, engine brackets, and on and on. To add it, you really need a parts car (70-72 had drop or conv) that has AC to get all the parts from, as not all those parts are available Reproduction. And, if you are paying someone to do all this, it would be a lot in labor cost. At least right front fender and hood need to come off.

I would either use a non stock looking vintage air system or buy the desired convertible that has factory air already.

 

Go to thepart guy.com you will find 98% of all you need to convert to oe ac
Good luck
Alain

 

It is a major job to convert to the GM A/C system. Would be easier to find a parts car with a complete A/C system than piece it all together. Even then, you will have to do some cutting and welding on the firewall.

 

1) Purchase a parts car with A/C
2) Disassemble parts car and remove all A/C components
3) Remove front sheet metal from your car
4) Remove dashboard from your car
5) Remove heater box from both sides of firewall
6) Remove kick panels from your car
7) Use parts car as a template to cut holes in your firewall
8) Install kick panels and recirulation flapper door from parts car
9) Install vacuum and A/C wiring harness from parts car
10) Install HVAC boxes from parts car (now is a good time to replace the heater core and evaporator)
11) Install heater blower motor from parts car (also a good time to install a new one
12) Install heater control valve in intake manifold
13) Attach vacuum reservoir to firewall
14) Connect all vacuum and wiring to A/C components
15) Install ducting and HVAC controls from parts car into your dash
16) Reinstall dash
17) Install condenser in front of radiator
18) Swap water pump, pulleys, and accessory brackets on engine
19) Install A/C compressor, drier, and hoses
20) Reinstall front sheetmetal
21) Evacuate and charge system

Still want to do this?

 

^ only to find out half the parts from the donor car leak after you complete the install.

Get a car without AC and put the Vintage Air under dash one in. Or plan on converting or repairing a car that already has the AC in it. Only one of my cars had working AC and that's most likely since I bought it in the early 90s. And even it needs work now.

 

Which is why I said to replace the evaporator, etc. The parts car is mandatory just to get all the small pieces for a factory installation, which is what the OP asked about. One would be an idiot not to replace all the wear items as part of this massive undertaking.

The real issue is, why do you want to retro fit A/C to a CONVERTIBLE?

 

In my limited experience with convertibles, they sell for MUCH more money and MUCH easier if they have A/C.

 

There is no way that retrofitting factory A/C to a 442 convert will increase the selling price enough to justify the cost and effort to make the conversion. I ASSUME the OP was asking for his own use, since he is asking about buying one, so again I say WHY would you buy a convert then add A/C?

 

If you live in Texas you have to have AC in a convertible. When it is 100 degrees outside it is no fun in a convertible without AC even with the top up. That is why I added AC to my 54.

 

Agreed. I grew up on the TX / LA Gulf Coast and in that area AC is a must in any vehicle, even a convertible.

 

I know that, I was referring to the common thought of "why do you want A/C in a convertible"