'70 442 air conditioning
#1
'70 442 air conditioning
I have seen several threads on the topic of removing a/c from a car but don't recall seeing any about putting it in a car that doesn't have it. How difficult would it be to add factory style air (complete) to a '70 442?
Randy
Randy
#2
Hi Randy
It can be done. The hole in the firewall is larger for the AC cars, that is the one thing you'd need to cut or weld in a piece from a parts car. I believe everything else would be a bolt on. The duct work may be tedious, but still very do-able. John
It can be done. The hole in the firewall is larger for the AC cars, that is the one thing you'd need to cut or weld in a piece from a parts car. I believe everything else would be a bolt on. The duct work may be tedious, but still very do-able. John
#3
there is a thread about adding vintage air kit for $1300.00. now what is the cost of adding factory components to a non A/C car??? I would be interested to see the difference. My 2 cents is go with vintage air.
What does everyone else think???
What does everyone else think???
#4
My vote's also for Vintage Air, as you could spend years locating parts and educating yourself on how to do this. I bought a new small non a/c econo car years ago. Bought an aftermarket a/c kit, and was up and running in a weekend.
#10
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Just a note on this. I went to the site and looked at it too. Even read the .pdf installation file. It assumes you already have factory air in your car and are upgrading to electronic + R134. If you don't have AC? You still need to find parts to make this work.
#12
I read through the installation manual after I git the right link . It does sat it's for cars that have factory air. By my reading they are providing most of the duct work although some of the existing pieces would need to be modified. It also leaves you needing at least the dash air vents from an ac car.
Randy
Randy
#13
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I read through the installation manual after I git the right link . It does sat it's for cars that have factory air. By my reading they are providing most of the duct work although some of the existing pieces would need to be modified. It also leaves you needing at least the dash air vents from an ac car. Randy
I evaluate it as follows (my car doesn't have AC either so this is my logic)
Good points:
R134 coolant
New air hose lines
rotary compressor
electronic controls vs vacuum
Great for non 'show' cars.
Gets the job done so you can ride in comfort.
Minimal mod to existing AC system.
Neutral
Cost and installation
Neg
Need existing AC setup. (or)
Need to find parts (condition & $$$) that would allow this setup to install in non OEM AC car.
#14
Randy, if you decide to go with original check with the guys on the site who've got parts cars. I've got a 1971 4 door that I've been pulling stuff off of, but it may be several weeks or more before I could pull all the AC parts and cut out the firewall opening for you. Carl Hamm went through this on his car and I think chasing parts was one of the headaches he had. If you could find a car with everything on it and get it all as a package I believe it would be easier than a few items here and a few items there. Eric and Scott are in Indiana and they sell a lot of parts. Bob is down in Florida and he's got a good inventory too. Brian is in Pennsylvania and I believe he's got parts cars. Then you could also create a parts wanted thread to see if another member close by has what you need. Come to think of it, I believe Rachetmaster is in Utah and I'm drawing a blank on his real life name but he's often got spare parts for sale. It may be much cheaper to purchase the factory setup, then upgrade with a newer compressor. Dave (oregontopcat) found a compressor that's lightweight and that's what he used on his 1970 442 convertible. Just some thoughts. John
#15
Think I'd call Vintage air, as they advertise on Power Block TV all the time, with never any mention of the install car ever having factory air. As mentioned earlier, I got an aftermarket ac kit for a new small non factory ac car years ago, and came with every single part needed for the complete ac install. No refrigerant, and needed a vacuum pump, scale, and manifold gauge set to charge, but already had all of this. If you don't have any of this, you may need to have an ac shop properly charge your system.
#20
My guess is the biggest difference between AC and non is going to be with the dash controller setup.
I went with a generic aftermarket kit from Classic Auto Air. It took a little fabrication but wasn't too bad.
I've also installed Vintage Air before, both companies have great products and a great to work with.
I went with a generic aftermarket kit from Classic Auto Air. It took a little fabrication but wasn't too bad.
I've also installed Vintage Air before, both companies have great products and a great to work with.
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