Has anyone here installed an aftermarket A/C unit from vintage air in their non A/C Cutlass? I'm considering it...but wanted to see if others have and what the experience and opinions were.

 

I am wondering the same...including total cost.

 

Mine is an A/C car mbut very happy with Vintage Air. Biggest difference is the compressor goes on the drivers side on a non-A/C car so the hoses have to route across the engine bay somehow. Think the kit is around $1.3k and here is a thread from when they used my car to develop the system.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ditioning.html

 

If you order direct from VA, you can specify which side you want the compressor on. It will cost around $1335.00 direct from them plus shipping. Ebay has kits for less pre packaged. You will just need the AC alternator brackets for the drivers side. Looks alot better than the hoses running over the engine in the picks I've seen.
Mine is STILL sitting in the boxes next to the car since November Maybe later this month? I will post pic's when I get the time to start on it.

 

I've done quite a bit of research on retrofitting A/C and I've found Old Air to have slightly better pricing. Parts and pieces seem about the same between the two vendors. Vintage Air has what they call a Sure-Fit system that's made to fit the Cutlass while I don't know if Old Air has a similar made-to-fit package. It's worth checking out though considering the price differential.

When checking out compressors, most new pieces seem to be made in China and I've read a bunch of stories about limited longevity. These modern compressors are called Sanden type and use either 5 or 7 cylinders with the 7 cylinder type being smoother. Also, if you haven't done so already, be sure to insulate the floor and firewall as that's a big source of radiant heat. You can use something very effective but inexpensive like this stuff at Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

Chris

 

I received my kit yesterday!. I ordered the vintage air package from dealer for 1250, plus approx 100 for shipping, so it was the price that vintage air wanted (1350), but saved the shipping. http://www.vintageautoairconditioning.com/. They are a top dealer of the vintage air line. All I have done so far is unpack and check out parts and instructions....bonus is that I do NOT need to get AC pulleys for my car. It stays with a 2 belt system. Will keep updated once I move into installation stage.

 

Cool. Post pics of the installation progress and final product. Want to see how it ends up on a 2 belt non-AC car.

 

Still looking for time to install mine that has been in the boxes since Nov. Maybe in the next week or 2. I also will post pics. I can't see the 2 belt setup in my head though. Mine already has the AC pulleys so I am set if they line up.

 

[QUOTE=ziff396;519803]Still looking for time to install mine that has been in the boxes since Nov. Maybe in the next week or 2. I also will post pics. I can't see the 2 belt setup in my head though. Mine already has the AC pulleys so I am set if they line up.[/QUO



The diagram for my non ac car shows the compressor mounted above the ps pump and just putting a longer belt on to circle crank, water pump, compressor, and ps.

 

well....it started today. I spent about 8.5 hours gutting the old system. Much like I expected, the worst part was on the drivers side.....took about 2 hours (with breaks) to get the d side vent piece out....the rest is fairly simple. So far...have the inner fender, entire heater box, ducts, hoses, control panel, etc out....will update when I get to install.

 

Well i put V/A in my vette last summer, I like it alot. Im in central Texas so it gets pretty hot here. I didnt like the big metal plate that covers the old heater core. It looked just like that..... a big hole in the firewall with a painted piece of metal covering it. So i bought more hose ends from Nostalgic Auto Air and used my old firewall side heater cover. It looks so much better i think, looks more stock. I bought 4 bulk head fittings, made a cover for the old blower motor mounting hole, cut holes for the bulk H fittings. Then i measured both A/C hoses, and both heater hoses. Cut them and installed the inside hoses to the back side of the bulk H fittings, screwed the plate on to the old blower motor mount. Then i attached the engine side hoses to the outside bulk H fittings and routed them as i want them. Nostalgic Auto Air also sells compression/ o ring fittings for heater hose. Same as for the A/C lines.... almost. The heater hose is a little different size i think on the compression side. Anyway i put them on the intake and water pump. They look better to me than hose clamps.
It works great!!! and now i WANT to drive my Vette when its hot.
It looks great inside the car and under the hood. I really like the aluminum compressor, it dosent seem to pull any load on the motor. I didnt even need to increase my idle speed
All in all i love it.
I hope yours comes out as well as mine did.

 

I'm very interested in seeing how the vintage air mounts on an AC equipped car for pulley and bracket stuff. Considering getting the sure fit system. Please post pics and let us know how smooth the install goes. Thanks!

 

Only able to work a few hours on car today. Installed defrost ducts, condensor and drier....pretty straight forward. BIG problem today is that duct adapters that hook up to my non-AC driver and passenger dash vents will not fit. Have a call into VA tech....hoping they have an idea...if not looks like melting plastic, duct tape, or something else that hasn't occurred to me yet. Have to go back to work soon...so may be several days before another update.

 

Look above at post by hookem horns....he has a link to a thread about installation on an AC car......mine is non- AC....and is being a bit of a bear.

 

Still havn't started mine yet. I was curious though, did you charge the system yourself or have it done at a shop?

 

It's been 20 years since I was installing A/C units for a living and as I recall the "custom fit" compressor mounts were always a bit difficult to figure out. Even when I did them all the time. Most of these units are universal type components and certainly functional, but it takes a bit of flair to make them look decent. Being a classic car lover I always tried to make them look as non-universal as possible. I don't think I installed many Vintage Air or others like them, but if you take your time and mock things up before drilling/cutting any holes you should be able to get a good working system.

Once I get the Hoopty II (67 Cutlass Vert) up and running I will probably go through this myself. But that will be a while, I have lots to do before then!

36_15_271_zps52c3ab1c.gif36_15_271_zps52c3ab1c.gif36_15_271_zps52c3ab1c.gif

 

Quick update....called vintage air tech yesterday about vent adapter problems, was asked to send pics in via email. received a call this morning saying it appears mine are factory air vents, ( not a factory air car or dash) but, they are sending me AC vent adapters to see if that works.....GREAT customer service from Vintage Air so far!

 

Update on AC install: I have all pieces installed with exception of passender side duct hose. I received pieces from vintage air finally, but only 1 piece fit, so I installed on driver side and continued since I can install passenger side duct as long as glove box is still out of the way. Called VA and yet another piece should be on its way soon. Major issues I have had on putting this in my non-factory Ac car:
1. Compressor bracket fits a little too close to PS pump, still not sure if I will get the belt that runs from crank, water pump, PS and compressor all tight enough without interference.....
2. Compressor being mounted on driver side interferred with upper radiator hose....had to buy a stainless flex hose to put on to clear compressor.
3. Not really all that sexy under the hood....but not awful.

I dont have pics of installation, but will try to post an underhood shot soon. If I could make 1 change, it would be to have ordered direct from vintage air instead of a dealer so that I could have customized my kit somewhat....would have preferred to mount compressor on passenger side and put alternator on driver side in hindsight. BUT...since I ordered the kit I didnt get to speak with them and all the hoses, etc were made to the length to put on driver side. Oh well. Once I get time to install the wiring, I will be ready to take and have charged...praying I have all the fittings tight....will be a bear to have to go back on some of this stuff. I can do last duct when it comes.

 

The engine is dirty, and the white on the firewall is silicone that will dry clear.

 

That still looks pretty good. Some upper hose routing though. Wonder why they mount the compressor on drivers side if not an A/C car? Seems like it would still be better on passenger side and only require additional brackets for the alternater along with the A/C brackets they make for cars that originally had A/C.

 

Wouldn't an original style upper radiator hose for an AC car that mounts with a clip to the fan shroud work instead of the flex hose?

 

The compressor sits right in the path for the stock hose....at least I couldn't figure out how to do it any other way.....any suggestions would be helpful....I would much rather have a stock hose than what I now have.

 

Got it wired up....went to start...and it has taken me a few days to find why I had no spark.....caught the wire from my pertronix to coil in the heater hose clamp on manifold. Doh! Anyway....once fired up, system ran! Now to put inner fender in, clean interior, and go get some chill juice!

 

Nice job, I am putting a/c back on my car now also, only mine was and once again is a factory air type. I had a upper radiator hose on my 71 Cutlass that wasn't "correct" for it but it came directly off the radiator and immediately turned up over the shroud and then went back to the thermostat housing. It may work for you. I since have gotten the correct hose for the 71 and I'm sure that one would hit on your compressor. Problem is I cant remember what the "incorrect" one was for.... Next time you go to a car show look at the Olds and you may find a formed one that will work. I too am at the point of getting the new system charged. Check out my thread if you like.

 

Looking at those fittings it seems to me that rotating the compressor 90 degrees clockwise would let you run both A/C lines in front of the air cleaner/carburetor then split them fore and aft at the fenderwell. Using a slightly longer factory radiator hose should let you run over the top of the compressor. Just make sure you use some sort of insulator to keep from rubbing a hole in it. Make sure your motor mounts are in good condition too.

Just my $0.02, adjusted for inflation!

 

Looking at the pics again, it looks like your liquid line is too short to rotate the compressor. I would still try to run the radiator hose over the top of the compressor though.

Those are o-ring fittings so torque on the nuts will not effect the seal, only keep the fittings from loosening and rotating. Good and snug should be all you need. I used very short wrenches on the fittings when I was installing so I would not over-torque them and damage them.

 

Thanks for the advice...but, I tried the hose on top of the compressor the way it sits....too high. The hood barely stops short of hitting the compressor hose. Still trying to figure out if its just me, or a flaw in their sytem....lots of little problems that their instructions were not correct for...at least my car....

 

also...thanks for telling me about the o ring connections.....now hoping I didnt over do it! ....I'm famous for that.....ergo the "dont need a torque wrench" thing!

 

Sounds like the AMA systems I used to install. We used to call them "All Most Air"! The systems contained all of the necessary parts for an A/C system but the most vague instructions you ever saw. Made the instructions that come with particle board furniture look like a novel! Working at an A/C shop though we were able to make our own hoses with whatever angle or length we needed. You might try contacting the manufacturer and see if they can provide you with another set of hoses that fit better. For the radiator hose you might try looking at a few different Cadillac hoses, they use a lot of Olds engines. A good, seasoned parts man may be able to help if you show him a picture of what you need.

 

late to the party, but for the future, Classic Auto Air is another possiblity.

 

Sorry for the late reply
I took my Vette to have it charged as the system has to be evacuated on my instruction for 45 minutes before charging. It blows cold!!
My alternator was also on the passenger side, so i bought lt. side alt. brackets so i could mount the compressor on the pass. side. I didnt want the hoses crossing over the motor. I bought an alternator extension harness from Lectric Limited for that conversion, it worked great. Also they have (vintage air) compressors that have the hose fittings coming straight out the back side.Then you wouldnt have to worry about hood clearance. With it on the
passenger side the hoses can be easily routed anywhere you want them. I have a friend who can help me post pics i hope, so maybe i can do that soon. I need to learn how so i can post pics of my 67 442 build. I just need to learn how to make the size of the pics smaller so they will post. LOL Im not much of a computer guy.
Anyway good luck to all

Steve

 

Again i want to say you could at your convience collect all the brackets for a drivers side alternator, buy the passenger side brackets from VA, they might trade you for yours, get an alternator extension harness from LECTRIC LIMITED. You can buy hose and fittings from VA or NOSTALGIC AUTO AIR and when you have time move the compressor to the pass. side and mount the alt. on the drivers side. Its a nicer look, i think you would like it better.
Just another 2 cents from me.

Steve

 

Pic of it with all pieces back to gether under hood....starting to grow on me. Still have to do a couple small things inside before taking for the charge....

 

It does look good! Will you have to trim the shroud?

 

The car does not currently have a shroud....never needed it for cooling....that may change once I get the AC going.....looks to me like if I need to install one it should fit.

 

You are getting close to done. Just in time, too! Very cool! (Pun intended!)

 

Hey big red I saw a thread that has some info and pics about upper radiator hoses. I think the one that turns immediately out of the radiator may work for you, check it out. It's titled " upper radiator hose " posted by cutlassquad .

 

Thanks! I'll check it out!

I finally got the AC charged today! Works good.....time will tell. I drove around a bit enjoying the AC...then swapped the olds for the bad motor scooter (also air conditioned!) and rode awhile. All in all, a good day to be a gear head in WV.