Need advice on air conditioning selection

[sargentrs]

Getting closer and want to start planning my a/c installation. I'd like advice/suggestions on which direction to go. I'm not concerned with appearance in so much as installation "gotchas". Here's the options I'm investigating. OEM is not a consideration, I'm just as open to aftermarket/universal. I've already determined that I can get the complete peripherals (condenser, drier, compressor, hoses, valves, etc) complete for under $500. So the decision making comes down to the evaporator unit. The way I see it, I have two basic options.

1. Original heater/defrost + under dash evaporator. Original heater works, evap around $300.
2. Heat/Cool/Defrost complete. Total around $600.

In addition, I have a decent original dealer add on evap that I bought off of EvilBoy for $100. However, the housing was cracked/dented in shipping but might can be repaired. Questions:

1. Is it more practical to convert an evaporator from R12 to R134 or just buy another evap ($300 ish)?
2. Can you test an evap to see if it's functional or has leaks in a workbench environment?
3. If you use the original heater box, how do you route the a/c hoses? Any interference considerations?
4. Could an evaporator unit be mounted in an enclosed space or does it require considerable ventilation?

These are the basic preliminary questions running through my mind right now. Anybody have any answers, suggestions, advice, experience, that can help me make the right decisions for my application? All input is welcomed. Thanks in advance!

[ToughOldFord]

Back when I drove my '69 I pieced the dealer A/C back together. Ran into some snags, but eventually got it together and working. But shortly thereafter the old York compressor leaked out all the freon out its old seals. If I ever put the ol' girl back on the road I'm going to update to a Sanden style compressor.

You should be able to install the evaporator wherever you want as long as it's able to intake at least the same amount of air it is pushing out.

I've never heard of any issues of efficiency problems with the R12 to R134 downgrade as far as the evap goes, but the R12 condenser are supposed to less efficient with the R134 then the modern ones. It does work okay though, most of my vehicles are conversions with nothing changed except receiver/drier and orifice tube where applicable.

The dents/cracks in the evap housing wouldn't worry me any as long as the evap is sound. You'll have to pull a vacuum before charging anyway so you'll be testing for leaks at that point. Just give it a good visual before installing.

Unless you are after a specific look, new evaps can be found really inexpensive on eBay for under $100 shipped. Like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-UNDER ... e7&vxp=mtr

&

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-UNDER ... d8&vxp=mtr

I got something similar for my old Plymouth which never had A/C so I'm putting that all together with new components.

[sargentrs]

Thanks for the input ToughOldFord. And thanks for those links. I like the looks of the 2nd one and the price is excellent.

[KStew67F100]

Unless you are after a specific look, new evaps can be found really inexpensive on eBay for under $100 shipped. Like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-UNDER ... e7&vxp=mtr

&

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-UNDER ... d8&vxp=mtr

I got something similar for my old Plymouth which never had A/C so I'm putting that all together with new components.

The guy I bought my truck from included a unit similar to the one in your first link. I went to install it and it is too deep (13"+) for fit under the center of our dashes. You may be able to take out all the heat equipment and install it under the passenger side of the dash.

[smilinsam]

Hey Sargentr! I just got done installing air cond. in my '72 Camper Special, which did not have air prior. I had a couple of options...first was a complete Ford underdash (I'm not sure if they actually made in-dash units in '72) from the salvage yard. It included the in-dash controls and the evaporator unit that bolted in front of the heater, compressor, brackets and hoses...it was missing the condensor, which somebody evidently took with the radiator. The unit was fairly clean and looked like it may have worked not too long before they junked the truck. The salvage yard wanted 300. for everything. But...I got to thinking...a new condensor would probably Ihave been at least another 100...if the hoses or fittings leaked it could easily run another 100...an original evaporator is only available NOS (that I could find) and is sky high...well, you get the picture. Add to that the cost and availability of R-12 (price quoted was 70. a can, IF you can find someone who has it) or the cost to convert to R-134. I saw a potential cost of 500-600 minimum and maybe more, and I still end up with a 40 yr. old unit. So, bottom line, I decided to go aftermarket....I bought an "Old Air" AC only, underdash unit, thru "Gearheads" on E-bay for 890...freight was another 50. That's actually 200. cheaper than "Old Air" sells them on their website, so I assume "Gearheads" is a dealer that moves quite a few units. The kit was very complete and had bracketry for my FE engine including a crank pulley. The instructions left a little to be desired, but everything fit very well and should be an easy install for anyone with mechanical skills. The underdash evaporator/fan unit was a tight fit in front of the factory heater and you lose some leg room, but It doesn't take up any more room than the factory add-on unit, and it looks good. The only extra cost was crimping the supplied hoses and, of course, charging the system....but I'm still in for a little over a grand, and everything's new. Additionally, I installed a 10" elec. fan in front of my condensor, which is not required but it really helps cooling on a 100 degree Texas day, and believe me, if the cab is well insulated, this AC unit will freeze you out of there! Just a suggestion, of course, but I believe saving your nickles for a kit is well worth it and may end up saving you money and headaches in the long run. I might also suggest spending an extra 300. and get the AC/Heat combo, which is also offered from "Gearheads." That way you can replace all the old stuff while you're at it. I didn't because my heater was all replaced shortly before I bought the truck. Well, sorry to ramble on...good luck, no matter how you go!

[sargentrs]

Thanks for the input guys!

KStew: How much "too big" was it? Did it stick out far past the dash?

smilinsam: I appreciate letting me know about Gearheads actually being cheaper.

[48prerunner]

Any reason not to go after market like vintage air?

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/0912c ... c_install/

[sargentrs]

Just financially. Trying to get out as cheaply as possible. I've found a kit that contains everything except the evap for $450. Just trying to figure out which way to go from there inward. My stock heater was totally acceptable as is so replacing it is not mandatory.

[68RGR]

In my quest to be cool, I am going to START with this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400319213810?

The seller is a very cooperative fellow and lists his phone number on his "store" page. He customized a kit for me with longer hose lengths and the extra fittings I wanted. He also has the same parts except with an adjustable compressor mount for an additional $24.

GRANTED - This kit may not provide all of the parts necessary to mount and drive the compressor. But, it was close enough for me and provided a very large percentage of the under hood components. After all, you need the hose, the fittings, the compressor, etc. Buying them individually is more trouble and more expensive based on my experience.

I wanted the least expensive route and I think the compressor/hose/drier/mount/fittings in this package meet that goal for the parts that are included. And, the current price is quite a bit less than it was a few months ago.

However, it you want a more "plug and play" option, the Sure Fit line or similar choices might be best for you.

But, even if your truck already has air, this kit will allow you to convert to a modern style compressor at a reasonable cost.

I was looking for the largest parallel flow condenser that would fit because I didn't want any problems with cooling capacity. If the heat sink (condenser) is too small, it can't transfer the heat required to do the job. This may not be the absolute largest condenser that will fit but it's close and is 308 square inches:

http://www.northernfactory.com/SPECIALT ... S/404-1221

Hopefully, it will actually fit!

I am still up in the air on the evaporator. Might go with this one or a more generic unit:

http://nostalgicac.com/evaporator-units ... truck.html

Anyone used it? If so, how do you like it? Does it work well? Fit OK?

[sargentrs]

Thanks Bill! I had that Nostalgic Air unit bookmarked already. It's on my list of possible evaps. I was also looking at this kit to use with the EBay under dash evap. http://nostalgicac.com/complete-ford-ac ... mount.html

[68RGR]

Hi Randy,

The Nostalgic Air kit looks great. Unless I missed something, the kits are pretty much the same except for the condenser. I managed to find the one I linked to for around $75 delivered. But, that was a one time deal. They can be had for around $85 delivered though. So, for the eBay kit plus a condenser, just under $300. Compared to $449 for the Nostalgic Air kit.

If you were to get the $211 kit ($192 plus $19 shipping) from the seller on eBay along with the $85 condenser and $64 for one of the universal evaporators, you'd be at 360 bucks. A few months ago, I would have said that was impossible. How's that for low budget?

With the UD-150 made-for-our-trucks evaporator, you'd be in the $595 range. Which is still pretty darn good.

$64 Evaporator is here (there are others available for under $100):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121173488911


Condenser is here:

https://www.reliableaftermarketparts.co ... enser.aspx

[sargentrs]

Thanks for tips Bill! Sounds like we're getting closer. However, as KSTEW mentioned above most of those EBay evaps are around 13+ inches. I just measured my dash at the center and it's only around 10" to the firewall. That means it'd stick out past the dash around 3+" which I think would look kinda awkward. So the Nostalgic unit would look better and still put me at under $700 which is not bad. Also, doing like you suggest, I could buy it in chunks so I wouldn't have to cough up $700 all at once.

[68RGR]

The el cheapo evaporator I linked to is 11.5" deep. I'm thinking the only way to really know would be to spend the 64 bucks.

Also, the ones I've seen were always canted upward at the front which will get you a little more "depth" - I like the Nostalgic UD-150 OK but $235 is $235. Not sure if the left most vent on the UD-150 flows very much air. If it does, that could push me to buy it.

Back when I had a '69 Ranger years ago, it had a similar evaporator but I don't think it had the left side vent. That thing worked so well that I'd gladly buy another one right now. It actually made little ice pellets and shot them at the center seat passenger. Never froze up - Just blew freakin' ice. I can still hear ol' Joe today - "That thing's spittin' ice at me!"

Now, THAT was air conditioning!

[sargentrs]

Cool! (pun intended ). 11.5" may be workable. I'm really not fond of the way this looks pointing up at the ceiling. http://www.fordification.com/tech/image ... aler13.jpg The one I currently have, with the damaged housing kinda looks like this one http://www.fordification.com/tech/image ... aler02.jpg If I can fix the housing to be presentable, it would save me even more. I appreciate all your help and input!

[68RGR]

I agree - That first image isn't very appealing.

The second one is nicely done and compact. Too bad no one is making that one today.

I'm probably going with the UD-150 unless something better comes along. I have time to figure that part out because I might not get to the compressor and condenser for a few weeks. There are other options that might work but the UD-150 seems to be the best option at this point.

Keep me posted and I will do the same.