Classic car ac help

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Vckline313
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Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:20 am

Classic car ac help

Post by Vckline313 »

Hello all new member and have afew questions. I have a 1972 Buick skylark with factory ac, but when I bought the car nothing was hooked up and the condenser was cut. I have now since put a Chevrolet motor in the car with a late model truck ac compressor and serpentine belt setup.
What would the better option be going vintage air or replacing all factory ac components and getting custom lines made? What all parts do I need to buy? I'm not familiar with ac systems but am fairly mechanically inclined.
B52bombardier1
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2019 6:21 pm

Re: Classic car ac help

Post by B52bombardier1 »

Hello,

I'm happy with the Classic Auto Air conditioning system in my 70 El Camino. This is a total replacement of everything from the original GM / Chevy / Harrison air conditioning system. No more vacuum operated controls in the system - all electric. It uses R134 refrigerant, not R12. I'm quite happy with it.

https://www.classicautoair.com/

Rick
1970 Chevrolet El Camino 5.3 L LM7 Truck Engine & 4L60E Transmission
ice-n-tropics
Posts: 157
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2016 3:40 pm

Re: Classic car ac help

Post by ice-n-tropics »

Vintage Air's book "How to Air Condition Your Hot Rod" explains how to match system component capacities so that the compressor capacity (displacement/swept volume and drive ratio) is not excessive.
condenser energy rejection must match the evaporator heat absorption plus horsepower energy draw of compressor.
The larger the condenser and it's air flow, the better.
GM's use of 30% outside air is a wasteful horsepower draw verses Vintage Air's with 100% recirculated air through evaporator.
hotrodac
jamyers
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 7:04 am

Re: Classic car ac help

Post by jamyers »

Nothing wrong with the Buick evaporator, heater core, and fan per se, assuming yours are in good shape.

Keep in mind that the Buick system used a TXZ and POA, and the newer system uses a Cycling Compressor with an Orifice Tube.
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