air conditioning - circa 1968

Brian
There's good news and bad news. The good news is that you can have cold ac in vintage F cars. The bad news is that to get it you must sh it can the original systems and replace EVERYTHING except the ducts. The best systems to use IMHO are found at places like Summit that are used in street rods. This won't work at the Concors but it will keep you cold and these systems can be installed in a very sanitary way. Sal installed one in my MK-IV that the Judges at Pebble didn't comment on.
Best.

 

Bryan,

I hope that someone posts some helpful info on your question. I'd like to get my air conditioning working better on my 330.

You can still get freon that's been reclaimed. At some point, though, I think it makes sense to convert to R-134a. You already seem to know more about it than I do.

I certainly hope that someone helps you out here.

--Matt

 

Hate to throw in a counterpoint but the ORIGINAL A/C in my 330 works perfectly. It's always comfortably cool. I've had the car since 1975 and I opened the system up once, when I serviced the radiator. I then fabricated some special backets that allow radiator removal without opening the A/C. Even the belts and hoses are original (160,000 miles). The only service I do is a "charge" once a year. I use the regular Freon that K-mart used to sell before we were all "saved" from the evils of the stuff.
If yours is the same as mine, it will have a two-cylinder York compressor, same as used in mid-sixties U.S. luxury cars. The compressor has an oil sump.
Any shop familiar with the older systems should be able to service it. Keep in mind that the more modern systems employ Schrader automatic (one-way) valves while our oldies use Dill vales. They must be manually opened and have left-hand threads.
Don't get discouraged - you should be able to properly set yours up.
Bob Z.

 

Thank you, Bob, for the excellent (and encouraging) post!

 

Napolis, I have also heard that you may need to update your alternator to pump more juice. Plus, I have also heard also installing new in-line fans to give more push. Any thoughts.

Thx

 

DRIVE YOU CAR - DON'T MAKE LOVE TO IT - well said.

Dr Tax - you're right on both counts. Here's what I did on my GTC:
I replaced the original Lucas fans (they wouldn't blow out a candle) with two junkyard fans from a FIAT 124. Never overheats - never goes above 195F.
When driving at night in the rain with the A/C on, the original (Lucas) aternator would not keep up with the car's power requirements. I replaced it with a $50.00/55 amp single wire alternator/built-in regulator from JC Whitney. It took one evening to fabricate the bracketry and I was in business. I did that in 1990 and all I've done since is replace the drive belt.
[I have been criticized for using non-original parts. Most criticizm has come from people who worship thier cars and do not drive them. The Ferrari is a drivers car - period. It's meant to be driven and mine is. The only thing I will not expose ot to is salt and downtown parking garages. In fact, I tend to keep it away from city traffic - much more fun on the open road!!]
I do plan on rebuilding the engine when it gets to 200,000 miles.

Bryanp - I don't know where you live but if you're near me in S/E PA, bring the car over and we'll check out the A/C. I still have the equipment.

Bob Z

 

The trick I've found is amps at idle. To get more also over speed the alt. with a larger pulley. There are a lot of fine small alt.'s with very HO .

 

Bob Z.,

You mention that you are in SE PA. Is your GTC a custom yellow with a bit of a greenish hue to it? If so I think I met you at the New Hope auto show a few years ago.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Hi, Art!!
Yep - that was me - probably judging. The yellow is actually a GM color - 1975 Corvette bright yellow. Believe it or not, I matched it perfectly from the yellow on the horn button.
Bob Z

 

By the way, the alternator is #ZX146048X, $69.95 from JC Whitney.
Now rated 60 amps. 80 amp version is $10.00 more.

Bob Z

 

Bob, thank you for your generous offer - where in SE PA are you? I'm in Arlington, VA. I have contacted the guys at my local hot rod shop whose work I respect who also take care of the AC on some classic Mustangs and the like. If they can't/won't do it, I''l contact you.

Hi, Bryan - I live north of Philadelphia, near Lansdale.
Good move, updating your cooling fans and alternator. Did your car have one or two alternators?
I seriously doubt that the compressor put any "shrapnel" in the system, although anything's possible.
Your idea of modernizing the system makes perfect sense. I know people who have converted to the new, non-controlled refrigerant, with excellent results - HOWEVER, I have been warned not to do this with our old (piston-type) compressors, as there is some sort of lubrication incompatability. If I ever update mine, I will change just the compressor and reciever/dryer - the rest stays as it seems to be in perfect shape.
As I stated before, any competent shop will have no problem servicing your system - just remember the Dill valves - many technicians have never seen them.
Bob Z

 

James, wouldn't the alternator have to have a SMALLER than factory pulley in order to make it turn faster? Or retain the same alternator pulley, but switch to a larger drive pulley? (all in the interest of increasing the drive ratio and therefore increase the alternator RPM).

 

Yes I meant a larger drive pulley. This also works with water pumps as well and helps with engine cooling at idle. Have you ever tried this with your cars?

 

James, you're assuming that my cars actually run. Project cars don't run!!!
But after I had the 301 engine rebuilt in my old '79 Pontiac, I noticed that the temperature gauge was running a little higher. So I installed a new 3 row radiator core and switched to a 160 degree thermostat. That helped cool things back down. If I ever actually get any of my projects running, I was planning to install an external oil cooling radiator on my '66 Corvette and switching to one of the repro radiator cores that have 4 rows. Of course why stop there. Add an external transmission cooler. I never really understood the philosophy of those whimpy transmission coolers that are integral with the regular cooling radiator. Seems to me, that just insures that your transmission is cooking at the same temperature as the engine coolant! At least my 95 GMC truck has an auxiliary trans cooler.