AC or No AC

[eldubb440]

Yes to AC. If your worried about power, turn it off to blow the doors off that Ford.

you can dust the ford with a/c on.... just sayin

 

[toolmanmike]

I added cruise to my 65 Coronet out of a imperial. It looked factory with the push button on the end of the turn signal arm.

View attachment 1817293

Perfect.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Yes to AC. As I get older I appreciate the creature comforts the new cars have. Cruise on a 4 hour trip would be something else that I would enjoy.

Simpler alternative to cruise control. I bought the hand control unit I installed in my GTX for $500 on Ebay. The design has been around since the '60s, and bolted right in with no modifications to the car. Like the factory A/C, I typically don't use it on the way to a show, but both are nice to have on the return trip.

 

[UncleAl]

If you had an option to add air conditioning to a big block car, would you? How much hp would you lose? How is initial investment and maintenance cost (ac unit, pulleys, belts, hoses, charging annually)? And in the end, is it worth it?

Year One is having a sale on the whole AC system. I think it was around $2450 for my '69 Charger, which was a factory AC car when assembled. AC system was missing when I got it, but the firewall stubs for freon lines are there as are the dash controls. I mention this as the systems they offer are with or without factory air, so watch which one you pick.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

I see the 'hidden' aspect coming alive. I know a smart fellow with a 1957 Chrysler long, low, smoke /silver colored 2 door coupe. It was a POS with a HEMI, anyway it's getting an electric AC for of all things from a Pr1u$. hidden under the package shelf! Just needed to upgrade to a Powermaster alternator.

I'm really tempted to play with one of these, it was even the original plan for my Coronet but since I need the heat part of HVAC too, I might as well get a full system. Maybe the next project car....

 

[Armyvet25]

AC for real men

 

[Kern Dog]

I think that there are factors in play that greatly influence the decision.
Age of the car owner, whether the car owner's WIFE is involved, the weather in your region and the intended use of the car.
If you're over 50 with a wife that you'd like to join you, it is almost a certainty that A/C is a must.
Being able to keep reasonably dry and their hair neat (with windows rolled up) is a factor.
If you're racing, it only clutters the engine bay and slows you down.
I used to look at factory A/C cars and assume that the owner didn't care about performance....as if they got old and too comfortable to prioritize speed over comfort.
Aftermarket A/C systems can work great while being smaller and less of a parasitic draw.
If you build the engine with a few more cubes, you'll not be disappointed with the power output by having the A/C up front. It is nice to go on cruises and trips and keep a dry shirt.

 

[kiwigtx]

I've watched the auction results on restored factory A/C cars closely, and it doesn't seem to add anything.

It might not add value, but it can decrease the amount of time needed to sell.

 

[Dennis H]

My old tired ride does not seem to have cooling side affects. Just like the clutch-cycling. That minor bump is in no way negative to the idle of a torquey 440. AC is a must. Classic Auto Air.

 

[Some Car Guy]

Going down the road, when you kick the ac in, you feel it pull the engine down. Maybe an issue of the initial demand to roll the compressor as after that it’s not as noticeable. It doesn’t have the same zip accelerating, but no big deal.

The car does drive like it has a hundred pounds up high in the nose. My last car was a 383 4 speed and has a few lighter things like intake, headers, starter. Manual everything. This car has ps and the ac. Both have manual drums. You can feel that weight. One reason on my shelf is a mopar aluminum copy of the stock intake. I hope it makes the car feel better. That and bilsteins might make it handle like my old car that just felt great.

 

[451Mopar]

I should have mentioned, no noticable power difference with running the 505" stroker engine