Factory A/C Advise / Opinions Please

[dryheat]

64 Polara - I would like to get some input/pictures from other members about their experiences with replacing the factory heater and A/C setup with an after market unit like the Vintage Air Gen IV or similar. I can't decide which way to go.

I know there are a lot of hurdles to overcome when attempting this … such as … location of the evap … compressor brackets … controls … etc …

Thanks …

 

[red 69 runner]

try these guys,I have factory air in my 69 rr and they are rebuilding my factory heater/ a/c box.I expect to get it back sometime this week I will post a pic as soon as I get it(it took 6 weeks)they also have retrofit systems for non factory a/c cars
http://www.classicautoair.com/

 

[capt Larry]

call Gary at classic air, I put a/c in my non a/c 69 coronet and the system works great, the instructions suck but a few phone calls to Gary made it almost painless. all in all, it was the best money I spent on the car as i live in Lake Havasu, Az. 130* in the shade

 

[dryheat]

Thanks guys.

I found the classic air site a while ago and if I decide to go that way I will use them. All of the vacuum switches will need to be redone as well since they did not survive the removal process intact. I found someone in Texas who can take care of that for me.
Ultimately I guess it will all come down to cost.

I would be curious to know a best guess on the classic air refurb and also if you went with a 134a or did you keep it R12?

 

[red 69 runner]

my final cost was $934.00 including shipping costs,that was for a refurbish job including re building my heat control valve and replacing the H pipe for the heater cores.my evaporator did not leak so it was just flushed out and re conditioned,I am going to use R-134A refrigerant when I get the rest of the money to buy the firewall forward kit.My car was missing the condenser and all the lines,still has the oem compressor mounted on the engine but I am going to use the newer sanden compressor.UPS tracking says it will be delivered today

 

[dryheat]

Thanks for th info Red. After more research I have decided to keep the existing system and get the unit refurbed. While I'm sure I could get a newer unit to fit and function but the controls would be problematic. I've decided I want to keep the interor looking as original as possible so retrofitting a new set of controls would probably require hacking up the dash too much.

I too will be converting it to 134 with a Sanden compressor and installing a drier with a binary safetly switch. I will also be removing / blocking off the fresh air intake setup.