Putting A/C in my 62 Belvedere....Finally!

[threewood]

I finally got off the fence and decided to put A/C in my 62 Belvedere. After looking at Classic Air and Vintage Air, I decided to go a less expensive route...Amazon Chinese A/C kit.

$575 complete to my door. Plus I bought an A/C line crimper to get the lines together. I already have the tools to pull vacuum and add in the required 12 Oz r134a.

Unwrapping.... picture of everything included.

First thing I did was fabricate a bracket for the compressor. I welded up a piece on the top of the factory alternator bracket. There was plenty of room. On the back, I bent up and welded in a tab.

The compressor, when bolted on in front of the bracket, lines up the nearest pulley with the crank and alternator.

I need to get a 2 groove crank pulley and idler Pulley to do it right. I have a web in the marketplace if anyone has anything.

I have the condenser set where I want it. It needs a bracket welded up on the passenger side.

Tomorrow I start running lines, cutting holes and crimping fittings. Stay tuned.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

The compressor is bigger than the Poly.. I mean has more horse power. Just kidding Looks like a fun job. Mad skills on the brackets my man looks great.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I finally got off the fence and decided to put A/C in my 62 Belvedere. After looking at Classic Air and Vintage Air, I decided to go a less expensive route...Amazon Chinese A/C kit.

$575 complete to my door. Plus I bought an A/C line crimper to get the lines together. I already have the tools to pull vacuum and add in the required 12 Oz r134a.

Unwrapping.... picture of everything included.
View attachment 1716454

I've used that same kit a few times now... For farm equipment.... A shaker plus a sweeper & a tractor with a cab... They work pretty well, especially in a small cab....

 

[threewood]

I've used that same kit a few times now... For farm equipment.... A shaker plus a sweeper & a tractor with a cab... They work pretty well, especially in a small cab....

Did you install the service ports on the compressor? I have them setup this way currently, which is technically correct. I was thinking of putting the high side after the condenser, before the drier. Keeping the low side on the compressor.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Did you install the service ports on the compressor? I have them setup this way currently, which is technically correct. I was thinking of putting the high side after the condenser, before the drier. Keeping the low side on the compressor.

High side I don't get to concerned about, I only use it for checking pressure... Low side I try to keep it as far from the compressor as i can.... When charging through the low side if any liquid hits the compressor it can damage the valves... So putting the port as far from the compressor as you can gives any liquid refrigerant time to change states...

 

[threewood]

High side I don't get to concerned about, I only use it for checking pressure... Low side I try to keep it as far from the compressor as i can.... When charging through the low side if any liquid hits the compressor it can damage the valves... So putting the port as far from the compressor as you can gives any liquid refrigerant time to change states...

The only option I have would be off of the evaporator. I only have two low side fittings, one on the evaporator and one on the compressor. A long hardline would be nice to put it near the firewall.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I'd put it near the evaporator.. GM, Ford & Mopar all put the low side port on the Accumulator on CCOT systems...

 

[threewood]

If I put it on the evaporator it will be in the passenger compartment footwell. It's a single, rubber hose with a fitting on either end.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

If I put it on the evaporator it will be in the passenger compartment footwell. It's a single, rubber hose with a fitting on either end.

I would probably consider adding an extra connection... Run a short hose from the evaporator long enough to exit the firewall then have a connection which would make it easier to get the evaporator fitting tight before installing the evaporator & give you a service port location in the engine compartment but away from the compressor...

 

[1 Wild R/T]

One of each, put the top one on the short hose since it's easier to pass through the firewall grommet..

 

[EARLY B]

 

[threewood]

Late start. I realized my liquid line would not be long enough if I kept the condenser fittings on the driver side. So out came the radiator to figure it out. To complicate matters, I also have a trans cooler in the way. So out comes the trans cooler.

Got the condenser re-mounted and few lines ran. Also mounted the drier on the pass side fender well. It's hot out so I'm taking a break.

 

[threewood]

I cut the holes in the firewall. Lines are ready to go in but I need to get two grommets for the holes first.

 

[808 Sport Fury]

Is it done?

 

[threewood]

No. Worked on irrigation and trench digging last weekend. I hope to get back at it tomorrow.

 

[threewood]

Buttoned up a few loose ends tonight. Cut, re-flared and attached the trans lines to the radiator (I removed the cooler), re-installed the fan, radiator and shroud. I installed orings on high side engine compartment fittings.

Tomorrow I hope to get the wiring done and inside buttoned up. I'm waiting on a beadlock fitting for the low side to move the service port away from the compressor.

 

[threewood]

Updates: Inside is complete. There are 3 wires to connect. Switched power, ground and evaporator.

I pulled the fuse panel and there just happened to be a slot for a/c. The system has a 12a inline fuse, so I added a solid brass tube to the fuse panel. Crimped on a connector and it looks like the other fuse connections.

Ground to the dashboard.

 

[threewood]

Update: engine compartment is wired. The harness is very simple and works great. I mounted the relay between the ballast and ignition box. Power wire went to the starter relay, ground under the ignition leg, compressor wire, switch on the drier (which is tied into the evaporator wire).

 

[threewood]

Pulling vacuum now. I need a 52" fan belt to get this kicked off.

 

[threewood]

Looking good! Pulled vacuum for an hour, held vac for an hour.