Thread: what to use for cheap A/C

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i'm trying to get all the fabricating done on the inside of the 53 right now and i was wondering if any one knew of any good salvage yard heat / AC units that are simple and compact that would work good in a rod. i have a rear unit out of a van right now but the only place i can find that it would fit decent is under the seat, which would be neet but it would involve alot of piping and screwing around with making vent controls, and i'm getting lazy. a vintage air system or the likes would be nice but i'm being a tight butt right now

I used to make out just fine with a 4-60 unit. Roll down 4 windows and get her up to 60.

Originally posted by techinspector1
I used to make out just fine with a 4-60 unit. Roll down 4 windows and get her up to 60.

i noticed the " i used to " in your response. it sounds like you have A/C now

Good question Chevy5. I am wanting to know the same thing, those vintage air systems are WAY too much money for almost anyone. Rolling the windows down work's unless you are dressed up in a long sleeve shirt with a tie and black pants and you end up somewhere smelling like something just died under your arm pits and bottom end (and no not the bottom end of your engine either).

Here ya go..... www.classicair.com N/N

You might want to read the good tips at the front of the Vintage Air catalog...... vintageair.com

They tell you about sizing a condenser and compressors. Using this, you can source your condenser and compressor from local suppliers (junque resellers, auto stores, etc) and then purchase the evaporator unit from someone. The under dash Vintage Air evap lists for under $300. I realize that there is an argument made about a complete kit being matched....but you can do it.

I built one for a 350 Chevy using a late model truck compressor (96-99 since I had a serpentine belt) and a condenser that was the biggest one that I could get in front of the radiator. I bought a evap and dryer from Vintage Air. Thing works great. Here in Tucson, we need a one speed blower since HIGH is the only setting.

mike

All this AC stuff is VERY expensive. I wish there were a way to go get a unit out of another car at a junkyard but sure that is not possible so looks like you have to go and buy one of these almost one thousand dollar rip off kits from Vintage. Maybe they aren't rip off's but prices are way too high. They can afford to set em high I guess because not many AC companies for hot rods for many people to go to.

I lucked out and found a used complete Vintage Air system on E-Bay last year, won it and was less than $200 with shipping, guy was restoring a 65 El Camino and was putting all the factory stuff in it....

Originally posted by techinspector1
I used to make out just fine with a 4-60 unit. Roll down 4 windows and get her up to 60.

The cheapest is an ice cube in yer' pocket ............... Upgrade to a plactic zip lock bag if you don't like the wet look.

You also need to watch what type of compressor is used compared to the rest of the system. Some are not compatable.

Or ya could get one of those old swamp coolers that ya put ice in, then it hangs on the window and air blows over the ice into the car (LOL)

Originally posted by HWORRELL
Or ya could get one of those old swamp coolers that ya put ice in, then it hangs on the window and air blows over the ice into the car (LOL)

Can it B color matched to the vehicle?

Originally posted by pro70z28
Can it B color matched to the vehicle?

Certainly !!!!!!! or sortanly, yuk,yuk

Kewl......... a.........uummm.....Cool.

Originally posted by DennyW
I'm just using an add on evaporator for my truck. The condensor is out of a car that was close to the radiator size. And, the compressor is off another car, the one that will fit on the lower pass side of the block. I will run a high-low safty shut-off, and that's about it. Total investment 30.00. The evaporator costs a little more, I won it off ebay, hahaha. But, it was the style I wanted. Variable speed blower, and temp settings.

i never really thought about having a seperate heater and A/C unit, i may look into that. now i just wish i hadn't hacked up my original heater unit trying to stuff an evaporator in there with the heater core . some things work on paper but not in real life.

ps. i'm going to pry the car cover off the T/A tonight and get you those carb numbers