Thread: adding A/C

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Does anyone know how difficult it would be to add A/C to a non A/C 1965 GTO? I know there are kits out there for older cars. am looking to buy a 1965 GTO, but it is difficult to find what I want with A/C. Thanks, Paul

It's not that tough for a first-timer, particularly if you will be installing a "hang down" evaporator under the dash. I never did put in one of the more attractive ones that are designed to look more like the factory jobs. That would be a more complex undertaking.

I had good luck with them.

Jim

I noticed vintage air does not list a kit for the 1965 GTO. Any other good manufacturers?

I would suggest calling Vintage Air and asking..... a GTO is just a Chevelle with a different engine, isnt it? They should have experienced this question before so they know if they will fit.

Otherwise, I have pulled the factory air out of a car in the junkyard and fitted it to the same make....you might find a 65 Tempest with air and could pirate the air.....

mike in tucson

I'll second what Mike says. Ask Vintage Air to tell you the way to go.

The ones I installed were all (four of them) made by an outfit called Arctic Car and were manufactured in Fort Worth. I put two on slant sixes, one on a 318, and one on a Chevy I6. I don't remember any particular problems.

They're no longer around, and I don't know whether they were bought out by another company, or what.

Jim

I got the setup for my 53 Chevy here: http://www.rainbowproductsonline.com/

The evaporator I got was compact and fit easily behind my dash. As for the brackets for my old straight six. I just patterened those using some old balsa wood and then went to a local machine shop to have the brackets made from steel.
It took me a weekend to get everything going.

If you are looking to save cash, head down to your local junkyard and try to find a car with the same size motor as yours. Then you can pull everything off. That is what I did years ago on a 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88.

do the aftermarket A/C units cool down the air very well? Being here in NC, it is pretty humid/hot so a good A/C system is important.

I looked at the Rainbow page, what would be a good BTU rating for an A/C unit?

It really depends on the size of the car.
I actually got this one for my 53 Chevy 4dr Sedan, and it did pretty good: 10750K: Compact Indash Remote Heat/Air Evaporator
17,000 BTU Heat/Air AC Unit COMPLETE KIT

Though not as cool as I would have liked. They have other kits like the HyperCool II for larger cars.