Hey folk, Kinda new hew and really new to a/c stuff so bear with me. My newly acquired 69 had optional a/c as far as I can tell. It's got the controls for a/c and I thing the correct firewall unit still there.

The fan is is using a toggle switch to turn off on that's a different issue....

I'm hoping I can piece it back together. This is for a daily driver . Where do I start?

1: Do I try to piece old stuff back together?? if so Is there a list I can go by??

1.5 can I use the stuff from a different vintage chevy car/truck?

2: Can I use a newer unit from more modern chevy? Take it all??

3: Go with a vintage air type unit.

Like many I'm on a budget I'd like to stay under $300 but understand if it's not possible. But the more fun this vehicle is to drive the longer it will stay around.


Thanks

bob

Hey folk, Kinda new hew and really new to a/c stuff so bear with me. My newly acquired 69 had optional a/c as far as I can tell. It's got the controls for a/c and I thing the correct firewall unit still there.

The fan is is using a toggle switch to turn off on that's a different issue....

I'm hoping I can piece it back together. This is for a daily driver . Where do I start?

1: Do I try to piece old stuff back together?? if so Is there a list I can go by??

1.5 can I use the stuff from a different vintage chevy car/truck?

2: Can I use a newer unit from more modern chevy? Take it all??

3: Go with a vintage air type unit.

Like many I'm on a budget I'd like to stay under $300 but understand if it's not possible. But the more fun this vehicle is to drive the longer it will stay around.


Thanks

bob


I have a similar question. My 69 came with factory air and I have all but the engine compartment stuff. Certainly we need to go with R134 stuff nowadays. I can piece mine back but I wonder what the under the dash kit will do for me. The one from OPGI. I rather make it work the right way but what do I do to make it R134 and where do I get the parts?

Not to hi jack the original questions above I think this works for both of us. Thanks

No problem, ?I just looked at ac firewall delete covers and my box doesn't look like the pic. I wonder if the PO removed everything.

It has heat.....

bob

Oh, I think you should go with vintage air and send me all that old junk you have under the hood.. :)


bob

I didn't start with a factory air car. I put a Vintage Air unit in my 66. I love how uncluttered my engine compartment is, with the unit in the dash, instead. I have a 71 Chevy Pickup with a 402 and it had factory air (that didn't work). That huge unit hanging on the firewall made it a real pain to change plugs. I decided to put a Vintage Air system in there, too. 134, all new parts, and easy engine access work for me.

I am restoring mine to original form and had the evaporator,heaterbox, wiring and controls. I am using 70 brackets for the time being as 69's are so high. I am buying:

Compressor
Hose Kit w/muffler
Liquid Line
Drier
Exp. Valve
POA Update Kit
Heater valve
Jumper Tube
Condenser
Oil

It chokes the crap out of $800, but that is reality on restoring the original. It will be more if the evaporator core will not hold pressure. The option is a A/C Delete , not a heater delete.

I had my '69 vintage parts refurbished and set up for R134. For a compressor I will be using a Sanden instead of the original axial style. My evaporator was still in very good condition. Just had it cleaned and pressure checked, everything checked out fine. Condenser was another story, but them, these do take a beating.

Can a/c parts be checked prior to installation? I have quite a few pick n pulls locally and there is an antique junk yard a few hundred yards from me.. I'm in the north east so air is not a huge issue like in the south. So lots of folks pitch their A/C if they swap motors or want to gain HP's??. Anyway, can I assume a most of the parts from a mid 70's chevy should swap over? I'm thinking of getting a whole setup from a fullsize chevy or even a truck and convert it to 134

Or is it easier to get a setup from the mid 90's complete and graft it in. Remember this is only going to be a driver. PO did a few thing that would make it hard for me to do a full resto, but then I wouldn't want to drive it..

thanks for all the input

bob

Using used A/C parts is not a lot different than putting a pair of dice in your hands and chunkin' 'em to the other end of the table.

If I was you I would go with the vintage air system. You will be alot happier with it, then with a pieced together factory unit. JMO

Trick is to find someone that is getting rid of all the a/c parts on their car. I have a '69 original air car that has everything inside and on the firewall but was missing all the hoses, lines, mounts, and compressor. I found a fellow TC'er selling everything off his car in the classifieds here and I got everything for $200.00 shipped to me. I didn't do anything special to it for the 134 conversion. Just chemical washed everything out, changed the fittings and O'rings, and filled it with 134 oil and charge. Has been working for 6 months now pretty good, especially for being a 36 year old system.

I am restoring mine to original form and had the evaporator,heaterbox, wiring and controls. I am using 70 brackets for the time being as 69's are so high. I am buying:

Compressor
Hose Kit w/muffler
Liquid Line
Drier
Exp. Valve
POA Update Kit
Heater valve
Jumper Tube
Condenser
Oil

It chokes the crap out of $800, but that is reality on restoring the original. It will be more if the evaporator core will not hold pressure. The option is a A/C Delete , not a heater delete.

John, were you happy with the quality of the repro AC stuff? I am going the same route on my 70.

Thanks,
Tony

Tony I seem to battle a different issue every day on this but I know it will be worth it. Here is where I have gotten my stuff.

Old Air Products Ft. Worth,Texas
Compressor
Liquid Line
POA Update kit
Jumper Line
Heater Valve

Local A/C shop
Drier
Expansion Valve

E- Bay
Condenser

I am using my original hose as it cleaned up nicely. Before I bought a new one for $170+ try John @ 402-674-3147 for a nice used one. If I can help you let me know. If you do not have an assembly manual get one.

Using used A/C parts is not a lot different than putting a pair of dice in your hands and chunkin' 'em to the other end of the table.
john's a hundred % right on this one , if you throw the dice, then throw them right take apart the entire system, clean and replace all rubber one could easy spend 800 to 1000 grand making them right,, you miss one o ring and you will be sorry,, a quick story, im at a stop light it 11 am it already 100 plus outside im kicking back in a nice cool chevelle a/c working great i tap myself on the back for my great repair work then boom i release all my freon, from a bad o ring, well let me tell you i destroyed the ozone layer above our rown, it was over hundred degrees for the next three months, hottest year on record so if you try this yourself , becarefull you might fry the planet

Tony I seem to battle a different issue every day on this but I know it will be worth it. Here is where I have gotten my stuff.

Old Air Products Ft. Worth,Texas
Compressor
Liquid Line
POA Update kit
Jumper Line
Heater Valve

Local A/C shop
Drier
Expansion Valve

E- Bay
Condenser

I am using my original hose as it cleaned up nicely. Before I bought a new one for $170+ try John @ 402-674-3147 for a nice used one. If I can help you let me know. If you do not have an assembly manual get one.

Thanks a lot John. I gutted my A/C when I bought the car 12 years ago (I was 17 then, what can I say). Now that the car is mostly restored, it looks pretty ridiculous with the factory air missing. I'm sure I will be posting more as I start this project.
Thanks,
Tony