Here are some photos of my build:
http://s222.photobucket.com/user/turbof ... t=6&page=1
These parts came from everywhere. I remember the most expensive part was the compressor. I had to go with a shorter Sanden compressor (can't remember the model number) rather than the standard 508 unit (which I already had two of) in order to clear the turbocharger. For some reason this compressor was actually more expensive than a 508. I have no idea why.
The evaporator unit says it's rated at 15000 BTUs. Since it was made in China, I kind of wonder if they are overstating it's capacity. The system works well on R134a and blows 45F air out the vents when it's in the 90s. Which is comparable to my 2003 Subaru on recirc mode. But I have seen other factory systems that blow colder air.
The main problem is the car is a convertible and it poorly insulated (yet the heater works great) so I have to run the AC on full blast. I took some of that bubble insulation and covered it with black fabric and glued it to the underside of the vinyl top. Before, I aimed a heat pen at the inside of the top one day and it was 140F! The cover that goes around the gear shifter get's hot enough to fry an egg on so I put some of that stuff around the gear shifter as well.
And there is not a driver's side outlet vent so the air has to just basically recirculate within the cabin. OH and whoever it sitting in the passenger seat freezes.
But I can ride around in shorts and a tee shirt in 90 degree weather and not break a sweat. I stay comfortable but if the car was better insulated, the system would do better.
The largest condenser I could fit was a 12X20.
I made one mistake. The fitting at the bottom of the condenser goes to the compressor and the fitting coming off the top goes to the dryer/receiver instead of the other way around like it should be. I did not catch this mistake when I was planning this project out until it was too late. However the system seems to work just fine. I pulled a vacuum on the system for about 30 minutes then put a full can of 134a and oil in it to start with and monitored the temperature then slowly added some more until the temperature stopped cooling at 45F. I asked an AC tech about this and this is what he suggested since I had no idea what the capacity was.
So I'm wanting to put an air conditioning system on my 68 Ford Fairlane. My previous project has left me with some questions.
When it comes to AC systems, bigger is better. I have more room to work with on the Ford but I'm faced with the same issue I have with my Fiat. The evaporator unit.
I have a unit that was installed on Fords back in the 1960s (not sure if it's any good) but it won't fit due to the space between the driveshaft tunnel and dashboard. I'm limited to about 5.5".
Looks like this system:
BTW, I'm assuming this was some sort of dealer add-on system you could have installed through the dealership. Did this things cool all that well to begin with?
I found a system which says produces 22,000 BTUs. I decided to make a mock-up out of cardboard based on the measuremens just to see how it would look.
- Evaporater unit.jpg (54.56 KiB) Viewed 5984 times
I can't seem to find any systems that are less than 13" deep. The one above measures about 11.5" deep and in protrudes from the dash about 3" more than I'd like for it to.
Two more ideas.
Remove the stock heater box and go with a heat and cool system and run duct-work to vents. A little bit more work involved but there is room behind the dashboard for ducting.
Second idea. If I recall the air conditioning/heater on my 1996 Ford Explorer was mounted in the engine compartment on the passenger side and channeled air through the firewall through ducts. I could use one of these. I think it would fit.
Then again, I could go with one of these smaller 15,000 BTU units and mount in the center of the dash. Once again it's 14" deep so it's going to stick out past the dashboard more like the mock-up I made:
Although the Fairlane is not a convertible and is somewhat better insulated than my Fiat, I'm concerned trying to cool the interior of a car this size with a 15K BTU system is just not going to cool very well.
I do have an aftermarket evaporator unit I pulled from a Fiat Spider a friend was parting out. I'm pretty sure it would definitely fit under the dash but I think it's even smaller. Like perhaps 7000 BTUs.
Although the car is in good condition to be a 50 years old, it is not a show car. It's a driver. I don't want something that looks stupid but don't care if it doesn't look period correct. As long as it looks like it fits.
Every now and then factory A/C systems for the 68/69 pop up on Ebay and of course they go for big bucks which I am not going to spend.
One last idea. I've made allot of custom parts of fiberglass. I could use a donor system and construct my own slim line box out of fiberglass to conform to the underside of the dash. Mount the evaporator horizontally. Allot of priming and sanding (time) would be required to make it look nice.
Anybody got any ideas on this one?
