Headers & A/C opinions please!

[Jhogan63]

I am ready to purchase headers & A/C system for my '63. I'm looking for opinions on the best shorty headers & compete A/C heater setup. My 63' has small block 350 w/power steering. Any help/ pictures of setups your happy with or ones I should avoid would be appreciated.
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[63burban4x4]

X2!

[63MOUSE]

i have a 350 in my 63 also. i recommend vintage air, just make sure u have a good radiator to support the extra load in the heat

[Jhogan63]

Thanks. What radiator are you running with your vintage air setup?
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[63MOUSE]

i currently have a u.s. radiator, but i am looking to upgrade, Arizona summers can be brutal. a/c is a must and i dont want to over heat .. looking at all options, all radiators

[63burban4x4]

not meaning to hijack, but seems on topic.....can anyone with experience with either or both , discuss the difference between Vintageair and Classicauto air? I've looked at both on line, but don't know enough to decide which is best.....them that's been there prolly know best! Best fit & finish, dependability?

[63MOUSE]

i have vintage and my brother has old air, he will be charging the system soon and i can compare and let u know which i think is best. we are taking his 65 to brothers in july

[markeb01]

It’s only my opinion, but if you live in Minnesota you’ll be much happier if you keep a factory heater and go with some type of knee freezer for the air conditioning. The tiny little heaters that are designed into the aftermarket A/C systems are fine for Texas or California, but in an environment where it actually drops below freezing in winter they don’t have enough capacity to be of much value.

If I were to buy an A/C system again I’d go with Vintageair. I had an Old Air Hurricane system and it never worked right. After spending over $1,000 on the system and hundreds of dollars more at local shops trying to get it to work right, I ended up yanking and pitching the entire setup in the garbage.

[63MOUSE]

i agree with mark , i would go with vintage air, they are more but they have a good rep. u see them in everything. i have no idea about your winters but i compare mine to a newer car. the heater and air in my truck works better than my 2005 magnum, remember u are just heating and cooling the cab of a truck.

[61K10]

i had vintage air in my nomad (was an older design) and the heater worked better than the stock heater. being a wagon it was tuff to heat and cool, not like a truck cab. ck V/air stuff out first. others are cheaper (cheaply made also) just be cool-------

[CdM]

Originally Posted by markeb01

It’s only my opinion, but if you live in Minnesota you’ll be much happier if you keep a factory heater and go with some type of knee freezer for the air conditioning. The tiny little heaters that are designed into the aftermarket A/C systems are fine for Texas or California, but in an environment where it actually drops below freezing in winter they don’t have enough capacity to be of much value.

If I were to buy an A/C system again I’d go with Vintageair. I had an Old Air Hurricane system and it never worked right. After spending over $1,000 on the system and hundreds of dollars more at local shops trying to get it to work right, I ended up yanking and pitching the entire setup in the garbage.

I think your opinion holds some weight mark

Grab some block hugger headers and a fridget knee chiller set up.. cheapest way to go imo

[Jhogan63]

My '63 gets put away in storage for the winter so I'm not concerned about heat as much as a good A/C system. Looks like I'm going with the Vintage Air setup. What do you recomend for a good radiator? I currently have the stock radiator/tranny cooler. Regarding headers...any pros/cons with longtubes? Fitment issues? I want to get a nice set of ceramic coated that are proven to fit without modifications and seal up nice. Thanks for the help!

[63burban4x4]

great comments! unlike jhogan63, I will be driving my suburban in the winter. It can be zero here, and I like to be WARM! My son had a 65 suburban, and that truck was drafty and FREEZING in the winter.....I always thought it was partly due to the heater being designed for the single seat cab, and the suburban being so big. (and crappy weatherstripping) I plan to replace all the weatherstripping in my '63, but I've also been sitting on a schoolbus heater unit I thought I might install in the rear...haven't really thought that through, but figured if I could run enough hot water through it, she'd be warm enough to put me to sleep! It ran off a regular Ford 371V8 in the bus....and those things are HUGE inside!
I'm also addicted to AC in the summer, (probably because I'm OLD) and plan to do some summer traveling in this truck, pulling a camper, so I want GOOD working AC and I'm willing to pay for it! Sounds like the VintageAir is the way to go, but does it replace the existing heater? -Ed

[TR65]

I would recommend the Vintageair GENIV Magnum. I have used it for more than a year now with very good results. It is a big unit but the electronic controls are excellent. The heater is very good I think mainly because the fan is much more powerful than the stock one. The rig I have puts out 42 degree cold air at max fan speed in hot SC weather.

Here is the thread on my install. Maybe it can give your some ideas.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468521

Good luck,

TR

[63burban4x4]

Wow, TR65, that's a beautiful installation. The first idea it gives me is that it's far above MY skill and ability level, since I'm not a machinist and don't have access to the equipment........I'm going to have to seek some help with that. I also have absolutely no understanding of A/C mechanics, but I think I do have someone I can tap for that part. One thing I do know, I want this system to work good, and don't want to start out with a junk system just to try to save money. My truck does have a more original style 350, and I don't care about the compressor being mounted up high, hopefully it'll make that part a bit simpler using more common parts.... Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge! I'm printing your install thread to bring to my A/C friend to show him......I'm sure I'll see $$$ signs in his eyes! -Ed
Again, I didn't mean to hijack jhogan's thread, but this does seem to be on topic

[scottofksu]

Originally Posted by TR65

I would recommend the Vintageair GENIV Magnum. I have used it for more than a year now with very good results. It is a big unit but the electronic controls are excellent. The heater is very good I think mainly because the fan is much more powerful than the stock one. The rig I have puts out 42 degree cold air at max fan speed in hot SC weather.

Here is the thread on my install. Maybe it can give your some ideas.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468521

Good luck,

TR

Mind. Blown. TR, you do beautiful work!

[jjzepplin]

That is some real nice work!

[jhrusk]

I am not sure about a 63 but vintage air makes the Gen4 surefit kits for the 64-66,I have not installed mine just yet but I am very pleased with the components.I would recomend sending Way2Lo2 (Boris) a PM and see if he can help you.

[Scottshotrods]

Vintage air Gen IV sure fit for your truck 100% for sure.This only the ac kit on the market that is set up as a fly-by-wire fully electronic servo motor controls with no cables or capillary tube to route.There are plenty more benefits to this kit over others on the market.

The best thing on this we sell these kits everyday of the week to members on this site.All of the members have been very happy with there products and our service.
If you interested in getting the best kit out there and save some $$$$ let us know and we will take care of you for sure.

You can e-mail us or p/m us or call us

justin@scottshotrods.com
scotts@scottshotrods.com
(805)485-0382