Air conditioning question.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Allens86 · 07-26-2010, 03:59 AM

I'm not too sure if this is the correct forum to post this at but ill give it a shot. So i just recently bought a 1950's under-dash air conditioner. It only came with the unit its self and I'm trying to make a list of the things I would need. So far I think I'll need a condenser and a compressor but im not sure what else. any help would be awsome. Here are a few pictures of it just to help give you an idea of what im working with.
-Allen

85Bowtie · 07-26-2010, 11:46 AM

You also need an evaporator, reciever drier, orifice tube and your Hi/Lo pressure lines.

Allens86 · 07-26-2010, 01:04 PM

Ok thank you. Would you happen to know of anywhere that sells all of the stuff I need?

85Bowtie · 07-26-2010, 04:45 PM

I'm really not sure. You could try Vintage Air. I got mine for my '85 from the GM dealer through a friend that worked there and got them for cost.

There might not be anything special about the parts needed to get it working as long as they fit your truck. But then again, I'm not 100% sure. Usually, the only thing really different is the R-12 to R-134A swap, but that's a matter of different fittings and should be included in the parts you purchase. But like I said, I'm not sure if there is a difference in hooking it up to that specific control box.

Prong · 07-26-2010, 05:46 PM

Try these guys: http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/
I needed a squirrel cage for an ARA unit, and these guys fixed me right up.

Allens86 · 07-27-2010, 02:54 AM

Thank you everyone

87chevy.com · 07-27-2010, 02:02 PM

docsblocks.com are great people to deal with. I ordered fittings, hoses and a/c blocks from them... awesome customer service
clint

primrrd · 07-27-2010, 08:19 PM

I think that unit wil have the evaporator as part of the assembly.
alot of those units were add on and used rubber hoses with ac specific rubber hose and screw style hose clamps.
most likey would use the old style expansion valve and in line drier. both pretty easily obtained.
Good luck bringing it to life.
I remember a truck my uncle had with one of those. on a hot day it would
fog the insides!

camshaftgsxr · 07-27-2010, 08:41 PM

While I'm in here, where might I purchase the duct work since my dad tossed it...

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 07-27-2010, 09:32 PM

No orifice tube as the expansion is the small 90 degree valve on the bottom.
You need a compressor and bracket for you engine a sanden 508
http://www.southernrods.com/categori...duct-2041.html
A drier
http://www.southernrods.com/categori...duct-2041.html

A condensor
http://www.southernrods.com/categori...roduct-27.html

A hose kit this one includes the drier. You will have to either change the expansion valve to an " o-ring " style hose end or source up a "flare" style hose fitting.
http://www.southernrods.com/categori...oduct-931.html

Good luck with the under dash If you have any question I have installed several of these over the years. Jay

primrrd · 07-27-2010, 10:20 PM

camshaft,
regarding duct work:
what you see is what you get on the underdash... the 2 vents on the unit
"is" the duct work. (: the ones i have seen will blow your hair back on high...
the nice thing about those was their universal fit and compact nature. You hang it under the dash, pipe in the high and low lines and blow cold!

07-26-2010, 03:59 AM	#1
Allens86 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Jose California Posts: 111	Air conditioning question.... I'm not too sure if this is the correct forum to post this at but ill give it a shot. So i just recently bought a 1950's under-dash air conditioner. It only came with the unit its self and I'm trying to make a list of the things I would need. So far I think I'll need a condenser and a compressor but im not sure what else. any help would be awsome. Here are a few pictures of it just to help give you an idea of what im working with. -Allen __________________ ...............................____ .................________-\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;.\|__(O)___\|____/_(O)\| 1986 Chevy Custom Deluxe Nothing like a square body http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0&ppuser=45891

07-26-2010, 11:46 AM	#2
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: Air conditioning question.... You also need an evaporator, reciever drier, orifice tube and your Hi/Lo pressure lines. __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73 Last edited by 85Bowtie; 07-26-2010 at 11:47 AM.

07-26-2010, 01:04 PM	#3
Allens86 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Jose California Posts: 111	Re: Air conditioning question.... Ok thank you. Would you happen to know of anywhere that sells all of the stuff I need? __________________ ...............................____ .................________-\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;.\|__(O)___\|____/_(O)\| 1986 Chevy Custom Deluxe Nothing like a square body http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0&ppuser=45891

07-26-2010, 04:45 PM	#4
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: Air conditioning question.... I'm really not sure. You could try Vintage Air. I got mine for my '85 from the GM dealer through a friend that worked there and got them for cost. There might not be anything special about the parts needed to get it working as long as they fit your truck. But then again, I'm not 100% sure. Usually, the only thing really different is the R-12 to R-134A swap, but that's a matter of different fittings and should be included in the parts you purchase. But like I said, I'm not sure if there is a difference in hooking it up to that specific control box. __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73 Last edited by 85Bowtie; 07-26-2010 at 04:46 PM.

07-26-2010, 05:46 PM	#5
Prong Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: CO Posts: 475	Re: Air conditioning question.... Try these guys: http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/ I needed a squirrel cage for an ARA unit, and these guys fixed me right up.

07-27-2010, 02:54 AM	#6
Allens86 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Jose California Posts: 111	Re: Air conditioning question.... Thank you everyone __________________ ...............................____ .................________-\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;.\|__(O)___\|____/_(O)\| 1986 Chevy Custom Deluxe Nothing like a square body http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...0&ppuser=45891

07-27-2010, 02:02 PM	#7
87chevy.com BMW & ASE Master Certified Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,266	Re: Air conditioning question.... docsblocks.com are great people to deal with. I ordered fittings, hoses and a/c blocks from them... awesome customer service clint __________________ 1987 Silverado - L83 5.3 w/ 6L80e ,A/C,P/W,P/L,TILT, HID projectors, Wilwood C-10 Pro Spindles w/ 2018 silverado front brakes & C-5 Corvette Rear Disc Brakes 1999 BMW 528i - 5.7 LS1 w/ 4l60e, Ford 8.8 IRS w31 spline posi & FX-r projector retrofit New project: 2006 BMW x5 6cyl AWD to L83 6l80e 4wd to 2WD / RWD A poor man buy's it twice finally got my domain name back, 87chevy.com.... site rework in progress

07-27-2010, 08:19 PM	#8
primrrd Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: houston, tx Posts: 323	Re: Air conditioning question.... I think that unit wil have the evaporator as part of the assembly. alot of those units were add on and used rubber hoses with ac specific rubber hose and screw style hose clamps. most likey would use the old style expansion valve and in line drier. both pretty easily obtained. Good luck bringing it to life. I remember a truck my uncle had with one of those. on a hot day it would fog the insides!

07-27-2010, 08:41 PM	#9
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: Air conditioning question.... While I'm in here, where might I purchase the duct work since my dad tossed it... __________________

07-27-2010, 09:32 PM	#10
Big Port Jimmy 6 Addicted to Rust Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Abbeville SC Posts: 1,030	Re: Air conditioning question.... No orifice tube as the expansion is the small 90 degree valve on the bottom. You need a compressor and bracket for you engine a sanden 508 http://www.southernrods.com/categori...duct-2041.html A drier http://www.southernrods.com/categori...duct-2041.html A condensor http://www.southernrods.com/categori...roduct-27.html A hose kit this one includes the drier. You will have to either change the expansion valve to an " o-ring " style hose end or source up a "flare" style hose fitting. http://www.southernrods.com/categori...oduct-931.html Good luck with the under dash If you have any question I have installed several of these over the years. Jay __________________ Current trucks: (48 GMC100 320 inliner) Gone (48 Suburban in pieces) Sold 87 GMC CCSB 5.3 4l60E Daily Driver ECTA National record holder XO/PP We never really grow up, we just learn how to act in public.

07-27-2010, 10:20 PM	#11
primrrd Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: houston, tx Posts: 323	Re: Air conditioning question.... camshaft, regarding duct work: what you see is what you get on the underdash... the 2 vents on the unit "is" the duct work. (: the ones i have seen will blow your hair back on high... the nice thing about those was their universal fit and compact nature. You hang it under the dash, pipe in the high and low lines and blow cold! Last edited by primrrd; 07-27-2010 at 11:54 PM. Reason: bad spellur

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