Welp... for the past few weeks, I've been installing a new Vintage Air Gen IV system in my 55. I hesitated to do this for several reasons but finally decided it was time to pull the trigger and go for it. Below are a few notes that might bode informational to any of you considering this project.
I bought the unit from Wheels Of Time out of Mississippi. Gary had a good price (about 10% off "retail") The unit was dropped shipped directly from Vintage Air (VA).
* The boxes came within a week.. but the compressor box came the next day
* Everything from VA was neatly packaged except the hardware kit for the compressor bracket was wrong. One quick phone call and they sent the proper kit. I got it within 3 days. Suggest you double check everything on the packing list(s) before starting the job.
* The prep was pretty straight forward, by removing the glove compartment, ash tray, heater control unit, heater box, speaker V .. but the real kicker was removing the defrost duct. This was an absolute pain in the rear... especially on a "done" car like mine. I ended up pulling the speedo cluster and reaching in with a Sawzall to hack that bad boy in 3rd's. Then I reached in through the speaker V to get the other end cut.. I saw no other way to yard it out!
* Since I'm using a cross flow radiator I got the "universal condenser kit." this means the hoses need to be cut/mocked up for a custom fit. The hard lines for this kit run under the radiator. I had to cut the striker plate and vertical support bracket to make room for the condenser.
* I mounted the drier on the inside wheel well near the core support panel
* The condenser wasn't a real bolt on deal for me.. since I don't have a Griffin radiator, I had to fabricate brackets. I ended up pulling the radiator out and flopping it up on my work bench to get the condenser mounted.
* The next fun challenge was the compressor bracket. I had the VA unit powder coated and it wouldn't work with my Billet Specialties alternator bracket... (Homer voice.. DOOOAAAHHTT). $200 bucks later and I got two new brackets that would work together. I also needed to change the water pump cone/pulley to a two groove and the crank pulley as well.
* Next issue was the heater hose that comes out of the intake manifold (pass side) that required a 90 degree fitting. I ended up plugging one of the holes and had to remote mount of the fan off-on switch to the drivers side head.. For belts, I got Gates "green stripe" and it took about 4 trips to the parts store to get that "just right" length to keep the compressor and alternator close enough towards the center to avoid the tall AFR valve covers. The bracket system uses turnbuckles that I had to machine shorter to accomodate the compressor/alternator.
* Installing the evaporator under the dash is simply a two man job. I had a friend pull out on the lower part of the dash while I shoe-horned the thing up and in to place. Getting the two bolts started as no fun either.. but doable.
* Wiring was actually fairly easy.. but since my battery is in the trunk required a bunch more work extending two ground wires and one main 12v wire directly to the battery posts. The trinary switch wiring was not too bad and thanks to trifive.com I actually got a few pointers on the schematic. The directions for the switch were not too good for me.
* The heater control panel is converted to electronic which removes/replaces the cable system. The directions are clear and I spent one evening doing the conversion. Calibration is very easy and straight forward.
OH one lesson learned that was quite painfull.. Don't do like I did and use a cheap razor-knife to cut hoses... I attempted to do this until the blade broke in half causing a full-tilt stabbing of my left thumb.. we're taking blood on the ceiling, hot water heater and even the fender of the car... hummm next time I'll use hose cutters!!
All in all it was a fun project... but certainly a challenge as well. It took me many more hours than the 16 suggested in some of the material I read. I just got it back from the A/C shop where it was evacuated and charged up... and yes, it's COLD..!
I bought the unit from Wheels Of Time out of Mississippi. Gary had a good price (about 10% off "retail") The unit was dropped shipped directly from Vintage Air (VA).
* The boxes came within a week.. but the compressor box came the next day
* Everything from VA was neatly packaged except the hardware kit for the compressor bracket was wrong. One quick phone call and they sent the proper kit. I got it within 3 days. Suggest you double check everything on the packing list(s) before starting the job.
* The prep was pretty straight forward, by removing the glove compartment, ash tray, heater control unit, heater box, speaker V .. but the real kicker was removing the defrost duct. This was an absolute pain in the rear... especially on a "done" car like mine. I ended up pulling the speedo cluster and reaching in with a Sawzall to hack that bad boy in 3rd's. Then I reached in through the speaker V to get the other end cut.. I saw no other way to yard it out!
* Since I'm using a cross flow radiator I got the "universal condenser kit." this means the hoses need to be cut/mocked up for a custom fit. The hard lines for this kit run under the radiator. I had to cut the striker plate and vertical support bracket to make room for the condenser.
* I mounted the drier on the inside wheel well near the core support panel
* The condenser wasn't a real bolt on deal for me.. since I don't have a Griffin radiator, I had to fabricate brackets. I ended up pulling the radiator out and flopping it up on my work bench to get the condenser mounted.
* The next fun challenge was the compressor bracket. I had the VA unit powder coated and it wouldn't work with my Billet Specialties alternator bracket... (Homer voice.. DOOOAAAHHTT). $200 bucks later and I got two new brackets that would work together. I also needed to change the water pump cone/pulley to a two groove and the crank pulley as well.
* Next issue was the heater hose that comes out of the intake manifold (pass side) that required a 90 degree fitting. I ended up plugging one of the holes and had to remote mount of the fan off-on switch to the drivers side head.. For belts, I got Gates "green stripe" and it took about 4 trips to the parts store to get that "just right" length to keep the compressor and alternator close enough towards the center to avoid the tall AFR valve covers. The bracket system uses turnbuckles that I had to machine shorter to accomodate the compressor/alternator.
* Installing the evaporator under the dash is simply a two man job. I had a friend pull out on the lower part of the dash while I shoe-horned the thing up and in to place. Getting the two bolts started as no fun either.. but doable.
* Wiring was actually fairly easy.. but since my battery is in the trunk required a bunch more work extending two ground wires and one main 12v wire directly to the battery posts. The trinary switch wiring was not too bad and thanks to trifive.com I actually got a few pointers on the schematic. The directions for the switch were not too good for me.
* The heater control panel is converted to electronic which removes/replaces the cable system. The directions are clear and I spent one evening doing the conversion. Calibration is very easy and straight forward.
OH one lesson learned that was quite painfull.. Don't do like I did and use a cheap razor-knife to cut hoses... I attempted to do this until the blade broke in half causing a full-tilt stabbing of my left thumb.. we're taking blood on the ceiling, hot water heater and even the fender of the car... hummm next time I'll use hose cutters!!
All in all it was a fun project... but certainly a challenge as well. It took me many more hours than the 16 suggested in some of the material I read. I just got it back from the A/C shop where it was evacuated and charged up... and yes, it's COLD..!
