Classic Air conditioning

mustang68

Hello all,

Just a random thought: does anyone have a classic with working A/C or one that they restored themselves? We're not big A/C fans in ireland (get it...fans..*sigh*), but somtime in the future I might get the one going in the mustang again, as its a major part of the heating sytem. Just wanted to hear any stories, maybe you ripped it out, maybe it always/never worked.

Oldmerc

I have it, my car (69 merc), like yours, was designed for the US market and to the best of my knowledge was factory fitted. It works well but not very cool air, I'd say its just collant it needs. Did get a mobile guy out to do that job but he couldn't figure it out, he was more into combined harverters !!

Anyway its a nice thing to have but not a huge issue for me anyway

PaulK_CCI

mustang68 wrote:

Hello all,

Just a random thought: does anyone have a classic with working A/C or one that they restored themselves? We're not big A/C fans in ireland (get it...fans..*sigh*), but somtime in the future I might get the one going in the mustang again, as its a major part of the heating sytem. Just wanted to hear any stories, maybe you ripped it out, maybe it always/never worked.

I found that in most Classics that I have supplied that had an airconditioning system, they rarely worked. I would say it's a classic case of time taking its toll on systems that were designed to be absolutely 100% airtight. So it would mostly be a case of the the gas escaping somewhere along the lines, because through time the system might have become a bit less airtight. If that is the case, it would be a matter of regassing the system, and you're ready to roll until all the gas has evaporated again. Depending on how serious a leak you have, this could bridge the summer period if you're lucky.

Worse is when the compressor is not functioning anymore, but that should be fairly easy to diagnose. Usually, replacing the compressor doesnt automatically mean your system is A-OK after that, as the gas could still be evaporating somewhere, giving you only a very short span of 'cool air'.

On a general note I have found that Airconditioning systems in Ireland are generally not very effective, purely because of the lowish temperatures. I found even on my modern cars, that it felt as if my airconditioning wasn't working when I tried it out at temperatures say 16 or 17 degrees, whereas in the rare occasions that the temperature soared over 23 degrees, the system was working fine

dubtom

My car came with the AC compressor complete... in the booth. It has a large hole in it and the guy who sold the car to me said it had been removed because it was still running but just eating juice. A friend of mine who is an AC enigneer, took a look at it and said that the system had leaked, the compressor ran hot and blew. He seemed to think that getting my AC back working would not be a problem with a new unit, as long as he could get sealed pipes for it, you now the ones with the sealed screw on the ends, because it had probably blown in the first place because of a bad join somewhere, maybe someone used a jublee clip or something. Suprisingly, my windscreen fan still works hot and cold, which is a godsend. I checked out compressors and their easily got, just the carriage is more expensive that the unit.

ds20prefecture

Vague recollection: There's an issue with US air con systems in that they use a gas that cannot be legally used anymore. I think there is a replacement gas for these, but check that you can get it here. I think the original is freon and the replacement is something like R12.

Sorry for the vagueness.

mustang68

Gas: ds you're right, however, the modern replacement parts (compressor I think) can use the current refrigerant, so we're ok.

dubtom: love to see whats left of you a/c, mine was taken out totally, with only clues that it existed, because of its absence most of the heater controls don't work

dubtom

dubtom: love to see whats left of you a/c, mine was taken out totally, with only clues that it existed, because of its absence most of the heater controls don't work

Mine don't either apart from the window blower. The compressor is sitting in my shed, they cut some of the pipes so I assume that their connection points inside the car are still intact. Would a pic do or your welcome to have a look anytime.

mustang68

dubtom, just saw the pic of your car, think I saw you driving in town a few months ago, off grafton street towards the BT car park??

Borzoi

mustang68 wrote:

Gas: ds you're right, however, the modern replacement parts (compressor I think) can use the current refrigerant, so we're ok.

The old gas was R12, commonly known as Freon. The replacement gas for most vehicle AC is R134a. Unfortunately R12 used mineral oil, R134a requires ester oil, and most old compressors will not tolerate the lighter ester oil. There is a drop in gas available to replace R12, called R409a, but as it's not in common usage you could end up shelling out for a small 13kg cylinder for around the €350 mark, where you really probably only need 1kg.

The other option is to replace the old compressor with an R134a model, charge it up, but you'll lose all the refrigerant very quickly, because R134a leaks alot more easily than R12, so all the joints would have to be checked, and you might find that all the hoses would need to be replaced - bascily redoing your entire AC system.

MercMad

I believe that on the older USA Mercs the AirCon was actually dealer installed. Units such as Fridgking and the like were supplied and fitted.

What Borzoi says is completely true and accurate. You will never get R12 over here and even if you recondition the system yourself, new seals and hoses , it will not work with R134a.

Your only choice is to send away your existing kit to be converted or buy some newer retro fit items. Bear in mind that the older Sanden type "piston" compressors are highly innefficient, place a large load on the engine and are bulky and heavy. These EAT fuel !

Newer "rotary" type units can be fitted in place quite easily are less taxing and can obvioulsy be used with R134a.

This is the route I would go unless factory originality is the objective !

dubtom

Sounds like a lot more hassell than it's worth for me, originality would be my only reason to have mine fixed, I'm a great believer in opening windows to keep cool.

dubtom, just saw the pic of your car, think I saw you driving in town a few months ago, off grafton street towards the BT car park??

Probably me Ok, I haven't seen another 72' around apart from the blue soft top at Kilbeggan.

Henry Ford III

I use 2/40 a/c.

2 windows down and don't drive below 40mph

I'll get my coat.

dubtom

Henry, you surprise me, surley a Man of your millions could afford to have all his friends on Boards AC's fixed on the house.:D