I hope you all could help me out with this.
I just got a car that did not have AC from the factory.
Can I buy an AC system for the car and install it?
Thanks in advance.
BTW its an 82

 

anybody?

 

First of all. Welcome to the Club Newbie!

2nd- Please wait 24 hours before bumping up your question if someone has not replied. It is the weekend and many are out doing other things besides answering questions.


Yes you can add A/C to your car. You would need all of the components.

A/C compressor
A/C hoses and hard lines.
A/C bracket that holds compressor. Adjustment bracket for belt.
A/C condenser
A/C receiver drier
A/C Evaporator core with expansion valve and housing that holds it.
Then you need the correct ducting that goes from the evaporator box to the ducting.
A/C belt and accessory pulley for eccentric shaft.
Believe there is a idle compensator that you need to put on the carburetor that boosts the idle when you turn on the A/C also.

Should be wired for the A/C compressor and control button inside. Also may need A/C button inside (cannot remember if they are there or not on Non-A/C cars?)

 

Cool thanks much!
Any idea if I have to do any firewall mods?
Either way, huge help thanks

 

My 83 does not have ac but the inside has all the buttons. Since I am in the seattle area who
would you suggest to do it and what are the prices????

Does it compromise the performance? Even if turned off?

 

it's another accessory that's driven by the engine so what do u think? but when it's off, no. the pulley just free wheels. only when the clutch is engaged does it put a load on the engine. that's why the a/c system idles the engine up when u turn it on.

 

On my 83, there are grommets where the lines pass through the firewall you can just pop out, and behind the carpet there are "knock outs" in the rubber mat/insulation pad you can pop out to run the lines.

~T.J.

 

Thanks Michael...I knew this but I never wanted to think about it.

 

I would post up a thread in your Regional area.

The only A/C parts (used) that you would want to buy are ones where someone was parting out a car and sealed all of the ends and or connections to the A/C parts. Condensation is a killer of a A/C compressor.

Their is someone selling a brand new A/C compressor in the 1st gen parts section. I would at least get a new compressor, receiver drier and perhaps expansion valve. The rest of the parts you could go with good used ones.

Have no idea how much a member would charge you to put the system in though. You will want to take it to a Good A/C shop after all the parts are in and have them service the system properly.

 

I would check this out... It will be much easier and might fit the bill

http://www.classicaire.com/RamAir.htm

 

Thanks Mike and Doc....good info...I will take it all in. That classicaire sounds interesting too..
I need to study it.

Dorian55

 

Mike,

Are you for real?

I thought for a second that was going to be a place like vintageair.com that supplies A/C kits for Muscle Cars, street rods, etc....

That link you provided for that product looks like a siren from a Police car from the 50's!

 

I have a complete ac system for a 12a I would be willing to part with

 

John,

Please contact the person through the pm process on stuff like this.

Keep the threads "Tech" related.

 

Very funny...it does look like a siren...I am off of the ac thing and just need to keep my one
car healthy and free of carbon