Fellow Buick lovers, here is my question. If one purchases a '64-'72 "non-AC" Buick-- (one which was ordered without AC from the factory) and one wants to add AC, what are the options and what is involved? Thanks, Ed
Depends on which year it is.For a factory a/c installation, will require some holes being cut into the passenger side of the firewall. Removal of the passenger fender would make the job easier.The earlier cars will require an oblong hole to be cut into each end of the dashboard metal. The newer ones ('68-'72) would need a dashpad replacement(one with a/c vents) and a dash speedo bezel modification. Not to mention the a/c wire harness,engine brackets,pulleys,compressor,a/c hoses,condensor,fuel pump with a return line,fuel return line along frame to gas tank,fuel pickup/sending unit equipped for fuel return, on some cars- a glove box for a/c dash,a/c style interior kick panels and block off plate(driver side),fresh air vent ducting(pass. side),behind dash ducting,a/c-heat switch panel,and other things.All from a suitable donor car,prefferably a 4dr.
I have just finished this project on a Sport Wagon and I do recommend the aftermarket approach, ie Vintage Air or some one like them. You really need the donor car for all the items mentioned above but also you will need the flange piece at the front of the opening where the condenser slides in. You can make a template and drill holes but it can be close and leave very little to anchor to. It is amazing how many differences there are between ac and non ac. Mike
I am changing my non a/c '60 Buick convertible to a/c. I made sure that I got every piece I needed from the donor car. I have to change the generator/voltage regulator,watepump,fan.The fuel tank sending unit,the fuel pump,add the return fuel line.I have to even change the harmonic balancer on the engine. Heck,there's even a reserve vacuum tank that mounts to the driver floor board area of the frame. I wanted the factory setup and I am going to make it work.
I did this swap on my 69 GS400 convert back in the early 90's :shock: took 3 months and i had both cars in my garage side by side you need to change everything 1 1/2 foot either side of the fire wall as well as the fire wall I did it because I am INSANE :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: now I just buy cars that are equiped with air and then make them work it will save you a ton on brain damage...:grin: BUT it can be done and when done right ( like mine ) no one can tell hell i even went to the effort of getting an actual GS doner car built a week after mine ( just lucky there ) so date codes are very close Ken
could you use vintage air stuff and hook it up to factory vents looks stock but dont need everything or could you get say chevelle under dash stuff and firewall parts and use the buick vent and controls
The answer to the above post is no and no. If you want to do a conversion using "factory" pieces then you need to do it all the way, otherwise how would you hook everything up? Also Chevelle AC equipped cars use a totally different set up then buicks. There is no way you want to try that. Duane
Your looking for cool air, not added resale value, right? Go with a Vintage Air set up, you will be glad you did and with less gray hair.
Yes...You can use the factory dash vents to make it look stock from inside the car using an aftermarket air kit (Vintage Air, Classic Air, etc.) But under the hood in the engine compartment it won't look stock, but it won't matter unless your trying to do a factory look-a-like restoration. You will need to do your homework but it can be done. If I were you I would give the guys at Vintage or Classic a call and tell them what your needs are and they should be able to help you through it. They even make it so it can hook up to your current standard controls for a non-air car so you can retain the stock dash faceplate. I have a friend who has done it on all three of his 60's GM mid size cars. I will be doing the same thing on my 69 buick convertible next spring. Eric / :3gears:
Ed, They are located here in the DFW Area. I met one of the salespersons at a local car show. He had a set up in his '68 GTO seemed to work very well. If i could find his number I'll pass it along. ou: DL
You are looking to go the othern way than most people. Most Buicks had AC so just look for one that has it. Much simpler.
i removed the factory a/c and installed a vintage air unit in 2003 in my skylark-was a pretty straightforward conversion, makes 40 degree air at the dash outlets today. has required no attention in 5 years and i use it most of the year-if it is 70 degrees out i have the a/c on. if you are in socal (seems to me you are) you could check mine out most anytime.
well other than the dash vents controls and compressor brackets what would be different on a chevelle or gto of the same vintage? i know you would have to cut the fire wall but seems like other than that and the 3 things i mentioned you could buy everything new.
I'm installing a vintage air system in my non-A/C Wildcat. Check out the last post in this thread. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=124325&highlight=vintage+air It's at the shop this week to get the system charged. Rick
The factory switches and slides completely control the vintage air controls. You will not be able to tell it is not factory from inside the car. As for under the hood, I used the non-A/C fire box cover. I pulled the fan motor out and screwed a metal plate over the fan opening. I put the hose bulkheads in that plate and ran the two a/c lines between the inner and outer fender to the front passenger corner of the car. The heater hoses take a 90 at the firewall back toward the motor and fall into their original path from the firewall. On the inside of the car all 4 lines (2 freon and two heater) follow the original flow of air. Yes it is tight. You can reach the interior side of the lines by reaching through the vent hole in the passenger kick panel. Rick
I am doing a ground up restoration of a 68 GS convertable. I am swiching it from Non A/C to A/C. I have some questions for you. 1. What bezel mods need to be done? 2. Why do you need a fuel return line? I have not bought any of the fuel system yet so it is not a problem. I was just woundering. 3. Where can I get a vacuume diagram. I had a 68 and a 69 partd car. They appear to be diffrent. One has 3 vacuume lines one has 5. I am a little confused. 4. Where could I find a diagram of the enire system with the names and locations of all of the components. Thanks,
