My '63 Wildcat came with a Mark IV Allegro aftermarket AC unit that was installed in '66. It's currently disconnected from the electrical system so I don't know what it does & doesn't do, but it's very clean and I expect it would probably operate if reconnected. I even have all the original paperwork. I don't know why it was disconnected but I'm guessing it needs recharging. It looks like it's not really worth the trouble of converting to R134a, so if I'm going to get it working again I'll look for R12. So I'm wondering, what would you do with this unit? What else might it need other than recharging with refrigerant? Worth keeping in the car or would you remove it? Phil
I'd take it to a local shop thats been around awhile that does portable A/C units and get it repaired and working. Its part of the cars history and its unusual. Robert
Phil, I have one in my 69 GS350 that still works, even if the compressor is not hooked up. Keep it, part of the car history
Like others have said, keep it. Even if it's non-functional. If the blower and compressor electrical circuits check out ok, repairing the refrigerant loop is pretty easy and shouldn't cost an arm and leg. To make it functional you will need, at minimum: -New seals for the hose connections -New receiver/drier -System flush -Fresh oil -Refrigerant -Possibly a new expansion valve. -Possibly a new thermostatic switch -New rubber lines would be a very good idea. Luckily, these systems were built with "generic" parts, so replacement parts are very likely available through NAPA. Parts are generally less expensive than vehicle specific OEM parts. What kind of compressor does it use?
Thanks for the advice, guys. I will look into getting the unit up and running again. Tomorrow I'll get under the hood and see what kind of compressor it uses. Phil
Please post some pics if you can. Dash unit and under the hood. I haven't seen one of these systems installed in quite a while.
Really?? Are they for sale or part of your personal "stash" of parts? I don't need one right now, but I have customers with vintage non-AC cars who ask about them occasionally, as opposed to modern Vintage Air and other systems. I usually refer them to Ebay, craigslist, etc. for correct under dash units then build the system from there. If you're willing to sell them one at a time, as needed, please PM me.
OK...here are photos of the under-dash unit and the components under the hood. Everything is exactly as the previous owner had it. I've never dealt with one of these so I don't know what kind of compressor it has. Can anyone tell?
That's a York-style compressor, lots of aftermarket systems and Fords used them. Good compressor, works a lot like an air/compressor pump - matter of fact lots of off-roaders install them for just that use, since they have their own oil sump. Anyways, I'd resurrect it for sure - head over to www.ackits.com, look around their forums, maybe even ask their opinions on how to best proceed. I think there's a test for the compressor there somewhere... I'd recommend removing everything from the car, then flushing everything several times with lacquer thinner (be sure to remove the Throttling Expansion Valve (TXV) from the inlet side of the evaporator to get it flushed out well. New hoses and o-rings, maybe a new TXV while it's apart, a new receiver/drier, and if the compressor is ok you should be good. If you need a new compressor, I strongly recommend laying out the extra money for a NEW one, or at least one rebuilt by somebody good like ackits. I'd stay as far away from a parts-store a/c compressor as you can, I haven't seen one in years that was worth a dang - and many that I swear were just cleaned up and repainted. :rant: Replacing a failed 'rebuilt' compressor is just FAR too time/consuming and expensive to short-change yourself by going cheap on one. I'd also strongly recommend looking at a good true "parallel-flow" type condensor (like they sell at ackits.com). I swapped one into my old Ranchero's underdash a/c system, and the difference was outa-this-world: lower head pressures, less drag on the engine, and it blows 30* air on the hottest days. :shock: Best $100 I ever spent on an a/c system! Get the biggest one that'll fit in your car, and maybe get a $35 filter to go in from of it. Their only downside of a PF condenser is that their passages are way smaller, and so any if your compressor ever does crater, all that trash will lodge in the condenser and you can't flush it out - so you get to replace it too. I don't mean to sound like an ad for the guys at ackits.com, but every time I look into getting advice or parts on a/c systems, they're hands-down the best: great advice, great parts, and great prices.
Wow jamyers, I dropped in to reply but you said everything I would have. :TU: +10 on www.ackits.com. They are one of my preferred suppliers. They also sponsor the best (IMHO) automotive AC forum on the 'net: www.autoacforum.com
Your underdash Allegro unit...I recently got one of these units off eBay for a project of mine. You mentioned you have some type of paper work with yours, does it show wiring and which goes where? Also, the photos you posted are great, better than what I'm working with for now, if you get the chance, can you post a photo of that orange decal on the side, i'd like to try and reproduce it for mine. Thanks, Robert
Robert, I was visiting the boards tonight because I was thinking about what to do w/ my AC again and I saw your post. I do have some papers that came w/ the Allegro unit but I'm not sure there's much beyond a directory of service/installation locations from 1966. I'll take a look tomorrow and let you know. If it's the wiring you're wondering about, well...I'm not sure because mine was disconnected when I got the car. Looks as if it was just one wire for power running to the fuse box, but I'm not sure exactly where it would have connected. Phil
Robert, So I had the Wildcat out and about yesterday and I took a look at the A/C documents. Yes, there's a service/installation location guide for the whole country like I said. There's also an owner's guide to the unit that tells how it works and general tips for usage but it contains nothing technical whatsoever. Now, I also had a good look around under the dash since I was working on installing a stereo in my car. Looks like there are just two wires running from the A/C unit which I'm sure are power & ground. I will definitely get a better photo of that sticker and if you'd like I can also photograph the owner's guide. Let me know...
Does any body have pics of this style of setup on the 350? The full size Jeep Wagoneer's and trucks used this type. Older ones were marketed by Clardy and later by AmericanAir. Jim
