Vintage Air for a non-A/C 65 Special/Skylark - how practical/difficult?

Discussion in 'The Big Chill' started by elagache, Jul 23, 2012.

  1. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Dear V-8 Buick "golly wish it weren't so hot" summer worshipers, [​IMG]

    While I have considerable doubts about the scientific arguments surrounding CO2 induced global warming . . . . . . :Smarty:

    Golly, sure has been hot at times this summer! [​IMG]

    As if I haven't taken on too much as it is, I'd like to at least explore the idea of at adding a Vintage Air Air conditioning system to the queue of goodies for my trusty wagon.

    Unfortunately, this car wasn't blessed with factory-air. The only threads I've found are similar to this one: Thinking about Vintage Air - What's the difficulty level of this project?

    From that thread it appears that the best bet is indeed the Vintage Air Sure-Fit fit for a 64-65 Chevelle and my quick check on the web suggests that Then and Now still has the best price for this kit.

    I have managed to get an A/C compressor bracket for a big-block Buick engine, so that obstacle has been overcome. What are the other potential problems associated with trying to use the Chevelle Sure-Fit kit in proud Buick instead?

    Have others on the board upgraded their non-A/C cars and been happy with the results? Certainly Vintage Air seems to make a very attractive package to route the ducts under the dash. Do the appearances actually work out in practice?

    The other thing that I'm curious about is how folks with a 64-65 solved the controls problem.

    I'm always a bit a of a neophyte on this board, but this is really going over my head. :Do No: So any general comments/suggestions . . . . even: "give up now before you get into real trouble!!" :af:
    Are appreciated!

    Cheers, Edouard :beer
     
  2. photobugz

    photobugz 1965 Skylark

    This is the kit that I'll be installing in my 65 Sky in a few months although I'll be using my factory AC vents. I recently met a guy on the hotter side of our state that has already put this in his non-AC 65 Sky (using the underdash vents). He also mounted the 4-knob Vintage Air controls in place of the factory controls, but said that the factory controls would have worked.

    He said it's super easy... just go slow and follow the instructions.

    Jeff ~
     
  3. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Easy enough for Pros to do quickly?(Re: Vintage Air for a non-A/C 65 Special/Skylark)

    Dear Jeff and V-8 Buick Cool A/C cats . . . :bglasses:

    :grin: Ya' mean I actually have to follow the instructions!?!?! Oh this is going to be much harder than I thought!! :shock: :laugh:

    Actually, my plot is a little more complicated, so let me explain. I can't deal with a big-block at home (not everyone has a 600+ lbs lift in their garage.) So I'll be having Orinda Motors installing my super-deluxe JW big-block Buick engine that should be getting to the dynamometer this week. Obviously, when there is no engine in the engine compartment - plenty of room to install things like a Vintage Air system.

    Orinda Motors has plenty of A/C experience, but essentially no experience with Vintage Air stuff. Still, if the Sure-Fit unit really was . . . . Sure-Fit and reasonably intuitive - they should be able to indeed install this unit in few hours and not cost me much more given that they have great access.

    A friend of mine has been forced to have his 57 Chevy towed to Orinda Motors because the restorer he was using flaked-out and left the car unfinished. It also has a Vintage Air A/C partially installed, so Orinda Motors is about to become much more familiar with Vintage Air stuff in a hurry.

    Until now, I had decided to save the A/C work until later because . . . . this project is already plenty overwhelming as it is!! :eek2:

    However, if the Vintage Air system really is "install and play" with very little custom fabrication . . . maybe I should let them skin their knuckles on this too.

    Thus more precisely my question: is it likely the Vintage Air kit would install quickly and in a straightfoward manner so that it doesn't take too much time for the Orinda Motors folks (thus not costing me too much money! :dollar: )

    Any thoughts on twisting of the plot? :Smarty:

    Cheers, Edouard :beer
     
  4. SteeveeDee

    SteeveeDee Orange Acres

    If they are real mechanics, they can install the aftermarket AC, without doubt. In the '80s, I built an AC system for my '56 Chevy wagon using a compressor from a Datsun 260Z, condenser from some junkyard special, parts store receiver dryer, fittings and hoses and an aftermarket under-dash evaporator unit from some mid-sixties Ford (different wrecking yard). One of the things my wife didn't like was the cooling capacity- she called it the "freezer section" of the car. They'll be working with all-new matched parts. Let 'em at it!
     
  5. gobuick

    gobuick Silver Level contributor

    Edouard, I am installing a surefit in my 65 Special. It fits overall pretty well.
    Couple of things that I have found:

    The condenser they send with the kit is 24" wide, you will need the 22" condenser to fit in the opening of the rad support.
    Purchase a metal one piece block of plate for the firewall, & just drill your hose holes in the plate. The kit comes with 2 flimsy pieces of ABS to cover the firewall holes.
    I bought my firewall cover from Detroit Speed, nice piece.
    Also the optional vertical electronic control panel fits nicely in the original heater control bezel, without much effort.

    You can get the original controls to work but it's a bit more involved. They are designed for the chevelle panel.

    I can get you the part numbers if interested. Also bought it from a board member (then & now), he beat all the other vendors I checked on price.
     
  6. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks!! Exactly the info I needed! (Re: Air for a non-A/C 65 Special/Skylark)

    Howdy Frank and V-8 Buick 65 cool-cats . . . . :bglasses:

    To be honest, I was going to send you a PM if you didn't "surface" soon because I was sure you would know these sorts of nitty-gritty details!!

    Thanks so much for responding and providing such precise info!! :TU:

    Anything special about getting a 22" condenser? Is it another Vintage Air condenser or is it a stock part somewhere?


    Okay, I just found the the Detroit Speed firewall cover on their website: http://www.detroitspeed.com/1964-1972 A-Body-Products/010902-dlt-plte-a.html

    Yes that does look very nice!!

    Is that they way you are or will be going? Could you get me this part number? I couldn't spot this in my Vintage Air catalog, but I might have gone though it too quickly.

    I did some quick price checking and they still seem to have all their competition beat.

    I'm going to wait until the fellows at Orinda Motors have a look the 57 Chevy with the Vintage Air partially installed to see what they think of it. If they seem perfectly comfortable with it, then I'll "spring" on them this potential addition.

    Thanks again for all the help!! :TU:

    Sure couldn't live without this board!

    Cheers, Edouard :beer
     
  7. gobuick

    gobuick Silver Level contributor

    The condenser (03262-VUC PARALLEL FOW COND 14X22) I used is the same as the one that comes in the kit, just 2 narrower. You can see it in the first pick, the pre-formed hard lines that come with the kit fit fine with the 22 condenser. With the 24 condenser the hard lines ran into the core support. The opening on a Chevelle core support must be a little wider.

    The control panel (491214-RVA) that I used is in the second pick. If you are going for a stock looking dash, might be better to adapt the kit that comes with the sure-fit system. Ive heard from a couple of people that they arent to hard to adapt to the buick controls.

    The sure-fit system uses 5/8 hose, so you will need an adapter , I think the front cover on the motor is .


    Good luck!
     

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  8. gobuick

    gobuick Silver Level contributor

    Edouard,

    I was thinking if you were able to get a factory A/C face plate for the dash & the two ball vents, the a/c system would look totally stock in your wagon. I'll bet someone on the board has a set.
     
  9. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Thanks Frank!! (Re: Vintage Air for a non-A/C 65 Special/Skylark)

    Howdy Frank and 65 Buick Cool-cats :bglasses:

    Thanks Frank, so that part of the caper is covered!

    Hmm, Indeed the Vintage Air generic control panel is a little too generic. On the other hand, there is no way this installation will look completely stock since the car didn't come with factory air so it will need the under-dash vents.

    Hmm, okay this will take a little research and head scratching :idea2:, but the hard part looks reasonably practical. So the ball in now in my court!!

    Thanks again Frank for your help!! :TU:

    Cheers, Edouard :beer
     

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