Per subject title: Is anyone out there currently running any of the Vintage Air a/c conversion kits? I am considering the GEN-IV Surefit unit for the 68-69 CHevelle for my 69 Skylark. According to tech support at VIntage Air these unts are much lighter with less parasitic power loss and are rated to cool down a station wagon...and there is no evap. box sticking out of the firewall either :TU: Regards, 455NGLIDE
Is this a partial or full AC conversion? I am in process of doing the same and was wondering what original parts vs vintage air parts I would need to run too. My hope is to use original ac vents (which need to be installed) the housing under the dash along with the duct work, and then replace all under hood items with vintage air. Not sure if it can be done, but hopeful. Scott
All under dash parts are replaced but you can use the original a/c vents. With some modifications you can use the controls. It leaves no evap box on the outside of the firewall, but you will have to devise your own bracketry for the ac compressor. We are a dealer for vintage air, let me know if you need a system, we will save you some $.
I know a couple guys have used the Vintage Air system, I'm surprised though that nobody offers the compressor mount
cool down a station wagon, wow that would be right up my alley.LOL I have been thinking about a VA system for the wagon for a while. I have factory A/C but would like a more effecant system. My factory system is all there. Maybe I'll just see about getting it going to save $$$$. Ideas or thoughts? Hey Mark, do you have a web site? Tim
How about a VA heater/evaporator kit, then use a Pro6Ten compressor on the original compressor mounts? No need to fab up mounts then. My biggest complaint about aftermarket systems has always been that you lose the ability to draw outside air into the air handler (NORM position on the original system). Do the Gen-IV VA systems now have that capability?
One of my brothers had a VA system in his '60 Chevy Parkwood wagon (land barge), and it cooled it real nice. Bill Sr, I expect it would. You would just need some sort of adapter fittings. Heh- I ran a Datsun compressor with a junkyard aftermarket evaporator/blower assembly in my old '56 Chevy 210 wagon. My wife called that car "the meat locker", that's how cold it could get in there. Your principal concern with A/C is to be sure the entire system is and has been kept scrupulously clean and dry. That said, I'm not sure why you would use a different compressor from stock, unless the VA unit was a direct bolt-on. I expect any fuel savings on the VA units comes from it being a Cycling Clutch Orifice Tube (CCOT) system, which...cycles the clutch...saving horsepower and fuel. Unless your car is a CCOT system, you will gain nothing going to that type of compressor.
Old thread but that was my thought as well. I have all the factory AC brackets and pulleys for the engine. My car is non-AC originally and I'm really wanting AC for these hot KY summers and I haven't had a heater for 23 years! As soon as my turbo 200-4R gets installed, I'm going to see about getting the Then & Now guys to get me some pricing on a fully installed system. I have been too busy to learn AC stuff and get it going myself. Don't own any gauges or AC type tools either.
This is nice, because maybe I can avoid removing the freshly painted hood, bumper, grille and passenger fender! Classicair is an alternative to vintageair, and uses the stock controls. Jay
Yes you can. Although many folks going to VA, or other aftermarket system, like the thought of a smaller, more efficient compressor. The modern compressor also solves the issue of the shaft seal slinging oil.
I was looking at using a VA type system and one of these on factory brackets since it should all bolt up. http://www.opgi.com/product.asp?topcatid=249&p=1&view=1&chapterid=1&VendorCode=&grpcode=21540
Yep. That's the one I mentioned some months ago. The Pro6Ten is a drop in replacement for the A6 in factory AC cars, regardless of the GM "Division". On a non AC car, your options are wide open for hose routing, condenser choice, evaporator unit choice, etc. Just remember that the Pro6Ten needs the original (type) A6 hose manifold to connect to it. You will also need the Factory AC accessory drive train. (it will bolt up to your factory AC mounts and line up with no issues).
There is a guy that has this on his '69 GTO that comes to the local cruises. Unless he is meticulously cleaning it every time, it does appear that 40 years of materials improvement has been used to improve this over the original.
I bought a Vintage Air System from Mark @ Then & Now. We bought the system for a 65 Chevelle & it fits pretty well. I have a 455 in a 65 special. I had Mark make me a bracket that will hold the Alt & the sanden comp. that comes with the kit. I ended up going with a march serpentine, so If anyone is thinking of going to a VA system, I will be selling the bracket.
