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Post by island65cruiser on May 10, 2018 0:39:18 GMT -5
Can anyone give me any comments or advice on A/C for the 1965 442? I am looking for a complete replacement that will replace the OEM heater, and add full function air, heat and defrost. Thinking about VintageAir, but open to suggestions. Lots of companies out there to pick from. Thanks.
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Post by familyrides1965 on May 10, 2018 22:03:46 GMT -5
Was a place in Jacksonville (FL), that specialized on older car conversions. Not sure if they are still around it was several years ago. They sold and installed kits. Might be worth doing a google search. Also, heard about a place in Tennessee that did the same.
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Post by joepadavano on May 11, 2018 9:04:06 GMT -5
Is this car originally heat-only, or is it a factory A/C car? On my 67 Delta, I've used the Sanden compressor conversion and brackets developed by Classic Auto Air, but I retained the stock A/C system. The brackets work well with the early style accessory mounting locations and have a boatload of adjustability for pulley alignment.
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Post by island65cruiser on May 12, 2018 4:28:27 GMT -5
Thanks for suggestions. This is a non-factory A/C car. I do know that I will need the alternator and power steering brackets and pulleys for an A/C car, and possibly a different water pump.
I am looking at Vintageair, Restomod Air, Classic air, but non list a kit for the 65 442. Buick skylark and Chevelle seem to have the same factory under-dash OEM heaters boxes, but dashboards and controls differ as do engine brackets. Any experience with aftermarket kits would be helpful. Trying to do this the easy way, not re-invent the wheel!
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Post by joepadavano on May 12, 2018 7:29:05 GMT -5
FYI, Classic Auto Air does not list the Olds kit on their website, but they do sell the brackets and compressor. They are very helpful if you call them and will likely put something together for you with the correct under dash unit from a Chevelle.
The reality is that there is insufficient demand for anyone to market a dedicated kit for a 65 Olds, so no one makes a control panel. This is why I retained the stock A/C under dash and controls for my 67 Delta (you think an A-body is tough to get parts for?) You will have to adapt a stock panel. Vintage Air has kits that allow you to adapt linear resistors to the stock control levers and then use these to control their electronic HVAC system. It isn't cheap and requires fabrication. Alternately, if you use a cable and vacuum operated under dash unit, adapting the stock cable controls is pretty straightforward.
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Post by island65cruiser on May 13, 2018 17:58:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. From what I have read, the closest match to our cars is the under dash setup for a Skylark. I think I will remove the ashtray or the factory heater control and and machine a filler plate for the opening to accept their universal controls. This is a "Toe Tag" car, my heirs can sell it when I'm gone, so being a correct restoration doesn't really matter. Some of the companies offer some pretty small control panels. What I'm really concerned about is the air temp. Don't want to do all the work for mediocre cooling. Do you know if I have to change the water pump in order to get a proper pulley setup for the A/C? Seems that A/C cars had a different part number. Also curious about Radiator, will overheating be an issue with A/C?
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Post by island65cruiser on May 13, 2018 17:59:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. From what I have read, the closest match to our cars is the under dash setup for a Skylark. I think I will remove the ashtray or the factory heater control and and machine a filler plate for the opening to accept their universal controls. This is a "Toe Tag" car, my heirs can sell it when I'm gone, so being a correct restoration doesn't really matter. Some of the companies offer some pretty small control panels. What I'm really concerned about is the air temp. Don't want to do all the work for mediocre cooling. Do you know if I have to change the water pump in order to get a proper pulley setup for the A/C? Seems that A/C cars had a different part number. Also curious about Radiator, will overheating be an issue with A/C?
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