replacement ac unit

[dietdude]

Anyone have any advice for an ac unit for a 72 and/or 74 2002: where to locate or what unit from another car might fit?

[thehackmechanic]

There is a huge amount of a/c info on this forum if you search for it.

It's not clear from your question whether your car has a/c and you're looking at replacing or upgrading an original component, or whether the car doesn't have a/c and you're looking at a from-scratch retrofit. 2002s had three different dealer-installed a/c systems, from Behr, Fridge King, and Clardy. Many (but not all) folks feel the Behr console looked the best integrated into the 2002's interior.

In either case, many folks use an original evaporator assembly and console like the Behr, combine it with a Sanden 508 compressor, mount that compressor to the engine with a bracket sold buy a fellow who goes by the handle "hobiedave" on this forum, use the largest aftermarket condenser that will fit in the nose of the car, and an aftermarket low-profile electric fan on the condenser.

Search and ye shall find.

[Somchai]

I'm getting ready to do this too. So far I have fitted a larger than standard condenser and fan in the nose section. I have a bracket (looks home-made) from the PO and will source a Sanden compressor soon. For the interior there are many styles of console available ( vintage air have a few ) on the net. The drier can fit alongside the condenser.

I have some experience with AC so will hook it all up then get a shop to vacuum and fill the system when done.

Unless you are really after an original factory look there isn't any reason to chase a Clardy or Fridgeking unit. There are modern units that can do a better job and can be built in to a console or even hidden under the dashboard.

[dietdude]

Thanks for the prompt reply! I'll check to see what we have.

[dietdude]

Thanks for the info. I was told a unit from a Mitsubishi will fit as well; know anything about that (what model to choose as donor)?

[thehackmechanic]

Again, not sure what you mean by a "unit," and not sure which "unit" would be interchangeable with a Mitsubishi, and not sure which Mitsubishi. The major components are:

--Compressor. Recommend you source a Sanden 508 and the smaller updated bracket from "hobiedave" on this forum. I bought a new Chinese-made Sanden 508 clone for about $125 shipped on eBay. Hobiedave's bracket is $110. He has them built when he has enough orders.

--Condenser. Recommend you source an aftermarket parallel-flow condenser and an aftermarket electric fan. They're cheap. I have a thread on what the largest parallel flow condenser is that'll fit in the car. I bought mine for $65 shipped. Several people report using 10x18" and 11x19" units, but the horn bracket needs to be cut to make them fit.

--Evaporator assembly. Recommend you get an original Behr unit. There are a fair amount of them out there, not prohibitively expensive, but as another poster says, you can also go with an aftermarket unit from vintage air. Whether you think it is in harmony with the rest of the interior of the car or an abomination against the laws of man and god is completely a matter of personal taste.

Then there's the receiver/drier, the hoses, and the wiring.

I just searched for "Mitsubishi" on this forum (which you can do too, by the way) and found:

"Evaporator/Blower - Does not necessarily have to be from a 2002. A local tii had a/c installed with a blower/evaporator from a Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage, using the stock non-a/c console with some vents installed. Looks great and cools very well."

Searching on eBay for "Mitsubishi (colt, mirage) evaporator," I see evaporator cores with a modern-style single o-ring-style flange for the pair of input and output pipes. This would take some adaptation, as the dealer-installed 2002 a/c uses individual flare-fitting hoses. More to the point, though, I'm not seeing the full evaporator assemblies with the case, louvers, and fan -- just the cores.

But go ahead, find one, install it, and let us know how it works out. I'd be very curious.