installing a/c in non-a/c 74? difficulty?

[KFunk]

I know its very out of character for me to add weight, but due to the track closing, we won't have an autocross again for a long time, if ever.... and i've been baking in the sun. I kinda like turning the car into a luxury cruiser for now, as I fix up the stereo and have fun riding around town.

I tried searching, but only found threads on removing the A/C.

Can I put one into my car very easily? I do have a source for the compressor and most parts- a white 75-76 that has taken a front end hit, and parted out. It still has a compressor on it, think it says Bosch. Not sure of its condition, but the owner said it had pressure in it at the time of the car's death.

If the condenser is mounted in the front end like most cars, its probably smashed. But I could probably adapt something from some other type of car.

The controls look pretty picked over in the parts car, no console whatsoever. But I think I saw those pieces hidden in the guys other parts car.

I was thinking about investigating the compressor and such on monday a little more, and maybe making him an offer for all those parts (how much?)

I've really never worked on A/Cs much before and don't understand them completely, but its time to start learning. In past cars I just removed everything once it stopped working.

Can I put the new R-134a type stuff in the old A/C? Am I getting in over my head? Is there a better aftermarket kit somewhere for putting A/C in an 02?

TIA,

Kevin

[ClayW]

When I run across a problem that comes from my own ignorance, it's time to learn something.

Crack a book, search the internet, and find out how it works. Gather the necessary parts and have someone that knows what they're doing redo the lines and charge it.

Then explain it all to me!

Good luck!

[ingraham]

Get a new Sanden compressor -- it's 10 time more efficient than an old York. Use R134a; it will be fine with the better compressor and a lot cheaper than R12. You will need an auxiliary fan in front of the condenser.

[2002]

Use a Clardy console, their fan system works the best of the three. If you go to a Sanden compressor you can adapt it to a York compressor bracket either by welding on adapter plates or buying a adapter kit. Be prepred to spend some money on all the fittings, hoses, etc.

[Mike Self]

1. Get a measurement of the OEM size for the condenser if the one on the parts car is no good. It's a stock size that should be obtainable from a good A/C shop or supplier. If you can fit a larger one in, so much the better--it'll help make up for the reduced cooling power of R134 vs R12.

2. Consider a 3 row core radiator--that's what I use and don't need an auxiliary electric cooling fan--and I've run at highway speeds in over 100 degree wx with no problems and the A/C going full blast...

3. When you run the hoses, make sure you use good thick rubber grommets when they pass thru the radiator support and the firewall. Also make sure the hoses don't touch each other--they'll wear through.

4. The hose run from the compressor to the evaporator (in the console) should have about four-five inches of slack, so you can move the evaporator out of the way far enough to remove the heater box without breaking the seal on the A/C coolant lines. You can place most of the slack between the compressor and the first set of clamps on the inner fender to allow for engine motion.

5. Before installing the A/C, pull your heater and do a refurbishment... it'll never be as easy to reach once the A/C is installed!

6. You can mix 'n match components, especially the console assys. There are three types you'll find used:

Behr--looks the nicest but radio mount is at the bottom and is close to the shift lever--not sure if a CD can be inserted due to gear lever proximity

Frigiking--not as nice looking as the Behr but has a top mounted radio and uses inexpensive and easy to find switches and blower motor (all American stuff)

Clardy--most efficient blower/evaporator but more difficult to find, and the housing protrudes noticeably into the pax footwell.

So....ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice...

Many years ago I helped a friend retrofit factory air in his VW Dasher--we got parts off four different Dashers and Foxes to find everything we needed, but when finished it looked factory and it worked! So...

Go for it...

mike

[GeneinNC]

Mike, you are a regular fountain of knowledge again. If donor car is complete and running would it be worth $60 to have it evaluated before pulling and reinstalling in the "to car"?

[Mike Self]

and you don't really care about the compressor if it's a piston York...you want a rotary compressor.

Just make sure the console portion is complete, and see if the blower motor works. You'll want new hoses and a receiver dryer too, and you're gonna have to break open the system to remove it from the donor car anyway...so a $60 evaluation might be a waste of money.

mike

[RayC911]

kevin,

I'm getting rid of my whole Frigiking unit in a month or so. Decided not to use it in my swap. Console is complete and blowers works. Don't know much about ACs either but you'll probably want to upgrade the compressor, condesor, hoses, etc. But it will be complete with the brackets too. if you're interested, let me know.

BTW, I'll probably be in Hawaii for a month this summer. In-laws live on the Ewa side but I'm sure I'll be in town often. Maybe we can get an 02 meet at Liki Liki, haha

[ingraham]

Get a copy of the Behr A/C parts and installation manuals, especially if you're installing a Behr A/C.

[KFunk]

hmmm, this sounds like it might be a bit too complex for digging into it in the next few weeks, gonna take some more time to learn and gear up for it.

thanks much for the info, mike.

So, basically this isn't gonna be an easy swap of parts from the parts car to my car, I guess. And its probably not worth grabbing the compressor, which is likely a York/piston? and it probably can't handle R-134a?

I did a search for the Sanden model, and found a few sites selling one for like $200. If its gonna be that much, I'm probably gonna have to put it off for a while, and get a XR3000 first for other fun... and a better radiator, like the three core one.

Once I figure out how it all works, I may just see if I can piece together my own system. I have access to a car parts warehouse with lots of compressors, condensers, etc. and can get stuff at cost (really cheap). I may just start lookin thru boxes until I find something that looks adaptable. I'll probably take a closer look at the A/C parts car again and study up the usual setup first.

Ray, I'll probably be really interested in atleast the controls. I don't know much about the rest yet. But if you can't cram it into your luggage, no problem.

In any case, it'd be cool to meet up anytime. I can swing out by the ewa side too, haven't ever been out there much (except for the track).

You'd be surprised how many 02s there are on the island, but unfortunately I don't know most of the owners since there's no real club. I often see 1 or more in traffic per day, and wave. I guess they're mostly old guys that love 02s but don't use the net much. There are several that look brand new/restored.

[GeneinNC]

Been following this post and learning a lot. One item has too little coverage and that is the evaporator. If the evaporator is NG and not discovered until installed, you're screwed. Can evap be tested as a stand alone unit?

[KFunk]

I just glanced over the parts car(s) again today, couldn't take much time. Actually the car with the front end damage no longer has a condenser, and didn't see an evaporator either. The outlet on the compressor was capped off.

But the other parts car (consumed by rust) still has a condenser and evaporator, but no compressor. They may be in rough shape though.

I couldn't find any controls in either car, only the plastic console panel (says Behr) and a rotary switch which may be for an A/C. The owner's good 02 does have a working A/C, so I might have to study up by looking it over.