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Hello from hot and sunny Florida, I just received a complete A/C system from Vintage Air. The kit comes with everything but a belt and refrigerant. I plan on doing the install this weekend and I'd be happy to hear tips/advise from anyone who has done this type job in the past.

I've installed a few here are my hints:

1. Don't forget to instal all the O-rings and be sure to lube them before installation. Double check the O-ring is installed before tightening the fittings......theirs nothing worse then trying to track down a leak in the system.

2. When you mock up the hoses on the fitting take a marker and scribe the fitting and hose so when you take the hoses to the shop to be crimped, the hose maintains the same orientation "if it has a bend or twist".

3. It's a good idea to have the shop that is installing the 134A to add a can of leak detector....just in case!!!

4. keep an eye on the temperature gauge when the a/c is on and it's a hot day. You might need to upgrade the cooling system "radiator, added electric fan" etc.,

Thanks for the tips Joe,
today I completed the installation on all the in cab components, everything went OK, only one bloody knuckle. So far a good fit. Tomorrow I plan on finishing the compressor and condenser and have it charged.

Rickcapt

Please be sure to keep us updated on the AC installation. Can you attach pics? Does it take up much knee room in the cab? What kind of crank pulley did you use for the second belt?

I have a 51 GMC 1-ton that could use AC.

Thanks

Izzy

I installed the Old Air Hurricane unit in my 54 and put 55 Chevy knobs in the bottom of my dash for all the controls instead of that plastic plenum unit they give you.

You can see pics of my install Here.

The unit consisting of switch housing and 2vents mounts right to the bottom of the dash from just right of the key switch to the right side door, and a single vent mounts just to the left of the steering wheel. The evaperator mounts under the dash, you loose about half of the glove box. The original heater is removed. It only takes about 2 inches from the knee room, I still have plenty of room to sit and I'm a big boy, 6'2" 225lbs The brackets that come in the kit locate the compressor where the Gen/Alt originally mounted and the Alternator mounts above the compressor. The compressor from the kit has 2 belt grooves, 1 belt goes around the crank, water pump and compressor and one short belt from the compressor to Alternator. Not a conventional set up but this works with a single groove crank pulley. If I ever figure out how to get a digital image on here I'll get some shots up I don't know how to make the JPG image into a "complete URL"

You can see it at vintagair.com

OK folks, I'm done! I had to run up to Napa and get the hose ends crimped (they come with one end crimped on and after you route the hoses you cut them to lenth) picked up 3 cans of 134a coolant and finished the job. Blows ice cold. I'll have to drive it a while and see if the engine runs cool I may need to add a fan for more airflow at the radiator.

One last update on this A/C project. Due to the engine getting a bit hot in traffic in 95+ weather (something Chevy1 mentioned), I decided to add an electric fan in front of the condenser/radiator, I had one laying around from a Porsche project I had a few years back. Also, I had to upgrade the alternator to a 95 amp unit (Vintage Air recommends at least 80 amp output). I got stuck with a dead battery just one time and had to push start the beast. Now all systems are go and I have colder A/C in the '51 than in my Yukon.

Rick

Congrat on having coolies! !
After 22 years, I finally have some too.
My only advice is make sure you have a fan shroud or added fan(s).
My Old Air Hurricane is working well, except for all the cold air being sucked out of the gaps in the doors and floors, and my truck running hot.
The homemade shroud is going in this weekend.
When I test fit the almost complete shroud and ran it, the AC got frigid.
I suppose there is an FAQ on how to get pictures of the install up?
Thanks,
Mike