The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Old Air A/c

If anyone is looking to add A/C to their truck, I highly recommend Old Air. I wanted to add dehumidifed defrost, but it was not an option for my kit. I called them and explained what I wanted and ordered the switch I would need. The made me brackets and added the hardware I would need as well as sending me pictures on how to mount it. I was only charged for the switch. They are the best after market supplier I have dealt with to date. Just thought someone might want to know.

Macziggy04

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/560933974hNcFzO?vhost=good-times

Good to know.

I can't recommend HotRod Air. My system has never worked right. Their techs can't figure out why. Wish you had posted this last June.

Good to know I have been looking at Old Air because I like the fact that they have a control panel for the Task Force trucks that look just like the stock deluxe piece.

This sounds close to vendor banging there Cletis.

I realized that as I was writing it. I trimmed it to just the facts as I see them before submitting. I've changed the wording a little more now.

I went with Old Aire in my 54 truck because all the major line hookups are on the engine side of the firewall. Have used the V. Aire and discovered working up under the dash is for younger more flexible guys. Olde Aire's underdash distribution system is great and their 3 speed fan will flip your skirt on HIGH and will be a whisper on the LOW setting. Didn't need their tech support as everything went in according to the instructions. I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Dave

This is very timely information for me. All of the manufacturers make it sound like theirs is the best so getting first hand accounts is priceless to me. I appreciate the input.

How about one of you that has used old aire shooting me an address or e-mail, i would like to talk to them
Thanks, Mike Bourg

http://www.oldairproducts.com/

Old Air Products
8744 Forum Way
Ft. Worth, Texas
76140
Phone:
817-531-2665
Fax:
817-531-3257

Thanks I needed that Mike Bopurg

Has anyone used their Hurricane system? That's what I was planning to purchase later this year. It appears to be about the same size as the stock heater box on a 46 model. The Task Force should have a lot more room under the dash and a lot more options.

Thanks

I used their Hurricane system in my 54 truck. Had all the mounting brackets for the low compressor mount with alternator above. The underdash evaporator used a couple existing holes from the old heater (which is replaced with the new enclosed heater) as pilots for attachment. Unlike some others, the Olde Aire unit can be opened up should you need to get inside the case and I mentioned that the 3 speed fan is powerful but has a really quiet low speed which makes for a quiet cab.

The only negative is the visual effect of having the main line attachment points visible on the firewall. All hoses were crimped and no cuts were needed to the core support to run the hard lines that attach to the condensor.

I would purchase another hurricane system from them if the need arose.

Dave

Fla54Chevy3100, Are you experiencing excessive belt wear and short belt life on your compressor drive with the low mount and alternator above?
I was told by one individual that the belts wear very fast.
Cleon

I set my 235 up a little differently than most. I fabricated an alternator mount that goes on the passengers side of the block and left the space above my low mount compressor for my future power steering pump. By doing it this way, and using a 2 groove harmonic balancer, I run only one belt from the alternator over the water pump pulley down to the inboard groove. I run the compressor off the front groove of the balancer.

I've noted with a couple other project trucks that pulley alignment is critical, especially when you're trying to run 2 off of one belt. I found that using the "Gatorback" belts minimized the wear and tear. They seem to be a whole lot less likely to stretch and run quieter. If you're running a big alternator you might find they would be worth the extra money.

Dave

Boy am I glad to find ya'll. I've got a '54 1/2 ton which, being in Houston, you need an A/C. Seems the concensus is Old Aire. My concerns are: 1) Is the 235 going to overheat 2)can I get a larger radiator- such as the Desert Cooler- or is there too little space and 3) can I keep my original generator or am I doomed to switch over to an alternator.

As you may can tell, I'd like to keep things as original as possible just without passing out while driving in August.

Any of your experience is greatly appreciated!

After installation it will be nessary to change your radiator cap to about a 16lb. This will keep your engine cooler. We went through this in the add on days many years ago. I have a 16lb cap and a 16in pusher fan installed and have no trouble with over heating with the Old Air system.

As mentioned before, I'm running the Old Aire Hurricane system in my 54 truck with a 7 pound cap and have experienced NO overheating problems or belching of coolant into my overflow tank. I'm running a new radiator from LMC (no special order), a 25-75 coolant mix with distilled water, 6 blade fan on an "early" 216-235 adaptor plate mounted pump, and I did add a 16" manually controlled pusher fan in front.

Only time I've had to kick on the fan was when I was the 9th vehicle in line at a fast food gas palace at shift-change time.

I'm not saying that you should NOT go with a system pressure increase but that with a decent fan/waterpump setup that it has been a non-issue with my truck. Keeping the engine temperature stabilized at thermostat temperature and avoiding pits and peaks will insure that you've minimized cylinder wall wear.

For those of you who are considering adding A/C to your truck, OldeAire offers a quality product and getting your cooling system properly set up will make "overheating" a none issue.

Dave

I bought one of their units for my '50. I got it professionally installed and it worked for about 2 hours and died. Never worked again and I got no support form oldair.

Cost me over a grand to learn a hard lesson.

I have dealt with Old Air Porducts for some years now and have never (not saying it don't or won't happen)had any problem getting answers on thier products, They know the stuff they sell.
Mike