The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop anyone have a/c in their 41-46?

So, I've learned to live without, but as summer drags on again the thought is crossing my mind (such as a mark iv evap from vintage air ). I'm not convinced that it would cool well enough to keep up with the massive amount of heat coming through the firewall.

I tried dynamat and normal insulation with the grey stuff on one side and the silver reflective on the other and got no better result. I ended up ripping it out and cursing myself for getting all of the goo on the firewall.

I was wondering if anyone had put a/c in their 41-46?

If so, what did you do about the heat from the engine flowing straight in the leg area?

and, are you satisfied with the performance?


I'm unconcerned with the cost and logistics of installation. I work on stock a/c systems regularly and have installed 3 or 4 aftermarkets in vintage rides for people. Never done one in something with such a heat transfer problem though...

I know what you are saying about heat thru the Firewall on a warm day !....and our warm days don't come anywhere near those in Texas ! I think the Vintage Air / Hot Rod Air systems would keep up becasue the cabs pretty small. I have been considering but not sure it will fit under dash without looking ugly.

i forgot that It would require a creative bracket to keep the cowl vent operable. Im hoping that someone chimes in that has a/c and can comment on the heat transfer problem.

Done a 46 twenty five years ago that is still cooling great at 55mph. 65-70mph and the cool all gets sucked out of the cab. First two things done was to seal the swing out windshield and cowl vent PERMANENTLY. With heat, a/c, and side windows you don't need them. They leak water so they darn sure leak air. Used stick on mat for sound only and covered it with the bubble foil for good heat insolation. You can hold the back of your hand against the firewall or trans tunnel and not feel a change in heat from other cab parts. The bubble foil also was used on the roof, cab back, inside of doors, and in the kick panels as well as the floor and firewall.

Shane, I used a Hyper Cool unit on mine. I have it tucked in behind the glove box and the cowl vent is fully functional. I'll have to let you know how it works though, hopefully I get to try it in August.

Check out the Hurricane made by Old Air Products. The unit is about the same size as the stock heater. I am intending to use this but I am still at least a year away from buying anything. They are located south of Fort Worth Texas.

Somewhere I read some complaints about the performance but most likely it had to do with poor insulation of the cab and air leaks.

I hope this helps. Its the only unit I have seen that looks like it would fit without removing out the cowl vent.

I have an old air unit in a 62 falcon. It works fine. I have some definite air leaks to fix before i even consider a/c. I thought the heat was just radiating, but I noticed a hot draft while driving and looked and saw that the felt was out of place where the choke and throttle cables go through the firewall. I'm sure i would love driving my truck more with it, but I'm not sure i'll be happy with the looks of it and i would like to keep my cowl vent (I was considering a under dash evap.)

Here's a pic of the Hyper Cool unit mounted.

http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums...ion=view&current=46ChevyTruck038.jpg

Evan,
What is bubble foil & where do you get it?
Is it self stick or do you have to apply glue?
Is there a web site for it?
Thanks,
Harold

Harold, not sure where Evan got his but I picked up some at Lowes, basically it's like bubble wrap but with foil on both sides of it. I used it to insulate my garage as well. It is not self adhering. I bought a roll 48" wide but I forgot how long it is, looks to be enough for the whole truck for around 35 bucks.

These air conditioning units are mounted in the cab with a drain that goes outside? Do they work just using inside air?

YES.