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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Clever, Missouri
Posts: 32
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To Stock AC or not to Stock AC
My '72 came from the plant with AC. It no longer functions, but I do have all the pieces parts.
Is it more economical to restore the original AC or go with an aftermarket unit? (If I can ever afford it.) |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 156
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It all depends on which part of your system is not working. If it's only one or two items, even if large/expensive, it's probably still cheaper to fix. But if you have to replace many items, aftermarket may be the way to go. I only speak from the experience of my dad...he purchased a truck with a "complete" factory a/c. By the time he was done replacing bad parts, he'd spent almost as much as a complete AM kit. And once converted to 134 from R12, it didn't cool as well as the AM kits either. But it "looked" factory....which may be a plus or minus depending on you view.
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'72 C10 lwb 454/TH400 |
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#3 |
Lovin' Life in Miss.!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Puckett, Mississippi
Posts: 1,937
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Due to money, there was no considereration given to an aftermarket set up. I am modifiying my factory system for maximum performance. Bobbyk has helped a lot of people (me included) on the FAQ's with his a/c thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=112463
What I like about using the factory set up is the individual parts are relativly cheap. you can buy a part or two when funds permit. The kits are a big lump sum up front. I do not have the fiscal discipline to save up large dollar amounts. Hope this helps.
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The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!! |
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#4 |
Active Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: ALABAMA
Posts: 110
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I have a 1969 with factory air that was converted to 134 does not cool very well. If you have the money to spend I would suggest an after market system designed for 134.
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#5 |
On the road
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NATCHITOCHES LOUISIANA
Posts: 818
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Yeah, read the post BobbyK did, I have factory air with 134A done very similar to his and I have 48 degree air coming out of it. It works good if you get everything right.
Mike
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Mike Castro- 72 SWB. Ochre and White. 496/400 turbo, GV OD ,Dakota Digital dash , tilt, Vintage Air, PS, hydro boost, factory buckets, console, QA-1 Coil over suspension, 20/20"Billet Specialties Magnetos 72 SWB. Med blue. 454/400 turbo, tach, tilt, Stock AC, PS,PDB, factory buckets, console, ECE 4/6 drop w/ 2" blocks and C-notch, 20/20"Coys- Crashed and destroyed by drunk driver Sept 2019. New 72 build in the works. My new build thread "Castro" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=820934 My old build thread, the blue truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=271489 www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com |
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#6 | |
Lovin' Life in Miss.!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Puckett, Mississippi
Posts: 1,937
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Quote:
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The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!! |
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#7 |
Mike
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: west chester pa
Posts: 2,474
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Chickenwing,go here http://www.autoacforum.com/categorie...d=2&zb=4293383 and do a search on the other view of duracool,a hydrocarbon,and banned in 15 states.Also the system has to be converted to the same specs as a r134 system.Also do a search on poa valves and how to set them for better cooling with r134.
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70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Texas
Posts: 265
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Just a data point.
I have the stock compressor, condenser, controls and duct work in my '69. Everything else was replaced new. POA eliminator kit, parallel flow evaporator, expansion valve, new custom hoses, and new drier. I have less than $500 dollars in the new parts. $300 dollars for new hard lines, drier, evaporator, vacuum can, and expansion valve. And $180 for custom hoses (they go across to the driver side mounted compressor). When charged (R134a), I measured 46 degree outlet temps on a 90+ day. As I understand it, the underdash units require quite abit of work, rewiring and drilling holes to install them. The fan noise for a underdash unit is much louder than the stock system. Some of the controls for the underdash units are not compatible with the stock control panel. I did a lot of research and the $1000 kits just didn't seem like a smart buy to me. If I had a really early model car that didn't have any stock AC parts then yes the kits would be a wise choice. But with stock AC parts available for our trucks, the kits don't seem too good of a deal.
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'69 C/10 Short Wide 350/400/AC/Tilt/Tach |
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