Need Help with A/C set up please

[jgallphx]

Hey everyone,

72 C-10 Factory Air set up. Really don't want to go thru another Phoenix summer without AC. Trying to figure out what is the best option:

1.Keep my stock evaporator and purchase after marker compressor, new condensor, bracketory, POA Valve eliminator etc.

2. Complete Sur-fit kit from Vintage for $1400

My buddy(mechanic) said he would be able to put everything together from option 1 above and save some money, when I called Vintage they pretty much said it would be a waste of time to mock up new parts on a 40 year old evaporator.. So stuck in limbo here.


Don't know to much about A/C, so forgive this post if further specific information about parts are missing, just going off what I've been told up to this point. Need some help from people who have been there and done it already..

Thanks guys

[mrein3]

What is wrong with your POA valve?
Unless it doesn't work or is missing I would keep it.
Same for the condenser. Unless your buddy is changing you over to R134a.
I'm running R134a in all stock parts. All you need to do is adjust your POA for R134a, flush everything, evacuate the system, fill with R134a, and keep the $1300 you just saved in your pocket.

[SS Tim]

If you have an intact factory system I'd start with that. If you have major missing parts,or hacked off hose ends and such the answer becomes much less clear.

The factory service manual has a very comprehensive section on the A/C that is well worth reading up on before spending anything. They can be downloaded here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=558016

[jgallphx]

mrein3:

Thanks for the response. I currently don't have condensor, the only stock part from what I can tell still there is the evaporator. My buddy said the POA valve kit would eliminate the part hooked up to that evaporator now in order to bypass and allow the cooling to come into the cab?

SS Tim:

Thanks. I do need the brackets and hoses, seems there is alot missing. I will check out the link you posted. Apprcieate it

[tlcrz1972]

Ditch the POA setup entirely, upgrade to a orfice setup with an accumulator and larger evaporator, new rotary A4 compressor. Yes it will take some money but I know it will work. The old A6 compressors DO NOT process the 134A efficiently and you'll have lackluster cooling. I tried keeping the old setup, Been there done that and was disappointed with it.

I've built up several different combinations of A/C systems (POA valve, POA delete valve, and even office and accumulator) and when and only when I got rid of the A6 compressor did I finally get the system to cool properly.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by jgallphx

mrein3:

Thanks for the response. I currently don't have condensor, the only stock part from what I can tell still there is the evaporator. My buddy said the POA valve kit would eliminate the part hooked up to that evaporator now in order to bypass and allow the cooling to come into the cab?

SS Tim:

Thanks. I do need the brackets and hoses, seems there is alot missing. I will check out the link you posted. Apprcieate it

Lots of information scattered around this thread.
As long as you need a condenser, I would go with a much newer one, optimized for R134a. I'm running a stock one and it works ok because of the pickup cab being a small area to cool but a newer design with more surface area to condense the refrigerant would be better.

I converted my non AC truck to use stock AC components and did a detailed write up with part numbers. That post may be of some use to you except for your condenser. Go here and skip down to post #8:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478564
Some day I should do a write-up on how to adjust your POA to work with R134a. The pictures on autoacforum went away from the link I posted in post #4 in the above link. However if you adjust your POA properly there is nothing wrong with the compressor that GM put in 40 years ago.

[screaminchevypickup]

If you decide you want to go with vintage air I can save you a good amount off that $1400...

Kyle

[BMERDOC]

Whatever way you go don't forget to install a pusher style fan on the condenser. Wire it so that it comes on when you call for A/C but doesn't cycle with the compressor. It makes the system way more efficient. Especially in stop and go traffic.

[tlcrz1972]

The pusher fan isn't required, my two trucks a/c systems are running with a factory fan clutch, and they both cool great.

I did a system for a friend with the electric fan and it does cool just as well, but the expense of the fan system isn't needed.

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Whatever way you go don't forget to install a pusher style fan on the condenser. Wire it so that it comes on when you call for A/C but doesn't cycle with the compressor. It makes the system way more efficient. Especially in stop and go traffic.

[jjzepplin]

So will a 73 up style evaporator fit right in to a 67-72 case? Or do you just bolt on the orifice type accumulator ?

[myyamr7]

I went with all stock parts on my 71 last year, and it worked awesome. I also was able to find a shop that still had the R-12, so it was working the way it was designed to. I swapped the motor over the winter and broke one of the AC lines, lucky the shop I used still has the R-12. He suggested I upgrade the POA valve to a cycling pressure switch type before charging again, so I ordered that and the new line.

[tlcrz1972]

Well I hate to give away info I had to go and research trial and error, and learn on my own, but I'll say your barking up the right tree with the '73 up evaporator. And the upper tube will have to be rebent just a little bit to allow for the accumulator to connect onto the evap. output fitting. And that depends on what kind of accumulator you find. I found a unit that fits great and has a bottom output.

Now you know you'll have to create all new hoses to do this change, it isn't worth the trouble to take old existing hoses and have new ends crimped on them.

I did a complete job for a friend on his '72 jimmy and (don't hold me to the amount) but I recall I spent upwards of $600 just in parts. All new parts condenser, evaporator lines, fittings, everything but the A4 compressor, to create him a 134A system that works.
And he paid me nicely to do the whole job.
But after all was finished there was one little mishap, a new o-ring seal decided to fail, but after that was corrected he has an awesome cooling system.

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

So will a 73 up style evaporator fit right in to a 67-72 case? Or do you just bolt on the orifice type accumulator ?

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

So will a 73 up style evaporator fit right in to a 67-72 case? Or do you just bolt on the orifice type accumulator ?

Yes it will. The orifice tube goes in the evaporator inlet, so that is not a big deal. I used an accumulator from an 85 or 86 truck, no bending required.

[jgallphx]

Thanks for the input everyone, and the useful links. This is helping a great deal in deciding which direction to go!

[Andy4639]

80's model truck upgrades in my 71. The only hoses I had made where to the compressor. I wanted new hoses for the install. It has had dual fans added since the LSx motor swap and I have a 18" fan in front of the grille.

Condensor for 134a freon new along with new evaperator for 134a with acumaltor. Truck AC runs at 40 degree's when it's 90 degree's outside.