Old Air Products A/C Installation Review

[ivanuf2]

After reading all posts about different A/C systems and their set up I decided to order the Hurricane set up from Old Air Products for my 67 GMC. It had a good reputation with users and I loved the electric control that fits right into the A/C control opening with out modification. I ordered the system to be installed on a smooth firewall, what they do is that the A/C and Heater lines from the evaporator instead of coming out from the back of the unit, they have them coming out to the side of the evaporator. This change created a very tight fit to install the evaporator under the dash. I had to hammer the inside firewall bump on the top right corner to fit the top A/C line into the evaporator. I am NOT USING THE HEATER on my install, this made the installation possible with the smooth firewall changes. I will not recommend this change to anyone that will use the heather and defrost. The A/C kit for a regular install thru the firewall has a mounting plate that will make the installation much easier, but I wanted a custom install and I paid the price. I also got the A/C compressor and alternator bracket from them and they fit great and have a clean engine look. (see photos).

The system is very complete and blows nice cold air, the control has an A/C bottom that you can not really see the light (on or off) during the day. Mine will need to be replaced because I will not stay on. The corner vents are really compact and look nice and elegant, the center vent is a stock looking type. The condenser and dryer with the pre-bet lines fit like a glove and the lines go into the engine bay right where the battery A/C line holder is located, if your battery tray does not have one, they provide a bracket with the kit.

After the install was completed I can point out the following tips:

1. Get the kit with the firewall plates if your going to use the heater and defrost.
2. The kit does not includes an evaporator fan, It is needed to keep the system cool until the engine fans kick in (mine has (2) electric fans).
3. Buy the system before paint and body work to cut all the openings in the cabin and firewall before paint, and also have the engine parts in place when placing the engine into the body.
4. Make sure to measure the water pump (long or short) to order the correct brackets, my mechanic made a mistake and I found out I had the wrong brackets after they were painted, now I have them listed on Ebay for sale, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1182.

Overall a nice kit and easy install when ordered as is designed.

[72freak]

Very nice...I will be doing an "Old Air" kit very soon on my 69. thanks for the information!

[ivanuf2]

Some more photos of the install

[Clyde65]

They are located just about 5 minutes away from me, I have their unit and so does my Dad, they are always very eager to help out.

[leddzepp]

I used their A/10 replacement compressor. Very impressed with it. I will buy their products again.

[TazmanB]

I was looking at getting the Alt and A/C compressor brakets from them. I just bought a 69 long bed and the brackets do not line up right and both the power steering and Alt belts are squeeking. What are the part numbers for the brackets you got?

[ivanuf2]

The A/C is the 40-100R (Passenger Side) Short Water Pump. Alternator bracket is 40-200L (Drivers Side)

[TazmanB]

Thank you for the part numbers for the brackets. It is hard to see what the brackets look like on their website. I am also going to buy the A/C kit from them. Did you get the standard kit or upgrade some of the parts?

[ivanuf2]

Standard kit with brackets.

[71meangreenc10]

Nice looking setup....

Smitty

[chevyc10lover]

great truck! i need a sistem like that i dont need the heater either.
here we have over 100°f at least 8 months a year...ill save $$ for this sistem .(dont tell my wife)

Originally Posted by ivanuf2

After reading all posts about different A/C systems and their set up I decided to order the Hurricane set up from Old Air Products for my 67 GMC. It had a good reputation with users and I loved the electric control that fits right into the A/C control opening with out modification. I ordered the system to be installed on a smooth firewall, what they do is that the A/C and Heater lines from the evaporator instead of coming out from the back of the unit, they have them coming out to the side of the evaporator. This change created a very tight fit to install the evaporator under the dash. I had to hammer the inside firewall bump on the top right corner to fit the top A/C line into the evaporator. I am NOT USING THE HEATER on my install, this made the installation possible with the smooth firewall changes. I will not recommend this change to anyone that will use the heather and defrost. The A/C kit for a regular install thru the firewall has a mounting plate that will make the installation much easier, but I wanted a custom install and I paid the price. I also got the A/C compressor and alternator bracket from them and they fit great and have a clean engine look. (see photos).

The system is very complete and blows nice cold air, the control has an A/C bottom that you can not really see the light (on or off) during the day. Mine will need to be replaced because I will not stay on. The corner vents are really compact and look nice and elegant, the center vent is a stock looking type. The condenser and dryer with the pre-bet lines fit like a glove and the lines go into the engine bay right where the battery A/C line holder is located, if your battery tray does not have one, they provide a bracket with the kit.

After the install was completed I can point out the following tips:

1. Get the kit with the firewall plates if your going to use the heater and defrost.
2. The kit does not includes an evaporator fan, It is needed to keep the system cool until the engine fans kick in (mine has (2) electric fans).
3. Buy the system before paint and body work to cut all the openings in the cabin and firewall before paint, and also have the engine parts in place when placing the engine into the body.
4. Make sure to measure the water pump (long or short) to order the correct brackets, my mechanic made a mistake and I found out I had the wrong brackets after they were painted, now I have them listed on Ebay for sale, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1182.

Overall a nice kit and easy install when ordered as is designed.

[ivanuf2]

Actually all you need to do is go with your wife to do some errands on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and once you guys get home you say, Honey I was thinking of buying an AC system for the truck, what do you think??

[chevyc10lover]

great advice! tnks! i hope it works...

Originally Posted by ivanuf2

Actually all you need to do is go with your wife to do some errands on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and once you guys get home you say, Honey I was thinking of buying an AC system for the truck, what do you think??

[domeier]

I installed the cab side of the hurricane system on my truck some years ago, but ran into trouble with pulley offsets, so never got around to hanging the compressor. I started in on it again this afternoon, and I'll just throw money at it until it's done. I'll put up some photos maybe tomorrow when I get the alternator and compressor mounted. Will have lots of questions about which pulleys to finish it off, and where to get them.

If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a used complete GM system, or just go without aircon. The heater in this unit puts out about 50% of what the Chevy core did, and the defrost is particularly weak. Also, all the plastic parts are really flimsy.

I wouldn't recommend it.

[repeeler]

Originally Posted by domeier

I installed the cab side of the hurricane system on my truck some years ago, but ran into trouble with pulley offsets, so never got around to hanging the compressor. I started in on it again this afternoon, and I'll just throw money at it until it's done. I'll put up some photos maybe tomorrow when I get the alternator and compressor mounted. Will have lots of questions about which pulleys to finish it off, and where to get them.

If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a used complete GM system, or just go without aircon. The heater in this unit puts out about 50% of what the Chevy core did, and the defrost is particularly weak. Also, all the plastic parts are really flimsy.

I wouldn't recommend it.

Must be something wrong then...I have this system in my 71 and the heater will burn you out of the truck. It was 29 here this am and only had to turn the fan on low!

[clwest]

I just installed their a/c heater system in my 67 non a/c cab truck. It took almost two months to receive the unit, and then it did not have the pressure switch. The instructions are at least awful. It has a switch to cycle the compressor to prevent freezing up, but there is no wiring or even a mention of the wiring to this switch. I will go with another company next time. Just my opinion with my experience.

[Clyde65]

clwest, you need to call them and raise some H, that is not cool to do a customer like that

[clwest]

I purchased the kit through a local bodyshop who is a dealer for company, I did not want to cause any problems for the local guy, he has been pretty good to me. With that being said, local guy of not, I will try Vintage Air on my 56.

[tonys87]

Originally Posted by clwest

I just installed their a/c heater system in my 67 non a/c cab truck. It took almost two months to receive the unit, and then it did not have the pressure switch. The instructions are at least awful. It has a switch to cycle the compressor to prevent freezing up, but there is no wiring or even a mention of the wiring to this switch. I will go with another company next time. Just my opinion with my experience.

Hi, I also have their kit and was wondering about this switch you speak of, to prevent freezing.. when does this switch come in handy. I live in las vegas where we really never see and real cold weather.. plus its parked in the garage. but maybe it has nothing to do with that.

one of my hoses just recently leaked most of the freon yesterday after showing my friend what a nice kit it was.. after shuting down the engine and Ac.. we heard some sizzeling, it was the hose. not sure if there is some maintnance that i neglected to do?? car has 3,000 miles since installing the kit.. i would think the hoses would last longer then that.

[hyatt]

I had a custom shop for 23 years Specilized in ac and electrical I have installed several brands Vintage air old air etc I personally like the Old Air setup and have been running one on my own 46 for over 15 years

[NorCalK5]

I just purchased one of these Old Air kits with the electric controls for my '72 Blazer. Can anybody tell me if it hooks up to the vacuum actuator located on the passenger side under the wiper cowl that lets fresh air in?

If not how do I get that thing to move?

['68 Newtricks]

Bumping this
I can't seem to find my directions booklet. Can anyone tell me how to set the adjustable thermostat that probes into the coil?

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

Bumping this
I can't seem to find my directions booklet. Can anyone tell me how to set the adjustable thermostat that probes into the coil?

I just got my system this week.
I can not answer your question.
Here is a couple of pictures
of the instructions pertaining to that.

[72MARIO]

Originally Posted by domeier

I installed the cab side of the hurricane system on my truck some years ago, but ran into trouble with pulley offsets, so never got around to hanging the compressor. I started in on it again this afternoon, and I'll just throw money at it until it's done. I'll put up some photos maybe tomorrow when I get the alternator and compressor mounted. Will have lots of questions about which pulleys to finish it off, and where to get them.
If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a used complete GM system, or just go without aircon. The heater in this unit puts out about 50% of what the Chevy core did, and the defrost is particularly weak. Also, all the plastic parts are really flimsy.

I wouldn't recommend it.

I got to agree I installed this kit in my suburban. Sure it installed ok but perdormance is Total junk. Heat sucks and isnt enough to warm the inside of the cab in the fall. Didn't work well with the 327 and a 180 stat and no better with the 6.0 running a 195. Defrost actually foggs the entire truck up. I wouldnt reccomend using it if heat and defog functions are needed. I also had the high pressure hose fitting break off the compressor.

[v8truckin]

Can someone post a pic of the backside of their Old Air Product control unit? Would like to see if the 2 split blue wires are connected to anything.

My ride went in for full repaint in April with an 2 month old and working heat/AC unit and got it back but heat/AC wasn’t working.I found grounds disconnected and that resolved the heater issue and my AC compressor kicks on now as well but no cold air. I noticed now there are 2 blue wires not attached to anything in the back of the control unit. Can’t think of anything else other than maybe Freon leaked out…
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Edit: Nevermind found out the blue wires are optional for lighting on the control panel