Stalling with AC in a 1970 402

[davepl]

I don't like to keep my idle too high (about 500 in drive), but sometimes that's not enough to keep the engine from stalling if I have the AC on high and do a tight turn, for example... the accessory load will stall the engine sometimes.

There's no "idle kicker" or solenoid on the 1970, so I'm wondering:

a) Does anyone else experience this?
b) Can a later model solenoid be retrofitted easily?

Thanks,
Dave

[AussieinNC]

Anything can be made to work...

What carb and manifold ?

The "kicker" solenoid just bolts to a carb stud and nut, plus a lock pin,,,wired in relayed parallel circuit energized when A/C is turned on....

In my mind, 500 is a bit low...maybe try 650 hot and see how it goes...

Have fun...

[Steeveedee]

How hard are you turning the steering wheel? If you are "two-blocking" - hitting the stops hard when turning- that can pull enough energy from the engine to stall it. Further, you should never "two-block" the steering at all, as this drives pump pressures high enough to burst the high pressure hose (with a potentially catastrophic fire). Ask me how I know. Fortunately, it was just a '61 Studebaker Lark VIII convertible. I wouldn't mind having that critter now, if only for the resale value.

[Aus69c20]

I run my 396 at 600rpm in gear and have no problems with stalling with the a/c

[Ol Blue K20]

I think 500 is too low of rpm, try 650. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to retro a idle solenoid on there though.

[1972RedNeck]

What's your idle speed in neutral with the A/C off?