11-05-2009, 02:54 PM | #1 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kingston, TN
Posts: 178
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Air Conditioning
My truck is a factory air cab with all of the parts intact except for the main components in the engine bay like compressor condensor ie etc. My question is should I try to piece it all together with restoration parts or try to get a new aftermarket kit? I looked at some of the aftermarket kits and I dont like the idea of a shaved firewall and losing the main "box" on the passenger side of the firewall. Any help appreciated.
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11-05-2009, 03:09 PM | #2 |
1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 302
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Re: Air Conditioning
If it were me, I would go with the factory air.
It will increase the value of your truck and look correct. Plus, you have an AC cab... so you should use it. Just my opinion.
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-Clayton 1972 Cheyenne Super LWB 350 - farm truck restore project - twitter @oldgreen |
11-05-2009, 03:25 PM | #3 |
Between Trucks...
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Posts: 3,830
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Re: Air Conditioning
I don't have the patience to try and get a 40 year old AC system going. Pretty complex setup. I'm going to go with aftermarket when I get to that point. More power to you, if you stick with the factory system.
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Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... |
11-05-2009, 04:06 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,367
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Re: Air Conditioning
red70 ... You will get answers all over the place with your question. I kept the factory ac set up with my truck as thats what came with it and like your it was pretty much comeplete. Yours sounds like it is fairly complete so I would stick with the factory unit. If all the brackets were missing along with the rest of the hardware in your truck then I would go aftermarket. A far as total cost...I think its a toss up. Good luck!
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
11-06-2009, 03:15 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 193
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Re: Air Conditioning
I used the factory parts except for a new style compressor and condenser and just had hoses made for it. Works great, but the only thing I don't like is the center vent in the dash. It only blows straight ahead, when it really needs louvers to be able to direct air towards the driver and passenger.
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11-06-2009, 04:05 PM | #6 |
Man of Mini-Talents
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,295
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Re: Air Conditioning
If you like the factory box, you don't have much choice. Parts aren't that hard to find.
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11-06-2009, 05:27 PM | #7 |
Redefining LowBudget
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire
Posts: 4,538
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Re: Air Conditioning
subscribed I have the same issue does the late model stuff fit pretty well as far as hoses condensors and such??? any ideas on what models will fit our trucks
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1970 C10 CST fleetside 472 ....big dreams little cash... SunShine Syndicate.. Mikes Sandwich Fair Run OCT 8th 2011
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11-06-2009, 06:45 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: Air Conditioning
I would go thru the trouble and make it fsctory completely..I went aftermarket because my truck did not have a/c...
good luck..
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
11-10-2009, 12:36 AM | #9 | |
425hp409
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Prosper Texas
Posts: 841
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Re: Air Conditioning
Quote:
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Charles 68 SWB, Dad bought new, now 396 & factory ac 64 Impala SS, 409 425HP, 4 speed AC 64 Bel Air Wagon, 400 Small Block 57 Bel Air all original 283 w/Factory Air 77 GMC Sprint, 454/425HP 67 Olds 442, all original 90 ZR1 Corvette |
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11-11-2009, 06:56 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 901
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Re: Air Conditioning
I replaced the missing parts from the original air cond. system (compressor, hoses and condensor were missing!) Installed new receiver-dryer and charged up with Freon... All this was done over 15 years ago and has beem blowing cold ever since !!!!
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'71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal). Last edited by GMC Jim; 11-11-2009 at 06:56 AM. |
11-11-2009, 09:42 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Air Conditioning
the newer the air conditioning system the few MPG it takes to run them
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 11-11-2009 at 09:43 AM. |
11-11-2009, 09:59 AM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alden NY
Posts: 2,705
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Re: Air Conditioning
I wanted to restore my 70 to factory but was missing lots of A stuff. I started to piece meal it but quickly found that it was going to cost a fortune and I wouldn't be able to find all the pieces. I started looking for a parts truck and found a 68 Custom Camper rust bucket that had AC that still worked. Bought the truck for $500 and used the parts and the working system as a pattern, pulled a good running 70 350 out, sold the TH350 and assorted other parts, and scrapped the rest. Ended up ahead of the game. I converted to R134a and the AC works great, looks correct. In my opinion, if you are doing a stock restore, keep it original. If you are roddin it, go aftermarket.
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11-11-2009, 09:59 AM | #13 |
2WD Jimmy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: Air Conditioning
OK... Ive got to be different I guess. My current project was factory air. I pulled it in favor of Vintage Air. I saved all the old setup... but... in some cases, new technology is still tops. My last truck was a beutiful shortbed with factory air. I had it all in great shape, but honestly... out here in the West, it was marginal on a hot day.
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11-11-2009, 11:12 AM | #14 |
425hp409
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Prosper Texas
Posts: 841
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Re: Air Conditioning
I am in hot, humid north Texas and I find that if the system is operating properly with the expansion and POA valve doing their job, there is no other system that is as efficient. The old POA valves were extremely efficient, but very tempermental, not liking any moisture or contaminants. They are not available anymore, but the POA conversion to a cycling system works great. Just make sure that the drier is replaced and the system is evacuated and charged properly.
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Charles 68 SWB, Dad bought new, now 396 & factory ac 64 Impala SS, 409 425HP, 4 speed AC 64 Bel Air Wagon, 400 Small Block 57 Bel Air all original 283 w/Factory Air 77 GMC Sprint, 454/425HP 67 Olds 442, all original 90 ZR1 Corvette |
11-11-2009, 12:30 PM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: greenville,sc
Posts: 89
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Re: Air Conditioning
me personally, my truck also came with factory air but i am going to go with the vintige air system due to im going with a ls swap and its so much cleaner under the hood and it blows so much cooler..(i cant stand to be hot, and here in sc it gets myserable) but thats just me..
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11-11-2009, 12:38 PM | #16 |
425hp409
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Prosper Texas
Posts: 841
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Re: Air Conditioning
That would be a good idea if going with the engine swap, serpentine setup and all. It really looks good in the engine bay of our trucks.
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Charles 68 SWB, Dad bought new, now 396 & factory ac 64 Impala SS, 409 425HP, 4 speed AC 64 Bel Air Wagon, 400 Small Block 57 Bel Air all original 283 w/Factory Air 77 GMC Sprint, 454/425HP 67 Olds 442, all original 90 ZR1 Corvette |
11-11-2009, 01:47 PM | #17 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,159
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Re: Air Conditioning
Old air has a nice electronic set up with a new control unit that looks sweet.
Smitty
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