Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69_hafton · 08-17-2006, 03:06 PM

Is it possible? I've looked at the kits from Vintage Air and Old Air but haven't been able to find out if it's do-able. I've got the power steering and alternator on the driver's side of the engine and I'd like to leave them there. Also, I've got a GM HEI distributor that looks like it'd be in the way of the bracket I've seen (from a 250).

Anyone have pics or have installed AC on their trucks with an inline? Even pics of a factory install would be nice. I just want to see what I'm up against on this project so I can start planning.

PanelDeland · 08-17-2006, 03:39 PM

I don't remember ever seeing one.I do kinow they were offered.I would guess the mounting brckets would have to be factory or made.I doubt there is much call for them thru the aftermarket.Most people build these trucks with a bellybutton(sorry sbc guys) or a BB.Only a few of us non-conforming die-hards want to keep a 6.
If it's a 250 there should be brackets on some cars,like Nova's(I've been told that's where to get power steering pump brackets anyway).For a 292 they may be the same but I have no knowledge on that.The interior parts you could get factory or from one of the vendors mentioned.

70rs/ss · 08-17-2006, 04:33 PM

look in 70's cars and trucks in wrecking yards, AC came on L6, that would at least get the compressor mount.

Good luck

Rod · 08-17-2006, 08:07 PM

botietruck posted these pics last year

chucks70 · 08-17-2006, 08:20 PM

Yes it is possible even with HEI. Some early HEI units had a remote coil pak, the dist. cap was about as high as a point cap. I saw a 250 CI '75 1/2 ton in a local u-pull it about 2 years ago with AC. Could kick myself for not getting the set up off of it. As for a 292 a board member named GeeEmm posted a pick of brackets for it a while back. According to him there were 2 different set ups available, HEI and pre-HEI. I don't think he posts anymore though.
Nice pics of the 250 set up by the way.
I was told that 292 bracket was kinda rare but could be found in some Burbs, delivery vans and the like. If I ever see them on a 250 in the u-pull it again I'm going to grab the brackets and see if they'll go on a 292.

69_hafton · 08-17-2006, 08:31 PM

Panel, I don't have any plan in switching to a sbc, and air is a must if I'm to drive this more in the summer. 100 degree days with no end in sight. Maybe before next summer I'll get all the piece together?

Thanks, Rod - that's what I was looking for. And some specifics. Must not be an HEI because there's a coil there below the AC compressor. I wonder what type of compressor that is?

69_hafton · 08-17-2006, 08:33 PM

Chuck - the bracket appears to bolt to the head, and the head the same between the 250 and 292 - so maybe it would work...

chucks70 · 08-17-2006, 08:44 PM

Hafton, I didn't know the heads were the same, that's great info.
Chuck

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-18-2006, 04:32 AM

Pm Sent

davidh · 08-22-2006, 09:23 PM

I would think vintage air would have ac compressors for the L6 motors. I've seen eary F1 pu's with the clipper 6 and have vintage air

subtle71 · 08-23-2006, 12:53 AM

69 hafton,
Give Mike Buratovich, Vintage Air Sales Manager, a call on this one. He has all the brackets and everything needed for what you are wanting. I did this originally on mine. Only thing I had to do was get a harmonic balancer off a late 70's/early 80's GM car, like a Malibu if I remember correctly, to get the extra belt groove that I needed. I was able to get an older parts guy at the Chevy dealership to research this for me. I would offer up my old one, but I gave that complete engine to Krue. Here are some pics of the set up I had.

Dean

70rs/ss · 08-23-2006, 11:23 AM

I am buying a 67 chevelle (it's a 4 door, but better than nothing!) and it has an AC unit with an L6, I'll try to get some picts, they are out there, they came from the factory with ac and L6's as well as someone in the aftermarket has to do it. Do a search for AC inline six and see what the net serves up.

Check it, one search netted hundreds of hits and this is the place, hope you like the service!!

http://www.merchantamerica.com/chevy...&category=6237

Go to this link, it says they do the chevy and GMC 6 so you V6 ers can do it as well!!

Dano69c10 · 08-23-2006, 04:10 PM

I bought a Vintage Air unit and it came with the bracket for my L-6 250ci.
When you order over the phone they will ask you what type of engine you have and ask which side you want to mount the compressor.
Dano

69_hafton · 08-23-2006, 09:00 PM

Chuck, before you invest anything, I found some threads on inliners that says there are differences in the 250 & 292 head. Mainly the difference affects the power steering bracket that you use after swapping. Keep the ps bracket with the head it came with.

The passenger side of the heads may be the same, but I've heard that you can use a 250 head on a 292 and vice versa.

About AC on a 292, I got an email back from someone at GMC Pauls that said the brackets are specific to a 292, but they are available in the Old Air kit and will work with a HEI distributor in place. I'll check into the Vintage Air kit also, but from what I've seen, I like the Old Air kit.

Any other pics? It's nice to get all this info in one thread, saves hunting later for anyone interested. Subtle, was that a 250 you had? How many rows did you need on the harmonic balancer - I've got 2?

davidh · 08-23-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtle71

69 hafton,
Give Mike Buratovich, Vintage Air Sales Manager, a call on this one. He has all the brackets and everything needed for what you are wanting. I did this originally on mine. Only thing I had to do was get a harmonic balancer off a late 70's/early 80's GM car, like a Malibu if I remember correctly, to get the extra belt groove that I needed. I was able to get an older parts guy at the Chevy dealership to research this for me. I would offer up my old one, but I gave that complete engine to Krue. Here are some pics of the set up I had.

Dean

The 292 balancer is unique to that engine and is only found in trucks(from what I've been told). Will the pulleys from a 250 bolt on a 292? Good luck finding a 292 factory AC truck that hasn't been crushed.(I would think)

chucks70 · 08-23-2006, 09:42 PM

Thanks Hafton. I still think if I see a 250 set up I'll grab it, might be able to make an adapter plate from 1/4 inch steel to get it to line up correctly. My truck doesn't have power steering and I'll probably keep it that way for now.
In looking at the pics from 2 different sources I see that the routing for the drive belts looks different. In the first, the belt wraps aroung the water pump and crank, in the second it bypasses the water pump and drives both the AC and PS. I think the first set up would be more reliable and looks better.

Chuck

**special-K** · 08-24-2006, 06:41 AM

I had a`78 C/10 with a 292,a/c,and HEI from factory.They`re out there and can be had.Although,not to common.

Botietruck · 08-24-2006, 08:14 AM

69 haf ton, I purchased the compressor from NAPA. about 5 years ago.

08-17-2006, 03:06 PM	#1
69_hafton Sleep-Deprived Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 445	Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Is it possible? I've looked at the kits from Vintage Air and Old Air but haven't been able to find out if it's do-able. I've got the power steering and alternator on the driver's side of the engine and I'd like to leave them there. Also, I've got a GM HEI distributor that looks like it'd be in the way of the bracket I've seen (from a 250). Anyone have pics or have installed AC on their trucks with an inline? Even pics of a factory install would be nice. I just want to see what I'm up against on this project so I can start planning. __________________ 1971 K/10 Long Fleetside 350/350 - 6" Lift 1969 C/10 SWB 292 - Sold It

08-17-2006, 03:39 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? I don't remember ever seeing one.I do kinow they were offered.I would guess the mounting brckets would have to be factory or made.I doubt there is much call for them thru the aftermarket.Most people build these trucks with a bellybutton(sorry sbc guys) or a BB.Only a few of us non-conforming die-hards want to keep a 6. If it's a 250 there should be brackets on some cars,like Nova's(I've been told that's where to get power steering pump brackets anyway).For a 292 they may be the same but I have no knowledge on that.The interior parts you could get factory or from one of the vendors mentioned. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

08-17-2006, 04:33 PM	#3
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? look in 70's cars and trucks in wrecking yards, AC came on L6, that would at least get the compressor mount. Good luck

08-17-2006, 08:07 PM	#4
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? botietruck posted these pics last year Attached Images __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

08-17-2006, 08:20 PM	#5
chucks70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cadiz, OH Posts: 628	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Yes it is possible even with HEI. Some early HEI units had a remote coil pak, the dist. cap was about as high as a point cap. I saw a 250 CI '75 1/2 ton in a local u-pull it about 2 years ago with AC. Could kick myself for not getting the set up off of it. As for a 292 a board member named GeeEmm posted a pick of brackets for it a while back. According to him there were 2 different set ups available, HEI and pre-HEI. I don't think he posts anymore though. Nice pics of the 250 set up by the way. I was told that 292 bracket was kinda rare but could be found in some Burbs, delivery vans and the like. If I ever see them on a 250 in the u-pull it again I'm going to grab the brackets and see if they'll go on a 292. __________________ 68 1 ton dually 292, 2001 Sebring, 2004 Trailblazer, 11 Camaro Convertible.

08-17-2006, 08:31 PM	#6
69_hafton Sleep-Deprived Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 445	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Panel, I don't have any plan in switching to a sbc, and air is a must if I'm to drive this more in the summer. 100 degree days with no end in sight. Maybe before next summer I'll get all the piece together? Thanks, Rod - that's what I was looking for. And some specifics. Must not be an HEI because there's a coil there below the AC compressor. I wonder what type of compressor that is? __________________ 1971 K/10 Long Fleetside 350/350 - 6" Lift 1969 C/10 SWB 292 - Sold It

08-17-2006, 08:33 PM	#7
69_hafton Sleep-Deprived Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 445	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Chuck - the bracket appears to bolt to the head, and the head the same between the 250 and 292 - so maybe it would work... __________________ 1971 K/10 Long Fleetside 350/350 - 6" Lift 1969 C/10 SWB 292 - Sold It

08-17-2006, 08:44 PM	#8
chucks70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cadiz, OH Posts: 628	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Hafton, I didn't know the heads were the same, that's great info. Chuck __________________ 68 1 ton dually 292, 2001 Sebring, 2004 Trailblazer, 11 Camaro Convertible.

08-18-2006, 04:32 AM	#9
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Pm Sent __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

08-22-2006, 09:23 PM	#10
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? I would think vintage air would have ac compressors for the L6 motors. I've seen eary F1 pu's with the clipper 6 and have vintage air

08-23-2006, 12:53 AM	#11
subtle71 Granddad's Ol' Truck Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MS Posts: 588	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? 69 hafton, Give Mike Buratovich, Vintage Air Sales Manager, a call on this one. He has all the brackets and everything needed for what you are wanting. I did this originally on mine. Only thing I had to do was get a harmonic balancer off a late 70's/early 80's GM car, like a Malibu if I remember correctly, to get the extra belt groove that I needed. I was able to get an older parts guy at the Chevy dealership to research this for me. I would offer up my old one, but I gave that complete engine to Krue. Here are some pics of the set up I had. Dean Attached Images __________________ *1971 Chevrolet Custom 10 short step-side* *2005 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD crew cab 2wd* [I]1971 Chevrolet Custom 10 Deluxe lwb fleet-side

08-23-2006, 11:23 AM	#12
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? I am buying a 67 chevelle (it's a 4 door, but better than nothing!) and it has an AC unit with an L6, I'll try to get some picts, they are out there, they came from the factory with ac and L6's as well as someone in the aftermarket has to do it. Do a search for AC inline six and see what the net serves up. Check it, one search netted hundreds of hits and this is the place, hope you like the service!! http://www.merchantamerica.com/chevy...&category=6237 Go to this link, it says they do the chevy and GMC 6 so you V6 ers can do it as well!! Last edited by 70rs/ss; 08-23-2006 at 11:25 AM.

08-23-2006, 04:10 PM	#13
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? I bought a Vintage Air unit and it came with the bracket for my L-6 250ci. When you order over the phone they will ask you what type of engine you have and ask which side you want to mount the compressor. Dano __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!

08-23-2006, 09:00 PM	#14
69_hafton Sleep-Deprived Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 445	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Chuck, before you invest anything, I found some threads on inliners that says there are differences in the 250 & 292 head. Mainly the difference affects the power steering bracket that you use after swapping. Keep the ps bracket with the head it came with. The passenger side of the heads may be the same, but I've heard that you can use a 250 head on a 292 and vice versa. About AC on a 292, I got an email back from someone at GMC Pauls that said the brackets are specific to a 292, but they are available in the Old Air kit and will work with a HEI distributor in place. I'll check into the Vintage Air kit also, but from what I've seen, I like the Old Air kit. Any other pics? It's nice to get all this info in one thread, saves hunting later for anyone interested. Subtle, was that a 250 you had? How many rows did you need on the harmonic balancer - I've got 2? __________________ 1971 K/10 Long Fleetside 350/350 - 6" Lift 1969 C/10 SWB 292 - Sold It

08-23-2006, 09:42 PM	#16
chucks70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cadiz, OH Posts: 628	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? Thanks Hafton. I still think if I see a 250 set up I'll grab it, might be able to make an adapter plate from 1/4 inch steel to get it to line up correctly. My truck doesn't have power steering and I'll probably keep it that way for now. In looking at the pics from 2 different sources I see that the routing for the drive belts looks different. In the first, the belt wraps aroung the water pump and crank, in the second it bypasses the water pump and drives both the AC and PS. I think the first set up would be more reliable and looks better. Chuck __________________ 68 1 ton dually 292, 2001 Sebring, 2004 Trailblazer, 11 Camaro Convertible.



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08-24-2006, 06:41 AM	#17
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? I had a`78 C/10 with a 292,a/c,and HEI from factory.They`re out there and can be had.Although,not to common. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-24-2006, 08:14 AM	#18
Botietruck '71 chevy s.bed/s.side Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,571	Re: Air Conditioning for an inline 250 or 292? 69 haf ton, I purchased the compressor from NAPA. about 5 years ago. __________________ STILL PLAYS WITH CARS...AND TRUCKS!! Parents! Be good to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home! 250 I-6 with a 3 speed Saginaw and Borg Warner Overdrive...She's got overdrive!

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