Vintage air cab kit, what compressor and condenser?

[sqrlnts]

Normally I would post this in the 47-59 board but I believe you guys deal with more A/C kits. My setup is a 57 Chevy 3100 with a small block. I plan to purchase a Vintage Air Gen II cab kit.

My question is what type of compressor (v-belt setup on passenger side) and condenser will work the best but not break the bank. Generally I am a cheap bastard that won't buy anything new but this is probably not the time for that.

Thanks in advance for any help given.

[Andy4639]

It depends on which system you go with. R-12 are 134 a.
I went with 134 a and bought the components to operate it at the peak performance and did away with the POA valve.
I would recommend the smaller sanderson compressor like mine.

[sqrlnts]

Thanks Andy, I also plan to run it on 134a.

[Andy4639]

Biggest thing I have found is 134-a requires less freon than R-12 to get it to perform well. So make sure whoever does it knows what to do with it.

[67ChevyRedneck]

So instead of buying the sure fit kit for the 55-59 you're just looking to buy the in cab kit and piece the rest together? You might spend more but you may save A TON of hassle buy getting the complete kit. With the sure fit kit, tell them what motor you have, long or short water pump, and what side of the motor you want it on and you'll get the right engine bracket and because it's a sure fit kit it will properly fit a 55-59.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

So instead of buying the sure fit kit for the 55-59 you're just looking to buy the in cab kit and piece the rest together? You might spend more but you may save A TON of hassle buy getting the complete kit. With the sure fit kit, tell them what motor you have, long or short water pump, and what side of the motor you want it on and you'll get the right engine bracket and because it's a sure fit kit it will properly fit a 55-59.

So far my research says you are correct.

[Z10]

I have a brand new vintage air compressor that I purchased last august, still in the box I'll take an offer on. I ended up purchasing a new zz4 crate motor with a front serpentine system, which has a new compressor on it, so don't need the vintage air?

Shoot me a pm

[sqrlnts]

What does this mean that the compressor does not have service ports?
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/3661859418.html

[sqrlnts]

never mind the above post, I figured it out. Some new research says that I might be able to put this kit together myself and save ~$200.

I can get the cab kit on Ebay for $475 shipped. If I go through Vintage air the rest of the kit looks like this without shipping.

$295 Sanden compresser and bracket
$140 Parallel flow condenser
$110 Hose kit with dryer
$35 Binary switch
comes out to $578 plus the $475 ebay kit for a total of $1053.

If I go with piece parting it together I get

$45 Allen Grove compressor bracket (scored on craigslist)
$140 Sanden compressor
$100 parallel flow condenser
$90 Barrier, beadlock hose kit, fittings, dryer, and binary switch
comes out to $360 plus the $475 kit above for a total of $835

Either kit will have hose crimping prices, and I have a friend who can evacuate it and charge it. One problem with buying it myself is I will have to size the condenser and compressor a bit on my own.

Any more thoughts?

[Andy4639]

Look at the kit for your model and call about it ask what size it is. Then go from there. The compressor shouldn't matter what size the system is.

[short-t]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

It depends on which system you go with. R-12 are 134 a.
I went with 134 a and bought the components to operate it at the peak performance and did away with the POA valve.
I would recommend the smaller sanderson compressor like mine.

Tell us about your evaporator and expansion valve..

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

never mind the above post, I figured it out. Some new research says that I might be able to put this kit together myself and save ~$200.

I can get the cab kit on Ebay for $475 shipped. If I go through Vintage air the rest of the kit looks like this without shipping.

$295 Sanden compresser and bracket
$140 Parallel flow condenser
$110 Hose kit with dryer
$35 Binary switch
comes out to $578 plus the $475 ebay kit for a total of $1053.

If I go with piece parting it together I get

$45 Allen Grove compressor bracket (scored on craigslist)
$140 Sanden compressor
$100 parallel flow condenser
$90 Barrier, beadlock hose kit, fittings, dryer, and binary switch
comes out to $360 plus the $475 kit above for a total of $835

Either kit will have hose crimping prices, and I have a friend who can evacuate it and charge it. One problem with buying it myself is I will have to size the condenser and compressor a bit on my own.

Any more thoughts?

Sorry to hijack, but im trying to do the same thing...

Looking on ebay, but only found a mini kit for a camaro, any help?

Ill follow along to see how you make out, i only want to have heat and defrost in my cab.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by short-t

Tell us about your evaporator and expansion valve..

I got all of it out of a late 80's chevy truck out of the junk yard. I ran it for a year are so with R-12 but the A-6 compressor kept chewing up clutches so I decided to redo it. I bought new stuff for the 134-A freon. Everything is factory looking except the compressor. The AC works great with the cowl vent mod I did. I used some of the spray insulation to mask off the evaperator and the POA valve was replaced with the expansion valve in the bottom AC line.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I put the VA inside kit in my 70. I used a factory comp. with short water pump brackets, & pulleys from a salvage. I took the dementions to the junk yard & found a condenser to fit. It wound up being from a Saturn. Making up the hoses was the hardest part.