Adding A/C to a non-A/C car

gman26 · 05-17-2005, 02:36 AM

Has anyone ever done this?

Complicated and costly? Worth the effort and money?

Would love to hear some feedback, potentially for a 71 Coupe.

Thanks!

Dan66 · 05-17-2005, 11:52 AM

Yep - I did it a couple years ago. I added a Classic Auto Air "Perfect Fit" system to my '66. Complicated? Yes, because their instructions were poor and I had never done it before. Costly? About $1100. Worth it? Have you ever spent much time in Central Texas?!?![:@]

Soaring · 05-17-2005, 01:51 PM

I can testify about the heat in Texas in August. August is the month to hit the trail and go to Colorado.

Soaring · 05-17-2005, 03:37 PM

Buy the installation book from Mustang Project. http://www.mustangproject.com/. $25 and worth every penny.

Soaring · 05-17-2005, 03:49 PM

Hey Mark, should we make this another sticky? Looks like a good find to me.

Markstang1969 · 05-17-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Soaring

Hey Mark, should we make this another sticky? Looks like a good find to me.

you can put a sticky any where you like, jooz da boss

1970 mach1 · 05-18-2005, 12:07 PM

Hello gman26, I bought the Sanden after market kit form national parts depot. I really like what i have, it gives really cold air, with out using alot of HP, no belt slap, looks good and feels great. Love my air, and I live in the snow belt not like some of you luck fellow mustang and car nuts who live in the sun all year long. LOL Glen

Scott H. · 05-19-2005, 12:11 AM

I'm down in Tampa for the next couple of weeks. Planning on stoping in to Classic Auto Air while I'm here. I like the "Perfect fit" system, but want to see if they've got nicer center vents available.
I've looked closely at the Vintage Air kit as well, but like the way the air flow is directed through the Classic Air system better. With a few modifications it will be as flexible as a new cars system.

If you are planning on installing a stock center console, it has been suggested to do that prior to installing the a/c.
I picked up a beat up center console through ebay, and am in the process of "re-conditioning" it now. I'll probably start the A/C install the middle-end of June...if I ever get to spend any time at home.

Soaring · 05-19-2005, 04:23 AM

I put my center console in after the air con. I had to cut the front of it off to make it a shorty console.

Scott H. · 05-19-2005, 06:12 PM

Nice Console!

Those look like original pieces. The one I bought is pretty rough (not quite what it was represented as, but good for some fun). I've got the console base cleaned, repaired, painted and cut for the convertible tunnel braces. Before I left I did my best to clean up the pitting on the metal pieces, and repainted all the black. It's going to be like the rest of the car...a good 10 footer. May send the pieces in later to be rechromed, or just buy some repro pieces. But at this point it really fits in with the whole car.
When I get home I'll shoot a picture with it in place.

I remembered where I saw the "install evaporator with console in place" line. It is in the instructions for the "Perfect fit" kit from Vintage air. This is the kit that replaces the stock heater box assembly and works with the stock heater controls. Evidently the left end of the evaporator sits above the console (Non a/c type) and you need to make sure you keep 1/8" clearance above it.
On a convertible it's a no-brainer, as there is a dash stiffening rod that runs across that point. Not sure if the same rod is in place on a hardtop.