Rusty Bowtie
General Category => General Discussion - Intros => Topic started by: munch on July 03, 2018, 01:13:37 PM
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How many of you guys run air? Any pros or cons, i.e. overheating, performance, etc? What brand do you prefer?
Thanks
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My go to aftermarket A/C is Vintage air. I really like them and the kits are very complete and they sell extra acceories also. If your cooling system is up to par and running cool you shouldn't have a heating problem. I've noticed a 10° increase in engine temp on hot days. The newer style a/c compressors seem to pull less horse power than the old ones.
On a fan note, I was talked into a big 17" expensive pusher fan on my 59 Elcamino because of the a/c and it would heat way up in traffic. I got pissed at the money spent and my stupid decision to follow that guys advice and yanked it, put on a stock (70s Chevy Implala) 7 blade clutch fan and problem solved.
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I like the vintage air also. I have a complete setup for a big block chevy with brackets, but I am torn about putting it in my 55 chevy gasser or in the 24 dodge roadster.
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Thanks Sammons and Ghost for the info. I have been looking at the Vintage Air products.
Sammons, I currently have a 17" Spal behind the radiator pulling air. It will come on at 180, which it reaches quickly in traffic, and cools off fairly quickly. I think I could use a clutch fan also, maybe like mentioned in previous fan topic.
I have a four core radiator from Brassworks, but overheating is a fear I have...
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When I was re-doing the 35 coupe in 1996--2000 I installed vintage air system. I put the heavy re-man wool cloth insulation with aluminum on one side , glued to firewall . I also bought a roll of the space age silver foil with 1/4" thick cellular center glued to that. Was no heat coming thru the firewall or thru the floor.
I also installed an original rumble seat roll down rear window. With the vent windows open and rear window down , I had flow thru ventilation. Never got the R-134 A coolant installed, because I found that the car was fine without it. Seriously !!!!! It can get warm inside if you stop light to stop light hoping, but not unbearable.
Also take note that the radiator part of the system, condenser, in front of the radiator seriously cuts down on the flow of air thru it and radiator. So you better have fan pulling power .!!
mike lynch
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I use Vintage air with a Walker radiator with their condenser on my 38 with no problems my 32 has an aluminum radiator with a Vintage Air and aftermarket condenser with no problem over heating problems.
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This time I used Old Air in my '39. After talking to several users their complaint was "it's to cold"! Different shape than Vintage and I have a mixer valve to tone it down a bit. Several factors will help with A/C. First is the condenser. A large and efficient condenser is the biggest factor in any system. Next is the design of the evaporator. Design and size makes a big difference. Next is the compressor. Most people use Sanden units either SD 5 or the newer SD 7 mini. Much better than the old Harley engine looking units of the '60s. Last is the insulation in the vehicle which includes air leaks. A 5 ton unit can't overcome direct heat in a tin can with one end open! I can only speak for myself about overheating. Last week I did a test during the heat of the day (106) at highway, local and standing speeds. My temp with the fan (16" on an aluminum 2 core) didn't get over 190 moving with no fan or stopped with fan. Pavement temp ranged from old bleached pavement of 140 to newer black stuff at 161. I guess I was scooping up 120 air. Enough rambling, check out Old Air and see if it will fit better, your call.
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As always, thanks for the input...