I’m new to this form & this is my first go at a rebuild. I have a 73 that I just bought that had original factory air but has been removed. What are the benefits or disadvantages of going with the new resto mod/close system for air conditioning versus restoring the factory a/c. Thanks in advanced
CK5
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‘73 ac questions
- Thread starter Cator
- Start date
What part is removed or missing from yours?
73 Factory AC is R12 freon, blows colder than 134 but is expensive to get. Nobody wants to work on Old R12 in Automotive, most shops will tell you that it can't be bought anymore.
73 Factory AC is R12 freon, blows colder than 134 but is expensive to get. Nobody wants to work on Old R12 in Automotive, most shops will tell you that it can't be bought anymore.
Well the original style A6 compressor is a beast. The A6 works well and will last, but you will know when it engages. If mine were missing I wouldn't hesitate to use a updated compressor and condenser.
Is the Evaporator and housing still on the firewall ? How about the the ac heater controls ?
Is the Evaporator and housing still on the firewall ? How about the the ac heater controls ?
Pretty much everything is gone except for the heater core box and the panel on the dash.
Side question- I just saw some of the top brackets that bolt the top to the windshield for 73-75. This is the first time I’m seeing them or really ever even seen mentioned. Are these something I should pick up or is it something that is not really of use?
Side question- I just saw some of the top brackets that bolt the top to the windshield for 73-75. This is the first time I’m seeing them or really ever even seen mentioned. Are these something I should pick up or is it something that is not really of use?
My 73 C10 came with the AC system intact. Took it to a shop and they just replaced a leaky oring, and charged it with R134. It worked great.
I didn't know you weren't supposed to run the AC without a cooling fan engaged (I have electric cooling fans) so I ruined the compressor. Since my system is intact, I replaced it with a stock type A6 compressor. It's a newer version that's aluminum and supposed to put less drag on the motor. It's also expensive, but the cost to convert to a newer style compressor would have been about the same when you figure in new mounting brackets and adapting the hoses. The new A6 compressor doesn't drag as much, but you can still tell when it engages.
So all that being said; if you're going to have to source a lot of parts anyway, might as well upgrade to a newer system. Only reason I can see not too upgrade is cost or if you REALLY want an original restoration. Because there's no doubt a system like Vintage Air is a definite upgrade over the original. But the factory system does work well with R134 - in my experience.
I didn't know you weren't supposed to run the AC without a cooling fan engaged (I have electric cooling fans) so I ruined the compressor. Since my system is intact, I replaced it with a stock type A6 compressor. It's a newer version that's aluminum and supposed to put less drag on the motor. It's also expensive, but the cost to convert to a newer style compressor would have been about the same when you figure in new mounting brackets and adapting the hoses. The new A6 compressor doesn't drag as much, but you can still tell when it engages.
So all that being said; if you're going to have to source a lot of parts anyway, might as well upgrade to a newer system. Only reason I can see not too upgrade is cost or if you REALLY want an original restoration. Because there's no doubt a system like Vintage Air is a definite upgrade over the original. But the factory system does work well with R134 - in my experience.
Bigb55
1/2 ton status
After you piece together a factory system. It will be equal or more then the aftermarket one.
It was common on the 73-75s to rip out the AC and leave the heater when It broke. Especially if the hard top had gone missing.
It was common on the 73-75s to rip out the AC and leave the heater when It broke. Especially if the hard top had gone missing.
Performance an original ac ac will freeze your butt off. Cost wise couldn't guess.
Most ac compressors wear left off for horse power.
Yes most I have seen left the evaporator and case.
Most ac compressors wear left off for horse power.
Yes most I have seen left the evaporator and case.
I will tell you, and I have said this many times, I recommend using the original system in the dash, adapt a compressor if needed.
I made the mistake of putting Vintage Air in my '70 K10 and got tired of the noise from the fan, and especially the lack of heat. It COULD NOT keep the windows from fogging in the winter, or during a rainstorm in the summer. It made it a nice weather truck because the only thing that it did well was A/C.
I pulled it out and found factory housings to go back in. Now I have lots of heat with less noise.
I know that many doubt my view, but I had that truck in temperatures from the single digits to over 100*. I used the system for 4 years before I pulled it, tried everything that was recommended for keeping the windows clear. It has a adjustable thermostat for winter use, no help. The fact that it was recirculate only was the biggest problem there.
If you only use the truck on nice sunny days, no problem.
As far as cost, I believe that it is about the same either way, but I want something that works year round. Having the windows fog over in a summer rain storm was a royal pain. Ice on the inside of the windows was annoying.
I am using 134A in the stock system on my '90 Jimmy and it works well. I have been around a '78 using 134A, no problems with it, except a plugged condenser after all of the decades of use.
I made the mistake of putting Vintage Air in my '70 K10 and got tired of the noise from the fan, and especially the lack of heat. It COULD NOT keep the windows from fogging in the winter, or during a rainstorm in the summer. It made it a nice weather truck because the only thing that it did well was A/C.
I pulled it out and found factory housings to go back in. Now I have lots of heat with less noise.
I know that many doubt my view, but I had that truck in temperatures from the single digits to over 100*. I used the system for 4 years before I pulled it, tried everything that was recommended for keeping the windows clear. It has a adjustable thermostat for winter use, no help. The fact that it was recirculate only was the biggest problem there.
If you only use the truck on nice sunny days, no problem.
As far as cost, I believe that it is about the same either way, but I want something that works year round. Having the windows fog over in a summer rain storm was a royal pain. Ice on the inside of the windows was annoying.
I am using 134A in the stock system on my '90 Jimmy and it works well. I have been around a '78 using 134A, no problems with it, except a plugged condenser after all of the decades of use.
I prefer the factory setup except for the A6, they like to sling oil from the front seal.
I have the Sanden knockoff compressor. Adapts to the original manifold. Seems a bit undersized but gets the job done. Doesn’t cover up the valve cover with the bracket either.
Vintage air has the compressors and brackets.
The newer version of the A6 is out there too as was mentioned.
I have the Sanden knockoff compressor. Adapts to the original manifold. Seems a bit undersized but gets the job done. Doesn’t cover up the valve cover with the bracket either.
Vintage air has the compressors and brackets.
The newer version of the A6 is out there too as was mentioned.
I did an Original Air Group R134a Sanden compressor upgrade on my 75 and I love it. I mean, I did literally replace every single part of the AC system, but it blows ice cold. For my system, I replaced the evaporator, dryer, orifice tube, condenser (with a parallel flow unit for better R134a performance), added a pusher fan in front of the condenser that activates when the AC is switched on, and of course installed the Sanden compressor and made new high and low pressure lines in my garage. Took a weekend, was pretty straightforward. I wanted to keep the truck feeling factory original inside, so I like the fact that I got to keep the factory heater/ac control head, blend system and ducts. It works great and the Sanden compressor has no noticeable impact on power.
