I have a 64 Dart project. I'm going to put a stroker 5.9 magnum in it. I want to use the A/C compressor thats currently on the engine but im trying to figure out the rest of it such as: How to pipe the cold air to the inside, condenser, heater core, etc. I checked with classic auto air but they do not make any kits for early a bodies
64 Dart A/C
- Thread starter 13reddart
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I’d look for a “knee knocker” style underdash unit, then source a suitable size condenser. Hoses, drier and whatever else is needed for under the hood should be easy to find or have made up.
What about the heater core?
You use your original heater core and controls with the knee knocker
Here is an aftermarket “knee knocker” slimline unit. They are self contained with their own evaporator, blower and controls.
This one was going in another A Body but that project is gone so it might end up in my 87 D100.
convx4
Well-Known Member
To make the under dash work you would have it make up lines and wire as needed. With this style set you you could run the heater and the A/C at the same time.
Mr Shine
At 12 dad said “Tear this 318 apart”.I was hooked.
I have an under dash unit from my 65. It has the old style compressor, but I'm sure some one could make up some hoses for you. I have the condensor, lines, compressor, switches.....the whole shebang. How good any of it is, I couldn't tell you, but when I took it apart, it still have just a little pressure still in it. You would need a R12 to 134a conversion which you can get at just about any parts store. My dad wanted it for his 66, but he's probably going to build one from Vintage and other sources, which is also another option for you.
Mr Shine
At 12 dad said “Tear this 318 apart”.I was hooked.
I think that's called "Lukewarm a/c"
Is there any part numbers or manufacturer id for that unit?
I’ll see what I can find
I have a knee knocker in my Swinger and it would be cool to replace it with a self contained under dash unit.
The one in the picture is just a slim line knee knocker that features just AC although there are other models that feature heat, defrost and AC
Is anyone(VintageAir) making a new kit or must you find an old unit? Our '64 was equipped with factory air, but most of it is missing. Is it worth going back to stock or upgrading to something new? This will be for a driver class car, not a perfect resto. Any good pics of original vs aftermarket setups would be highly appreciated.
Integrated factory air with the heat, defrost and AC controlled by the 5 push button unit in the dash started in 65 as an option. What you call factory air (the underdash unit with it’s own controls) was either dealer-installed or aftermarket. Other than taking up some real estate, there’s nothing wrong with that type of AC unit. For the Underhood parts, the factory V twin compressor (although a heavy SOB) works just fine as does the other compressors of that era or use a late model Sanden compressor. Aftermarket driers can easily be sourced as well as lines and the condenser. Not even Vintage Air makes a bolt-in kit for the early A’s. Try running a search in the heating AC section of the forum for pics.
Thanks for the info! I forgot to mention this is a 6cyl 225 so not a bunch of extra hp to push an older compressor. This car must have had a dealer installed unit. There is a sticker on the back window that says "FrigiKing Air Conditioned" mfg'd by Frigidkar. lol. What we have are two different air boxes and heater controls, but no under dash(condender) unit, the original dryer(open to atmosphere for God know s how long, the old expansion valve and a few other things. No compressor, bracket or hoses. I'm assuming we might as well get the entire system if we go that route.
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Instead of running the old and heavy V-Twin compressor, you might want to try and find the mounts from a 79-later slant found on FMJ’s and probably trucks that use the Sanden-style compressor. For the underdash unit, I’d go with something similar to the unit I posted a picture of. Hoses, drier, etc should be easy to have made up in whatever lengths you need.
Slantvaliant
Well-Known Member
On my '64 Valiant, I used an R134a kit from Southern Rods, intended for early Mustangs. The under-dash unit looks a lot like the period aftermarket Veep II unit that was in the car when I got it, and I think it fits right in with the round gauges, knobs, and radio buttons.
The old ARA Veep II looked something like this (not my photo):
The new one:
Took further integrate the looks, I swapped the engine-turned aluminum face for one I made from model railroad scale clapboard siding panels, painted a satin aluminum to match the dash accents. The black plastic knobs don't match the other knibs, so I've replaced one of them with a spare '64 knob, and am looking for one more knob. Not a factory look to those who know, but not jarring either. It looks like it could have been a dealer-installed unit.
The 225 had a York compressor with a shop-made bracket, and Southern Rods didn't list a Slant Six bracket. I called them to order, and they let me get a Sanden-style compressor to York-style bracket adapter instead of the listed brackets for Fords and such. I got a trinary switch on the drier, and use electric fans. I also opted for the biggest parallel-flow condenser I could fit. I left the stock heater/defrost setup in place, but put a cable-operated valve to reduce in-cabin heat.
So, semi-modern guts and vintage-looking interior looks. It cools, it looks good to my eye, and it doesn't overheat. What else do I need?
The old ARA Veep II looked something like this (not my photo):
The new one:
Took further integrate the looks, I swapped the engine-turned aluminum face for one I made from model railroad scale clapboard siding panels, painted a satin aluminum to match the dash accents. The black plastic knobs don't match the other knibs, so I've replaced one of them with a spare '64 knob, and am looking for one more knob. Not a factory look to those who know, but not jarring either. It looks like it could have been a dealer-installed unit.
The 225 had a York compressor with a shop-made bracket, and Southern Rods didn't list a Slant Six bracket. I called them to order, and they let me get a Sanden-style compressor to York-style bracket adapter instead of the listed brackets for Fords and such. I got a trinary switch on the drier, and use electric fans. I also opted for the biggest parallel-flow condenser I could fit. I left the stock heater/defrost setup in place, but put a cable-operated valve to reduce in-cabin heat.
So, semi-modern guts and vintage-looking interior looks. It cools, it looks good to my eye, and it doesn't overheat. What else do I need?
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