Old Air system into my daily driver 71

[dablack00]

Ok guys. I have another thread going about my 2WD 78 bronco but the thing that is holding me up from working on that is my AC install into my 71 SWB daily driver.

I have had the kit for about five years and I'm just now installing it. My truck already has a mild 460 with serpentine belts so this is a little different that the norm but I thought most of you would like to see this.

The old air kit bolts directly in place of the old heater. It uses the same three bolt holes in the firewall. You can also order it to use you stock heater controls.

Right now I have removed the following from the truck: Heater, radio, heater controls, firewall cover.

I would have cut the holes for the AC and heater lines last night but the holes saws I have don't have a pilot bit in them so the saw was jumping around. I'm hoping to pick up the correct hole saw tonight and get some pictures for yall.

thanks
Austin

[fordman]

how do you get the heat only controls to work with the factory a/c box?

[dablack00]

Do you think I'm using an "old" AC system in my truck? If so, then, um, I need to be more clear.

Old Air is a brand name like Vintage Air or Classic Auto Air. The reason I went with Old Air is they set it up where you can use their new AC system with the factory 68-72 heater controls.

I will have picturs tomorrow.

[dablack00]

Ok guys. I went out and took some pics.

This is a picture of the adapter plate. It is what holds the AC/heater unit and bolts to the spot where the old truck heater went. You can see that four new holes have been drilled in my firewall. A couple of the new holes over lap the old heater holes. These new four holes are for the AC lines and new heater lines.



Here is the engine side. You can see where the old heater holes were and where the new four holes are. You can also see that the new plate bolts in place of the old heater.



Here you can see how that same adapter plate bolts to the new AC/heater unit. You can also see the new lines that will stick through the fire wall.



I will take more pics as I mount the unit, run the lines, mount the compresser, condenser and other bits.

Austin

[flyboy2610]

Good luck! AC is a wonderful thing to have. My Grand Voyager has it, my bump will.

[91Bear]

Which model did you get?

http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/i ... _120132069

[dablack00]

I got this system: CAP-6772H

I ordered it with to use the factory heater controls and I also ordered it to go with my serpentine belt system. When you order it to go with the factory heater controls you get four indiviual vents instead of the one:four set up they show in the picture.

[dablack00]

I did get the unit mounted behind the dash today but I didn't get pictures of it.

The adapter to mount the newer style compressor doesn't fit my modern compressor mount (1997 460 serpentine set up) but I knew that going in. I knew I was going to have to mod it to work. Luckily, it wasn't that much to do.





Here is the shot of the compressor switch mounted on the original heater controls. This is the shot from above and below.





That is about all I got done today. The compressor and the evaporator/heater unit are mounted. I about half way done with the wiring and then it will be time to mount the condenser. I also got the correct belt for the compressor. That is it for today. I'm don't think I will get much done tomorrow unless I get out there really early.

Austin

[lee_ford]

I got this thread bookmarked...

[dablack00]

Got a little more done this weekend but since it was my now 6 year old's birthday I didn't do much Saturday afternoon.

I did get all the lines made with my handy dandy hose crimper. It took me forever to find this tool at a good price. I think I paid about $80 for it. No, I don't remember where. It was about 4 years ago. I'm just now getting to use it.





I also got the condenser mounted and all the lines installed. They aren't all installed in this picture but they are now. I also pulled down a vacuum for 30 minutes (electric vacuum pump) and filled the system. It is blowing cold! I still need to clean up the lines, and electrical stuff. As well as mount the vents and run those lines.





Austin

[mljjones67]

looking good Austin!! How does the unit look in the cab? Any pics yet?

[dablack00]

Yeah, I need to get some shots of it in the cab. I only have the center double vent attached under the dash so I need to hook up the other two and then run the lines. I checked the temp late yesterday and I was getting 57 out of the box. That isn't really cold but that was with it being 100 outside. I need to check it in the morning, when it is only 80 outside!

[texrodder]

Any updates,Ive been curious about the Old Air kit. Ive always used Airtique (till the owner retired),now I am looking for another local brand to deal with.Let us know how well it works for you.

[dablack00]

After getting the cold air out of the vent I decided to stop and here is why.

A local guy came to buy my hood. I said he could have the hood off my truck or my nice spare hood. He wanted the hood off my truck so that left me with a brown hood (my spare) on a purple truck! Since I already had the fenders off to replace the core support, I decided now was a good time to paint the truck. I'm in the middle of pulling the glass and doing some quick n dirty body work. Nothing fancy. Also, I'm going to paint it black or white with rustoleum. I will make a new post when I get into it a little more. For practice I painted my parts truck (1977) with black rustoleum and it turned out nice.

Once the truck is painted I will finish up with the AC install. I'm taking next week off work to get more done so I should have pictures then.

Austin

[dablack00]

Ok, most of the truck is painted and I finished the AC install today. I'm very pleased with it. I haven't gotten another temp reading from the vents but it feels really cold. I have another couple of weeks before I'm driving it so, it will be a while before I get a good at speed temp reading from the vents. For now I'm calling this project done.