C2 add-on A/C performance poll

[Timothy B.]

Boy it is HOT here!!

After another really hot day here in Houston, and have just about decided that my driver 67 C2 convertible needs air conditioning. For those of you who have done this recently and have added specifically the R-134a type system to a convertible (or coupe) please chime in on what you think about it. I have been researching the Vintage Air systems from San Antonio, and have heard some good comments about them. Are they powerful enough to cool a convertible in hot humid weather? Are they reliable? Can they be installed such that they don't look TOO bad and aftermarket?

[Stephen P.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

My 65 coupe had an Old Air Products aftermarket unit on it when I purchased it a couple of years ago, that cooled great. I had it converted to the new freon type when the compressor went out last summer. Has not cooled adequately since. Could be the installation. You should probably look at one of the high-tech floor insulation packages in combination with the added A/C.

[Stephen P.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

My 65 coupe had an Old Air Products aftermarket unit on it when I purchased it a couple of years ago, that cooled great. I had it converted to the new freon type when the compressor went out last summer. Has not cooled adequately since. Could be the installation. You should probably look at one of the high-tech floor insulation packages in combination with the added A/C.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Guys,

I added an Old Air Products AC/Heater to my 66 BB Conv. when it was brought back from the dead. I used the stock brackets and compressor with the AC and heat unit from Old Air Products. Also, added insulation under the carpet and between the trans and floorboard. The 66 is a hardtop only and cools wonderfully with R-134. Looks stock under the hood and inside also. The only thing different is it does not have the large heater and AC box under the hood. It's all behind the glove box door and the glove box is stock.

Mind you that this is a BB with an LS-7, Be Cool Aluminum Radiator and electric fan (pusher) with stock clutch/fan. With the AC on it runs 180 degrees down the road or idling in traffic.

Wonderful system and I would recommend it to anyone with a coupe or conv.

Regards,

JR

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Guys,

I added an Old Air Products AC/Heater to my 66 BB Conv. when it was brought back from the dead. I used the stock brackets and compressor with the AC and heat unit from Old Air Products. Also, added insulation under the carpet and between the trans and floorboard. The 66 is a hardtop only and cools wonderfully with R-134. Looks stock under the hood and inside also. The only thing different is it does not have the large heater and AC box under the hood. It's all behind the glove box door and the glove box is stock.

Mind you that this is a BB with an LS-7, Be Cool Aluminum Radiator and electric fan (pusher) with stock clutch/fan. With the AC on it runs 180 degrees down the road or idling in traffic.

Wonderful system and I would recommend it to anyone with a coupe or conv.

Regards,

JR

[Robert C.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Tim, The Vintage Air product is very good. It should cool very nicely. They guarantee it. Just make sure your radiator works properly or I would get a new DeWitt's first!
Bob Cook, Hot as Hell, Dallas

[Robert C.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Tim, The Vintage Air product is very good. It should cool very nicely. They guarantee it. Just make sure your radiator works properly or I would get a new DeWitt's first!
Bob Cook, Hot as Hell, Dallas

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Tim,

I just put a Vintage Air System into my 67/327/300HP Conv. Great cooling, although it is in a dryer climate in N.Cal. The interior looks perfect, it uses the original heater controls, with no dashboard modifications. The evaporator/heater unit mounts behind the glove compartment, you won't believe
the tight but precise fit with no mod to the glove compartment. The evaporator unit replaces the heater unit, with the same mounting holes. You ought to save your old heater unit for future restoration.

I ordered mine with a polished aluminum compressor and a chrome dryer. The engine compartment just looks great! I put in polished aluminum pulleys for the A/C and for power steering (which I also added) and a chrome alternator as the piece de resistance (however you spell it).

Make sure you tell them it is for a 1967, as the radio side panels are different from the 66. The 67 has the air vent pulls in the radio side panels, and they originally sent me 66 panels. With a phone call, I now have 2 extra sets of side panels, the replacement panels had the correct grooves for the air vent pulls.

The system went in over a weekend, everything fit just great. I brought it to a a shop to have it charged with the R134a.

The documentation was great, except for the electrical connections and the mounting for the microswitches(which sucked). I figured it out, and have some tips on the electrical to make it very easy. If you get the system, e-mail me at gjfeng@mlode.com, and I'll send you a marked up electrical diagram.

I just love it. It looks like original A/C to 1967 standard (black vinyl) interior except you don't have the extra two knobs on the dash board and the a/c vent at the top. The beauty is that if you save the heater box and original pulleys , you (or someone else) can always bring the car back to original. There are no modifications of original parts. You should figure on replacing the heater hoses and get some additional length on the 5/8" hose. (5-6'additional)

If you have other then the standard black interior , you will have to paint the new radio side panels.

The only down side is that you will lose the fresh air intake with the system, as with probably all add-on A/C systems. However, if you block the lower half of the right side interior vent, you can create a virtual fresh air system, but only when you are moving.

I use mine with the hard top on, and it may be different with the convertible top. I did add the insulation under the rug set, but this can always be done in the future when you redo the carpets. Afterall, with a 67, you always need something to keep you busy, and out in the garage.

The Vintage Air system makes quite a difference in usability in the summer, and is well worth it in my book.

Jerry Fuccillo
Sonora, California

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Tim,

I just put a Vintage Air System into my 67/327/300HP Conv. Great cooling, although it is in a dryer climate in N.Cal. The interior looks perfect, it uses the original heater controls, with no dashboard modifications. The evaporator/heater unit mounts behind the glove compartment, you won't believe
the tight but precise fit with no mod to the glove compartment. The evaporator unit replaces the heater unit, with the same mounting holes. You ought to save your old heater unit for future restoration.

I ordered mine with a polished aluminum compressor and a chrome dryer. The engine compartment just looks great! I put in polished aluminum pulleys for the A/C and for power steering (which I also added) and a chrome alternator as the piece de resistance (however you spell it).

Make sure you tell them it is for a 1967, as the radio side panels are different from the 66. The 67 has the air vent pulls in the radio side panels, and they originally sent me 66 panels. With a phone call, I now have 2 extra sets of side panels, the replacement panels had the correct grooves for the air vent pulls.

The system went in over a weekend, everything fit just great. I brought it to a a shop to have it charged with the R134a.

The documentation was great, except for the electrical connections and the mounting for the microswitches(which sucked). I figured it out, and have some tips on the electrical to make it very easy. If you get the system, e-mail me at gjfeng@mlode.com, and I'll send you a marked up electrical diagram.

I just love it. It looks like original A/C to 1967 standard (black vinyl) interior except you don't have the extra two knobs on the dash board and the a/c vent at the top. The beauty is that if you save the heater box and original pulleys , you (or someone else) can always bring the car back to original. There are no modifications of original parts. You should figure on replacing the heater hoses and get some additional length on the 5/8" hose. (5-6'additional)

If you have other then the standard black interior , you will have to paint the new radio side panels.

The only down side is that you will lose the fresh air intake with the system, as with probably all add-on A/C systems. However, if you block the lower half of the right side interior vent, you can create a virtual fresh air system, but only when you are moving.

I use mine with the hard top on, and it may be different with the convertible top. I did add the insulation under the rug set, but this can always be done in the future when you redo the carpets. Afterall, with a 67, you always need something to keep you busy, and out in the garage.

The Vintage Air system makes quite a difference in usability in the summer, and is well worth it in my book.

Jerry Fuccillo
Sonora, California

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Also Tim,

They'll tell you that you need a new fan blade and shroud. I still have my original 327 blade, shroud and radiator, and have been out in 95-100 degree weather (30% humidity) and have never had a problem. If it overheats, you can always turn it off with one click. The new system on the Corvette cools better then the factory air on my El Camino, a lot more volume.

Jerry

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 add-on A/C performance poll

Also Tim,

They'll tell you that you need a new fan blade and shroud. I still have my original 327 blade, shroud and radiator, and have been out in 95-100 degree weather (30% humidity) and have never had a problem. If it overheats, you can always turn it off with one click. The new system on the Corvette cools better then the factory air on my El Camino, a lot more volume.

Jerry