Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

[Jan G.]

I am looking to install aftermarket A/C in my 65 ! leaning toward Old Air Products ! I am looking for some feedback ! Anyone have any experiences with OAP or any of the others ? Thanks

[Michael J.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

I had a Vintage Air system in my '66 L79. It was a neat, tidy unit that was well designed for the space, and the compressor did not overload or overheat the L79 cooling system. It cooled very well, and moved enough air to make it comfortable on hot days.

[Harry S.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Whatever manufacturer you choose, consider the one that requires the minumum alteration to the firwall, dash, etc. I believe the new systems are more car friendly during installation.

[Larry M.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Most folks use Vintage Air.

Larry

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Call Bob Kingstry in Greenville, SC (Carolinas Chapter Chairperson) He did it to his 65 Coupe and can help I am sure

[Mark E.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

I know factory AC is rare with C2s. With that said, it may make sense from an economic and preservation perspective to consider selling the current car and acquiring one with AC.

[Dick W.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Call Bob Kingstry in Greenville, SC (Carolinas Chapter Chairperson) He did it to his 65 Coupe and can help I am sure

I put a few of those on. Undetectable mods to the car in case you wanted to take it off. Just takes time and patience.

[Frank D.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

I can tell you that, without exception, the installs I've seen are Vintage Air. There is one system that preserves the glove box (or so I've heard) though and it might be Old Air - but that's the only advantage I see. I put Vintage Air A/C in my 63 in 4 days (first time), I could do it in 1/2 the time now I think..

Be advised this mod will knock you out of a Top Flight if judging is in your future..
I have a document with a list of tips I developed during the install - much is 63-specific but not all of it if you're interested.

This is my center nozzle temp in Orlando on a summer day:

[Bob D.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

I have used Old Air Products and they did great work for me. Not on a C2 though.

Bob

[Gene M.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

I’m familiar with vintage air as it is in my 65. The system is nice, but....... The standard install eliminates the passenger vent, I didn’t do that. The hoses are big diameter and balky. I used the smaller hose and “quick clip” hook ups. It routs easier and makes tighter loops. You can find compressor, comdensor and separator cheaper elsewhere. I purchased just the unit that goes under the dash and sourced the rest elsewhere for a better fitting and smarter install. Plan on relocate the alternator to left side using a 67 alt mount and get a unit with 110 amp output. A seven blade clutch fan is also suggested. The 65 alternator mount works well for the chrome Sanyo compresssor. All the vintage air accessories are pricey compared to other sources. Use the 67 under dash duct work, the 65 stuff sucks. Plan on doing some custom work to fit things nice.

[Gary F.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Gene, could I get some additional details on your Vintage Air installation. The standard install eliminates the passenger side fresh air vent to bring the a/c lines in, where did you bring the a/c lines in? What size "smaller hose" and "quick clip" hook ups did you use and where did you purchase them? Any additional information would be helpful. Thanks for the info.

[Gary C.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Gary,

Had an earlier Vintage Air and it did what Gene said plus reduced the glove box to 2 inches deep.

Watched my friends the Anderson's who had a Corvette shop in Ft. Worth over the years install many Old Air Products without any problems and they also fit much better.

If I was gonna add A/C to another C2 it would be one by Old Air products. JMTCW,

Gary
....

[Bob K.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

I put Vintage Air on my 66. works well but does require some mods, such as replacing the glove box insert. Beware it will be a 200 to 300 point deduction on judging (see Restorer for article), more for the 63-65 than 66-67 due to location of the alternator. I have a new generation VA and didn't have to upgrade my alternator, some of the older versions of after market A/C pull a lot of power and require a larger alternator.

[Mark M.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

Does the battery have to be switched to the driver side as original ac cars? I'm looking at adding a system to a 65 and heard it makes access to the battery almost impossible.

[John M.]

Re: Aftermarket air conditioning feedback

How important is it to have tinted glass, or how important to have ceramic coating rather than tinted as opposed to the standard C2 plain glass? Seems as if some kind of coating would make the AC more efficient. Any one added either to glass after installing Ac and how much did it affect the performance and cooling in the car?