67's L71's did not come with factory A/C as I have learned. Would installing an original A/C system (all original or good reprod components under the hood and inside the car) hurt from the perpective of judging? Value?
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Re: 67 L71 (427CI/435HP) with A/C?
Hmmm... I'll take a stab at this, but I'm sure much more knowledgeable replies will be forthcoming.
My first thought is that if GM engineering did not allow A/C with the L71 427/435 engine option, there was probably a good reason. It may have something to do with throwing belts, or revving too high for the A6 compressor, or idle characteristics.
If you add A/C, I think going with "factory" would definitely LOOK best, but I think that's going to be a big job. One of the aftermarket A/C systems should be a lot easier to install, and importantly, a lot easier to remove if/when you ever sell the car, in order to put it back to original. The aftermarket compressors are potentially able to handle the higher rpms as well (at least that's what they advertise).
From a value standpoint, all original A/C components are expensive items today, so it would certainly add value in that sense (i.e., it could be removed from the car and sold for a nice chunk of change if a prospective new owner didn't want it on the car). However, that added "value" might be offset somewhat (or entirely) by the cost/effort/labor to remove the non-original "factory A/C" set-up.
From a Judging standpoint, it can only hurt if it is not original to your car, but it may or may not be a severe penalty, I'm sure someone here can give you specifics with regard to judging in this situation.
Good luck,
Scott -
Re: 67 L71 (427CI/435HP) with A/C?
Manuel,
Scott is right, GM didn't allow L-71 with C-60 for a reason. I think the reason is it will overheat. A/C wasn't available with L-72 in '66 and I suspect the same applies to L-78 in '65. It doesn't sound like a good idea to add it for other reasons, too. You mentioned them, value and judging.
JoeComment
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Re: 67 L71 (427CI/435HP) with A/C?
Yes, no A/C for L-71, but I remember watching B-J three years ago when big blocks were going for $205K, and there was a black L-71 that fetched that value, and with the hood open the TV camera caught a view of the old R6 compressor, and I said: "What the..."
I agree with the above advice. Leave it alone unless it's a clone or has already been modified. If it's a real numbers matching L-71 adding any kind of A/C system will probably reduce the value, despite what we sometimes see at B-J lala land.
The issue was probably thermal since GM had previously offered A/C on the high revving L-76, but few were sold. Back in that era most "car guys" who wanted maximum performance were willing to forsake A/C, and even if it had been offered with L-71, there probably would have been few takers.
DukeLast edited by Duke W.; December 2, 2009, 08:15 AM.Comment
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Re: 67 L71 (427CI/435HP) with A/C?
I note that your question was strictly to do with the judging perspective and value. I'm sure you're aware that the answer is yes from the judging side of things but the penalty is usually LESS with an aftermarket system than with a full factory-style retrofit. The reasoning is quite simple- the aftermarket system forces only a few alterations to the car from it's non-AC configuration. With the factory system, many non-AC parts will need to be swapped out for their AC equivalents, each of these will be a complete deduct, ie, can't judge it if it's not there.
Value? Could be plus, minus or neutral depending on the buyer.Comment
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