Retrofit A/C Kits

[Peter L.]

I am in the process of resto/mod'ing a 63 coupe, and I want to add A/C. I have looked at two different brands that seem to be comparible, but would like to know if any members have used either, and can recommend one over the orther. Or, just let me know your experience with either of the two, or any retrofit kit you've used. I am considering either Vintage Air or Classic Auto Air,
Thanks,
Pete Loscalzo

[Scott S.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

I am in the process of resto/mod'ing a 63 coupe, and I want to add A/C. I have looked at two different brands that seem to be comparible, but would like to know if any members have used either, and can recommend one over the orther. Or, just let me know your experience with either of the two, or any retrofit kit you've used. I am considering either Vintage Air or Classic Auto Air,
Thanks,
Pete Loscalzo

Pete, I don't have personal experience with either one, but you may want to check the archives over on the CF, where I have seen this subject discussed many times. FWIW, Vintage and Classic Auto are the two brands I have seen discussed most, and I think there is also one called Hot Rod Air. There are a few people on the CF who are installers and have been through this process many times, and give opinions about the pros and cons of each company's product.

[Peter L.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Scott,
Not to sound too dumb, but I am new to using this website. I went to the archives, and you said to look at the "CF's". There was notihing I could find that there that was remotely like "CF". What is a CF? How do I use that to find info?
Thanks,
Pete

[Scott S.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Scott,
Not to sound too dumb, but I am new to using this website. I went to the archives, and you said to look at the "CF's". There was notihing I could find that there that was remotely like "CF". What is a CF? How do I use that to find info?
Thanks,
Pete

Hi Pete,

My fault, I was referring to the Corvette Forum, "CF" for short. This link should take you right to the C1-C2 section (1953-1967), then try searching "Old Air", "Classic Air", "add AC" (or A/C), etc.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-and-c2-corvettes-4/

You may have to register on the Corvette Forum, choose a screen name, etc. before you can search the archives, I'm not sure. There should be lots of Threads on adding air conditioning over there, try the "Advanced Search" button and then narrow the search area to the "C1-C2" Section (the selection will be on the bottom right-hand side of the advanced search page, where you can choose C1-C2 Forum, C3 Forum, C4 Forum, etc.). If you have any trouble, let me know and I'll look up some links for you this evening.

Scott

[Gerard F.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Pete,

I put a Vintage Air system on my 67 327/300 about five years ago, and am very happy with it. Makes the car usable in the summer.

Easy on a 67, did it myself, except for the final compressor charging.
Been through two Top Flights with it.

Probably a little more difficult on a 63 as I think you have to shift the alternator to the driver's side. But I think they make a harness kit for it. You'll also have to research and change the pulley's and alternator braces. Extra points off for that on a 63.

Interiorwise, it doesn't look much different than a non-AC car. You use the same heater controls for the AC.

Look for the Vintage Air Sure Fit Series for your car.

I think Scott's reference to CF is the Corvette Forum. But you get better information here

[Peter L.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Thanks for the feed back. I did check CF, and they had a number of comments (going back 5 or 6 years, but) that were very helpful also. I will keep you posted when I finally make a decision on which to get and I get to putting it in. Right now that part of the project is about a year off, but I am doing lots of basic reseach wheile I have time. so I'm ready to go when that part of the project comes up.

[Joseph M.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

I had a Vintage Air system in a 66 coupe and it worked great.

[Peter L.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

You wouldn't be the Joe Mule I knew in high school (Farningdale NY, class of 1963) would you????

[Michael J.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

I have a Vintage Air in my '66 coupe, it works great, but when you put the fan on "high" it sure draws the amps.

[Peter L.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Did you find that you needed it on high to keep cool, or just when it was very hot out? How often did you need to keep it on high? Was the high current draw a problem for the electircal system? Did you have to make any changes becasue of it?
Thanks,
Pete

[Michael J.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Did you find that you needed it on high to keep cool, or just when it was very hot out? How often did you need to keep it on high? Was the high current draw a problem for the electircal system? Did you have to make any changes becasue of it?
Thanks,
Pete

I only needed high when it had been sitting in the 95 degree heat for a while, you know that back glass on the coupes is like a greenhouse. After running a while it was not necessary to keep it at a reasonable temp, and opening the side windows during cool-down helps get the hot air out of the car when starting out. I suspect the high current draw is an artifact of the old, 37 amp alternator (stock non-AC type in the '66 L79) that just gets buried by the current load of the modern fan system. The voltage regulator is also an original, resistor type unit. I suspect a bigger alternator (say 60 amp plus) and a more modern solid state VR would solve most of that problem. But as it is it doesn't seem to pose a problem for shorter trips, but I might worry on longer trips where the battery drain may show up. I have never had a battery problem while running it for 30-40 minute jaunts.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Pete, Michael--

The Vintage Air blower on high on my 67 SB draws about 20 amps, and may overload an original 37 amp alternator at slow speeds (especially if the alternator has never been overhauled). I've been on many long trips with my 67 in hot weather with the blower on high, and never had a problem, and with my original 37 A alternator.

But---I got a replacement 61 amp alternator, and exchanged the stator, rotor, and heat sink into my original alternator case. After doing this, the alternator was pushing 20 amps at a 650 rpm idle, and I'm sure that it is now capable of over 50 amps at higher speed if it had the load. I even had to adjust the voltage down at the regulator, as I was cooking the battery.

Take a look at this thread:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...nator&uid=3754

[Joseph M.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Pete, I graduated in 73 from WA in PA. Good luck with you air conditioning.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Retrofit A/C Kits

Pete,

I'm familiar with Farmingdale, NY. Had an uncle who owned a gas station repair shop there, and a couple of cousins slighly younger than you. Last name: Carbone

I grew up in Hollis, NY (Queens). Went to Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn, Class of 61.