Vintage Air system for small block.

[Jerry K.]

I've tried the archives, but info is very old. Has anyone installed or have info on Vintage Air air conditioning system for mid-years. I have ordered the kit for my '66 roadster. Has anyone installed it or had problems or can recommend an installer?

[John H.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

I've tried the archives, but info is very old. Has anyone installed or have info on Vintage Air air conditioning system for mid-years. I have ordered the kit for my '66 roadster. Has anyone installed it or had problems or can recommend an installer?

Jerry -

If nothing pops up here, there are plenty of midyear owners with Vintage Air experience in the C1/C2 forum over at CF.

[John S.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Jerry,
I installed a vintage air on my 67 300hp car. Did it over a three day weekend. Not bad. Biggest issue was getting the evap/heat unit up under the dash. Also had to modify a couple of brackets for the vents. Follow the directions and you will be happy with the outcome. Keeps my black car comfortable even when ambient temps are over 100 degrees.

[Jerry K.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Thanks to you both, John and John. Can you get to Long Island to help me with this? LOL. And John, what does CF stand for. Corvette Forum?

[Gene M.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

I helped a friend that installed Vintage Air. Works good blows cold. The one thing I don't like is the new version eliminates the air duct on the right side. I would also prefer mechanical controls verse the electric. The small glove box becomes useless.

I will consider the Classic Air for my car. I still need to look into that one more.

[Jerry K.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Thanks Gene. How long did it take you guys to install the system? Any specific problems? Why don't you like the the new duct-work, or did you like the placement better before? The glove box is basically what glove boxes were originally made for, gloves. I get it, smaller than before, but never large.

[Gene M.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Jerry,
It is best to install this system with the dash partial assembled. The duct tube on the drivers side looks best when run over the top side rather than hanging down below. In fact the dash removed is best if you are doing a complete rebuild of the car. The elimination of the passenger air duct is not acceptable to me. I would also prefer not to have so much intrusion of the unit in the footwell. The unit should have been designed to fit thru the fire wall and have less obstruction in the interior. The pulleys that are not supplied need to be deep groove. Belt routing you are on your own. I have a 65 with the alternator on the right. I would prefer brackets to fit alternator and compressor on right side so I would not have to bastardize the car. I'm considering fabricating my own mounting. These are my thoughts.

PS The shorter glove box will not fit the owners manual and packet unless stood up.

[Joe C.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Jerry,
It is best to install this system with the dash partial assembled. The duct tube on the drivers side looks best when run over the top side rather than hanging down below. In fact the dash removed is best if you are doing a complete rebuild of the car. The elimination of the passenger air duct is not acceptable to me. I would also prefer not to have so much intrusion of the unit in the footwell. The unit should have been designed to fit thru the fire wall and have less obstruction in the interior. The pulleys that are not supplied need to be deep groove. Belt routing you are on your own. I have a 65 with the alternator on the right. I would prefer brackets to fit alternator and compressor on right side so I would not have to bastardize the car. I'm considering fabricating my own mounting. These are my thoughts.

PS The shorter glove box will not fit the owners manual and packet unless stood up.

Gene,

What are the advantages, if any, of the newer model VA system over the older model VA system?

[John S.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

I forgot about one thing. VA direction want you to drill holes in your fender and firewall. I refused to do that to my car as it is a Top Flight Duntov car. For the condensate drain I run the tube into a plastic water bottle and dump it occasionally. Kind of a pain and maybe not as clean, but works. It allows the car to be returned to original state at any time without anybody knowing. Also Top Flighted the car with the VA system on it in Tucson last year. Drove over 500 miles to get there! Nice having the air for that trip.

[Jerry K.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Did you have to buy any additional parts that were not supplied by Vintage Air? It seems that they say to buy their heater hoses and electric fan kit from them separately, also 5/8" hose nipples. Did you have to do this?

[Gene M.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Gene,

What are the advantages, if any, of the newer model VA system over the older model VA system?

Joe,
I think the major change is the controls went from manual to electric.

[Don H.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

The factory air (C-60) mid-years do not have a passenger side air vent. Don H.

[Jerry K.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

That being said, I'm not losing anything that I wouldn't have had anyway, if it came with the factory air. Right?

[Gene M.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

But with the "standard package" I would miss the outside air for the wife (her side). It is not an air car to start with. Keeping the 65 as original as possible and be able to return it to stock condition is top priority. No cutting up the car or butchering the wire harness. Also being able to get at the battery without putting it on the left side is important requirement.

I think most guys here are shooting for the same goals.

[Jerry K.]

Re: Vintage Air system for small block.

Point taken. I just had the kit delivered and it says that I need to buy a heater hose and compressor belt. Is this correct and is their anything else I have to add.