Retro fit air conditioning

[Forrest]

I will add to the chorus of this probably not being worth the effort. There are too many differences between a/c and non-a/c cars. In addition to the items already mentioned you’ll need to modify the heater controls too. The a/c heater valve is a vacuum controlled one under the distributor rather than a mechanical one under the dash. I think the matrix is different too. You’ll essentially be rebuilding the entire dash (and a good few components under the bonnet) using parts from a donor car. Many of these parts are not usually in great condition secondhand and some can be very difficult to replace at a later date when everything is reassembled.

As for the battery, once it’s run flat once it will be more prone to doing so again in the future because of sulphation. Also, if it’s a calcium or silver-calcium battery, it might not be getting fully charged from the alternator alone. Regular maintenance charging is the answer. Better still leave it connected to a smart charger when the car is not in use. That will prevent the battery going flat in the first place which is better for it than repeated charge/discharge cycles.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Forrest

As for the battery, once it’s run flat once it will be more prone to doing so again in the future because of sulphation. Also, if it’s a calcium or silver-calcium battery, it might not be getting fully charged from the alternator alone. Regular maintenance charging is the answer. Better still leave it connected to a smart charger when the car is not in use. That will prevent the battery going flat in the first place which is better for it than repeated charge/discharge cycles.

David has a normal lead-acid battery and a battery desulphator precisely because of what you rightly suggest. The biggest problem is he isn't using his car as much as he'd like for various reasons.

http://extralifepulse.com/

They're not a gimmick and they do work, much cheaper than a so-called smart-charger and can be used off the vehicle while charging from a dumb charger in the shed/garage. Also sulphated batteries can often be recovered by leaving them on trickle charge with the desulphator connected for a month or two.

Doesn't alter the AC situation though.

[827Roverman]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

David has a normal lead-acid battery and a battery desulphator precisely because of what you rightly suggest. The biggest problem is he isn't using his car as much as he'd like for various reasons.

http://extralifepulse.com/

They're not a gimmick and they do work, much cheaper than a so-called smart-charger and can be used off the vehicle while charging from a dumb charger in the shed/garage. Also sulphated batteries can often be recovered by leaving them on trickle charge with the desulphator connected for a month or two.

Doesn't alter the AC situation though.

I think from all of the replies I have had, it's looking like a non starter, it's not the cost involved, that doesn't bother me, its more the work involved, I had not realised just how much was involved, and I take on board what you say Dave about the lack of use, but as you know I can't do much about that just now, but I thank you all for your comments, Her who must be obeyed will be pleased though, she is 73 today plus it's our 23 wedding anniversary, David.

[Bob Meadows]

https://www.classicretrofit.com/
Have you looked at " Classic Cars Retrofit Air Conditioning"
A number of companies do these so could be worth investigating etc.

Good Luck
Bob.

"Congratulations for the special days"

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 827Roverman

I think from all of the replies I have had, it's looking like a non starter, it's not the cost involved, that doesn't bother me, its more the work involved, I had not realised just how much was involved, and I take on board what you say Dave about the lack of use, but as you know I can't do much about that just now, but I thank you all for your comments, Her who must be obeyed will be pleased though, she is 73 today plus it's our 23 wedding anniversary, David.

It's a shame in some ways David but it's one less thing to go wrong.

Happy birthday to SWMBO and Happy Anniversary to both of you.

Purely for interest, back in the early 80s someone marketed an aftermarket AC kit for the (then new) Mk2 Cavalier, it used an OEM style switch to turn it on/off in one of the original blanks and a simple bolt-on compressor and a longer alternator belt to drive it. Not many were sold and Vauxhall had designed the heater system with their own add-on AC system in mind which was very similar to the aftermarket one so very little alteration was necessary. Part of the marketing blurb was it could be fitted and working in a day.
Granted back then people weren't so interested in AC which might have contributed to the lack of sales but sadly it was a flop. I think somewhere i might still have the original magazine the article was in, if i ever find it (and remember!!) i'll post it on here but don't hold your breath!

[tofufi]

I retrofitted air conditioning to my 740 diesel a few years ago.

Best and easiest way is to have a donor car and get someone to swap all parts wholesale.

It's doable but is a dashboard out job.

Ironically mine ran out of gas a couple of years later and I never bothered getting it refilled again...