Installing A/C in older wagons

Discussion in 'General Automotive Tech' started by treeborn, Jul 1, 2019.

  1. treeborn

    treeborn New Member

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    Greetings all. I own a 1967 Ford Country Sedan 390 2 barrel and want to install air conditioning. I'm not a purist so it doesn't have to be Ford. Aftermarket is fine. We have 4 Pick and Pulls in the Sacramento, CA area. Is there a system I could find that could be installed on this car? Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks to all. Ron
     
  2. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    It's likely going to be a Mark IV-style you'll want to install, as anything that 'fits' won't be at the PnP lots anymore. IIRC, Vintage Air makes the underdash units nowadays, using a newer-style Sanden compressor. As a kid, I remember our '66 Galaxie and '71 Club Wagon Chateau having Mark IV units.
     
  3. treeborn

    treeborn New Member

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    Thank you Sir.
     
  4. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    You're welcome. Good luck on finding a suitable system.
     
  5. peter4821

    peter4821 Well-Known Member

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    well now the problem is the R12 in Older systems. Cant get it anymore. New aftermarket will be R32 and that is serviceable. try Vintage air.
     
  6. KevinVarnes

    KevinVarnes Well-Known Member

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    R-12 is still obtainable if you search for it. I've never heard of R-32 used in automotive. R-134a is/was common, but I think most everybody is moving to R-1234YF. I haven't had to work on a system with that yet.
     
  7. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    R12 requires someone with a handling license; getting caught without one while using it is a very steep fine. Mine expired years ago. But the kits come calibrated for R134a (1234yf is currently only for new manufactured cars right now), and can be charged by any shop with a machine.
     
  8. KevinVarnes

    KevinVarnes Well-Known Member

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    You can get a 609 certification online for about $15 to legally handle R-12 if you really want to.
     
  9. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    Online. Figures.
     
  10. Paladin62

    Paladin62 Well-Known Member

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    One of the first upgrades I did was to install Vintage Air. I did the install myself. Ever watched Mitch Miller? Follow the bouncing ball...Look at pictures in the "Garage"
     
  11. HotRodRacer

    HotRodRacer Moderator Staff Member Moderator

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    Did you go with a model specific kit from Vintage Air, or one of the "generic" ones? Reason I ask is that A/C addition is coming up fast for my 63 CS, probably right after power steering.
     
  12. Paladin62

    Paladin62 Well-Known Member

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    I bought my unit directly from Vintage Air https://www.vintageair.com/
    They had a kit specifically for my 60 Chevy. It even uses the original A/C controls (if your wagon had A/C originally). I did the install, then took it to an A/C shop to add the freon. That was two years ago. Still blowing cold.
     

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  13. HotRodRacer

    HotRodRacer Moderator Staff Member Moderator

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    Nice, thanks for sharing.
     
  14. RetroSpeed

    RetroSpeed Active Member

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    Ron,

    I am currently in communication with Classic Auto Air for a complete A/C system for my 1960 Falcon wagon.

    Their systems provide all the parts necessary for Ford, GM and Mopar applications and use the OEM heater controls, with some modifications, to operate the air conditioning.

    Although the company has a complete A/C system for 1964-65 Falcons with a 200 inline 6 like mine, the heater controls are different on my 1960 wagon so I will have to integrate their universal controls for my application. Too bad because the instructions on how to modify and use the OEM 1964-65 Falcon's heater controls for the air conditioning are pretty trick.

    The website lists applications for a Ford 390 with and without power steering but you might also have to use their universal controls unless your OEM heater controls are the same as the Ford models listed.

    Here is the link to their website: https://www.classicautoair.com/ford_air_conditioning_ford_ac/

    Chris
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2019

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