Aftermarket A/C question

[Subfixer]

Ok, Purists look the other way.....

For those of you out there with add-on A/C, I have a question that could not be answered by any of the "Big Three" aftermarket A/C companies' tech folks.

I've got a 327/365 set up with all the factory deep groove pulleys, 65 L79 power steering pulley. Alt on the Pass side.

Everything lines up just the way GM designed it for a 65 L79 with P/S.

It seems that the 3 A/C add-on companies all use the same compressor mount for installing the compressor on the driver's side (made by the same subcontractor). The problem is that that mount is set up for the 300 hp pulleys which are quite different than the 350/365 setup. None of these companies knew there was more than one option for pulleys on a small block Corvette.

So I'm going out to you guys who have managed to keep your original deep groove pulley setup and installed an aftermarket A/C system. How did you do the belts?

I want to get this answered in my head before I buy something that I have to rig up to make work.

Thanks.

 

[BarryK]

I may be wrong but i thought the alt was suppose to be on the pass side, except with A/C cars, where the alt is moved to the drivers side and the A/C compressor is mounted on the pass side.

 

[Subfixer]

Barry, The aftermarket guys have a driver's side bracket for the compressor. I'm sure this is to help the installer by not requiring the relocation of the alternator and it's wiring harness.

You are correct that GM moved the Alt to the drivers side for all early C2 A/C cars from the factory. If I were to go the original route, I would have to get a correct wiring harness to relocate the Alternator, a new Alt bracket, maybe a different driver's side exhaust maniford (not sure on that one), etc. $$$$

Then, if I went that far, I'd end up putting a totally stock sysem in the car for about 5 times the price of the aftermarket system. I really don't need A/C that badly.

I know there are a bunch of cars out there with the aftermarket systems. Just need ideas on how they did that.

 

[BarryK]

well, i'll keep following the thread as at some point I do want to add A/C to mine also

 

[ctjackster]

I'll say again, I don't think you'll want the compressor on the D-side, but that is just me - lots of plumbing to swing over to the p-side eventually.

And, at least VA has you installing the compressor on the p-side, not that they are the guys you are going to go with:

http://www.vintageair.com/download/...n-air Vehicles/1963-1967 Corvette Non-Air.pdf

as for your driver's side exh mani, look at it, it might have accomadation for alt mounting over there already.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Now depending on the route you plan on taing with your car,If you wanted to retain a stock appearing system I would suggest getting a list of needed engine bay componetts need and start search for used parts (not just dealers but your normal vervey day person like me or you who may have removed them from his car. I would purchase an aftermarket evaporator to install inside of the car.

If I was not interested in stock appearing I would look into what march performance pulleys or Billit specialties could do for the engine bay.They have entire motor kits to put a compressor anyplace you want to. This way you would be adding a/c and tricking out the motor.

This is the way I went with my 62, The only problem I have to deal with is making the refrigerations lines go where I want them

Now I am using classic auto air out of tampa florida. (I use them for the stock repair parts on my caddy and some other cars I have restored) anyways on my 62 the kit the sell puts the compressor on the worng side of the car. I ordered the evaporator from them and its been mounted and removed and it is an excellent design. When it came to the condencer coil I gave them a diagram of how I wanted the hard lines to be mounted so I can mount my compressor on the passenger side.To make a long story short,not only did they floow my diagram but they also improved on it because the fellow bending the lines must have worked on a 62 before because the lines had fit as if I bent them my self on the car. Now I am going to use a march performance pully system for the car so all I have to do is purchase there line set.lay them out on the car and cut them to lenght and shipped them back to them and they will crimp on the fittings of my choice.What more could a fellow ask for.

Good Luck

Ps compaired to the system in my caddy these systems are cake.

Now granted Iam slightleuy over weight but I could not live with out a/c in a car.

If its hot and sticky I wont take the 66b out for a spin I rather get the caddy with a/c in it.

 

[JohnZ]

I may be wrong but i thought the alt was suppose to be on the pass side, except with A/C cars, where the alt is moved to the drivers side and the A/C compressor is mounted on the pass side.

Barry, the factory A/C compressor was always mounted on the passenger side; on '63-'65 cars, that moved the alternator to the driver's side. The alternator moved from the passenger side to the driver's side for '66-'67 on all cars, so nothing had to be moved in '66-'67 to accommodate the compressor mounting.

 

[BarryK]

Thanks John. I guess they got smarter as the years progressed on production

 

[stepinwolf]

Something's wrong

I find it strange to hear the comments about the Dr. side compressor mounting, because I have installed dozens of after market systems from " ChisenHall's " " Vintage Air ", and also " Classic Air " ( I'm doing one now ) , and in all cases, although the brackets are identical, the instructions recommend a Pass/side compressor mount. In most cases when I ordered the wiring ( 63 to 65 ) I just asked that it be wired for a L/H alternator mounting and everything always lined up properly.

BTW for those of you considering a system from " Vintage " the hardware and instructions for the hood release cable mounting bracket ( figure four http://www.vintageair.com/download/...e%20Non-Air.pdf ) is extremely difficult, if not impossible to install, so I have designed a small mounting bracket that take care of the issue. I have submitted it to the manufacturer, but they did not see fit to improve their system. So much for the sure-fit BS. Anyone interested can e-me and I will respond with a few pictures and a clear description of how to make one up yourself.

Stepinwolf

 

[Subfixer]

Wolf, The 3 companies I looked at all make driver's side compressor systems for the early C2's, so I don't have much of an issue finding one.

In their designs, the discharge hose from the compressor runs across the top of the radiator to the pass side to hook up to the condenser. The suction side hose runs behind the distributor shielding along the firewall to the evaporator housing. The liquid hose from the drier runs along the pass side fenderwell.

It's just the pulley/belt arrangement details I'm trying to work out. All of their systems are designed to work with the pulley arrangement used on the 300hp cars. It's up to the customer to figure out what extra pulleys may be necessary.

I have seen the driver's side compressor install somewhere on one of these forums, and even with the increased plumbing length, it was well done, with the plumbing faily well hidden. It looked well designed. I just have to find it again.

I know I'm being really anal about this, but it's the way I want to do it, so whatever difficulties I'm having are definately self-induced. I'll get it figured out one way or another.

 

[Subfixer]

OK, Next question.. Anyone have a pic of a stock L79 with P/S and A/C? 65-67 is what I'm looking for.

Please either post it or send to my email: Subfixer@comcast.net

Thanks.