this should be an interesting development.......

[BarryK]

My wife and I took a drive to a small show today. It was only about 30 minutes from home but it's VERY hot and humid today (currently 96* w/ a heat index of about 105*). By the time we got to the show we were already soaking wet just from being in the car.
When we got there my wife said as soon as the budget allows we NEED to get A/C in the car and her look tells me the unsaid rest of her thought was "or I'm not riding in it anymore......"
THAN she adds the following "and YOU have to install it because I'm not putting up with you paying all that money to another mechanic again just to have you be unhappy about it and have you throwing fits around the house anymore. You talk to enough people on those Vette forums you are on that I'm sure they can help you get thru it." :ugh :ugh

I TRIED to explain that me just learning how to do the timing in NO way qaulifies me to start installing an A/C system but she put her foot down. By next summer the car better have A/C and I'M the one that has to install it.
Yeah right, like that's going to go well. I can already envision me taking the car apart and than taking 3 years to get the d*mn thing installed correctly.

So......... Paul, Larry, anyone else that has installed A/C in a Vette, especially a C2, who wants to come visit for a weekend in Delaware over the winter. I'll supply room, board, great home cooking, and all the beer you can drink!

 

[warren s]

Barry -

I saw some of the installation of a retro fit system for a 67. Its alot of work, but nothing really impossible. I was told that the owner did it himself in a few days. Dissasembling was slow, but nothing really crazy. You do need a place to work and a good assortment of the usual tools.

The owner also replaced the origional radiator with a larger aftermarket one that cost about as much as the AC kit itself.

If you install it you can always bring it some place ot have the system evacuated and charged.

 

[paul67]

Barry,
A block of ice and a small 12V fan plugged into the cigarette lighter might be cheaper. And less aggravation. But that might not sit well with the W.

Seriously, that is one job I would not try on my own. Your solicitation for assistance is probably a wise move. Personally I could not drive a Corvette with all hatches closed up although at times the A/C sure would be nice. In 20 years of Corvetting I have only driven twice with the windows up and t-tops (1979 C3, no A/C) on. Both occasions were unexpected rainstorms. I guess we all have our little quircks.

BTW, I'm going through money like a hot knife through butter with my new/old house. So I haven't been here very often lately, much less thought of automobile A/C. I do as much as I can myself but there are some things that are simply cruel and unusual punishment. Last week the roofing people put on black shingles in 100F + humidex days. That's a brutal way to make a living. I had a couple of 24s in the 'fridge for them: bottled water and iced tea.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Barry -- please take this in its most favorable light -- Trade the 65 for a C5 or C6.

 

[BarryK]

Hi Warren

yep, i know at least a few people on here have put either the Vintage Air or Classic Auto Air systems into their C2's. I've read from their posts that it was very time consuming and not really easy but it's doable but it's definately beyond my abilities.

luckily, I have a 2-car garage to work in so space isn't a problem - just my VERY limited knowledge of working on cars.

 

[BarryK]

Paul

Nope, I'm not dumb enough to even consider attempting this job on my own - no way, no how. If I can find help to get me thru it than great. if not than it's paying out BIG bucks to have a good shop do it for me and there is only one shop that I'm comfortable sending the car to to have it done and I'd need to check to see if they even have installed any of these systems. It's a long drive to send the car there which is why I don't use them for my regular service and therefore has had to deal with incompetent mechanics locally, but on something this big they are the only one I'd trust to do it right and proper the first time around without hassles.

I cannot imagine ever working outdoors in this heat anymore - I did that far too much growing up on a farm!
Now i'm spoiled and much prefer to stay in the cool A/C

yep, sure is easy to spend big bucks working on a house isn't it! :ugh

 

[BarryK]

Barry -- please take this in its most favorable light -- Trade the 65 for a C5 or C6.

Sell Baby?! NEVER!!!
I plan on dying with this car.
At some point I'd love to ADD a C6 (and others) but i'll never sell Baby.


although there are a few days I'd love to destroy her....... but selling her isn't an option.

 

[ctjackster]

get a job, and she won't be able to decide how the budget is spent (ok, that's just a theory, doesn't really work too well in actual practice.

seriously though, once you get some paycheck flow things should relax a bit. I took a Vintage Air system off once, like someone said it isn't rocket science but the sort of job that demands comfort around tools and the ability to come up with some work arounds if necessary

 

[BarryK]

Jack
we are actually starting a new small business and hopefully once that gets off the ground things will lighten up around here.

The install would be difficult enough but as you say, from reading other posts, things tend to come up needing some fabrication, etc and work-arounds and that would throw me big time and get me stuck very quickly.

 

[Z28Canuck]

So what temperature was Linda on the IR gun when she said this to you?
Once you get your one or two experts lined up for the A/C installation the other 10 of us will stay over, cheer you on and drink your beer! NO, no Barry, no need to thank us it is our pleasure to support you and build up your mechanical confidence. Yeh, I know, you can always count on us! .
I think you will be willing to try a lot more things now, some with experienced help, but you definately know you can try anything and with the CAC members you're never alone! Good luck on whatever you tackle Barry.
See you in a couple of weeks and work safe OK.
Doug

 

[Subfixer]

Barry, I agree, it's GD hot here too. We'll get together and discuss this in Carlisle and you'll be able to see how relatively easy the install is as long as you have all the right parts. Like I tell everyone else... It's just nuts and bolts.

Jack already has me booked for some work on his car this winter, so we'll all have to figure out when and where. Maybe I can start travelling the country like Lars doing Vette work here and there.

BTW, it will probably take the better part of a 3 day weekend.

 

[BarryK]

Doug
not sure but I'd bet her temp was off the scale :lol
maybe a bit more willing to try to work on or fix more things with help but still realistic and know where my limits are and an A/C install is WAY beyond my limits!

See you in Carlisle

 

[BarryK]

Paul

what can i say, you are popular and in demand! Knowledge can be a hard sometimes when you have it and others need it

Yeah, the "Paul installs A/C world tour" coming to a city near you. Tickets on sale at tickettron Aug. 17th.