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Hello all. And Happy New Year wishes.
My '68 Mustang came with factory air conditioner. I'm looking to reinstall AC after 47 years.
I'm told there's a 12 volt system that's much less expensive and easier to install.
Does anyone have experience with this 12 volt system?
Are there any other systems you would recommend?
Thank you
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If you do not have the original AC/heater box in good condition then I wouldn't even ponder trying to reinstall a factory system. Every one of those boxes I've seen in the past 20 years has been cracked, shattered, cobbled back together with epoxy, etc. Its just not worth messing with. Any modern system is going to be better than 50 year old junk.
A modern compressor is also going to be much better than the old ones that drained like 20-25HP off the engine when engaged and had the weight of a boat anchor all the time.
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TKOPerformance wrote:
If you do not have the original AC/heater box in good condition then I wouldn't even ponder trying to reinstall a factory system. Every one of those boxes I've seen in the past 20 years has been cracked, shattered, cobbled back together with epoxy, etc. Its just not worth messing with. Any modern system is going to be better than 50 year old junk.
A modern compressor is also going to be much better than the old ones that drained like 20-25HP off the engine when engaged and had the weight of a boat anchor all the time.
Good to know.
Replying to the question I have only heard about a local guy who installed one on a classic Mustang and likes the way it performs. Not sure if you'll need to get a bigger alternator.
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Lucky you if you have the original control cluster and the left, Center and right hand side vent outlets. They are reproduced in some kits but nowhere near the O/E quality.
There are at least a couple of aftermarket ac units , mine is a Classic Auto Air, Vintage Air is another.
I’d suggest calling one of those companies and explain what you have and I’m more than sure that one of them will suggest what parts you need to complete the installation.
You probably don’t need a complete kit since an original A/C car will have a lot of the ancillary components.
I found CAA has an excellent customer service.
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As Rudi suggests, I'd call an aftermarket A/C system vender, explain what you do have, and see what they have to say. I have a Vintage Air system, an found them to be quite helpful.
Remember that the 68 A/C system used R-12 freon, modern systems use a different freon, and the modern freon doesn't work that well witht the components (evaporator, condenser) from 1968.
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The original system was 12 volts, so I'm wondering if you (daily driver) are confusing 12 volts with the coolant R-12 freon?
The 12v runs the blower motor and the compressor clutch solenoid. All Mustangs, all the way back to 64.5 have had 12v electrical systems.
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Maybe the OP is looking for a fully electric A/C system? Here's an example -
Wonder if a compressor can be sourced at a Tesla boneyard?
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GPatrick wrote:
Maybe the OP is looking for a fully electric A/C system? Here's an example -
That's what I took daily driver's original post to mean. The compressor is powered electrically instead of a belt drive, which allows you to mount it in the trunk if you'd like.
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GPatrick wrote:
Maybe the OP is looking for a fully electric A/C system? Here's an example -
Wonder if a compressor can be sourced at a Tesla boneyard?
$1,300 for the compressor. Pulls 100 amps. Compatible with Vintage Air Gen IV in-dash system. It will double the cost of an AC system, plus a huge alternator, but sounds doable! We just need to find a junk yard full of dead-battery EV cars to see if one could be bought cheaper. I’m sure there will be lots of those cars in the near future.
I would be game for doing this in my convertible, just so no compressor would have to go on the engine. But, where would one mount it?
If you have room on your engine for a belt-driven sanden compressor to mount, that would sure simplify things, though
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GPatrick wrote:
Maybe the OP is looking for a fully electric A/C system? Here's an example -
Wonder if a compressor can be sourced at a Tesla boneyard?
DD needs to clarify Zackly what system he is asking about.
I checked Tesla a/c compressor and it runs at system voltage 350-400 and draws 5-20 amps not 12 volts.
There are numerous articles on the net about 12 volt driven compressor conversions.
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This is yet another reason to run a Fox accessory drive system. You can pick up a used compressor for that setup for about $50-$150 on eBay. They are quite simple and can be rebuilt for about an hour's effort and $50-$100 worth of parts, during which you can clean everything so you aren't tied to running conversion oil or R12. Then hoses can be made to connect that compressor to the other parts of the system whatever they may be. Its so common I would bet that those hoses are already available from the major AC system suppliers.
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Thank you everyone for your responses.
Happy New Year Everyone.
Sorry I didn't offer more information.
GPatrick is correct, I was referring to a completely electric system.
But that sounds like just as much work. I don't know. I hope not to run anything to the trunk.
I thought everything would be in the engine bay.
I'm ok with the compressor on the engine because it came that way and I still have the crankshaft duel pulley. Sounds like a lot of work either way.
@TKO I have the original air box installed. I replace the heater core in 2013. I believe the air box is ok.
But I trust it probably isn't and would soon fail anyway.
I have a 289 engine with an Edelbrock torquer 289 intake. I disconnected the AC vacuum control lines way back in the 80s. The Max, AC, fresh air, defrost knob isn't function right now. I would like to have defrost again too. I've been plugging the diaphragm vacuum line going to the heater core for heat.
All help is appreciated!
Thank you
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So I think really what you are considering is a system that eliminates the vacuum and/or cable controls in favor of electric. You have a couple options. If your existing box is okay then the system can be fixed, and you can simply add a newer style compressor to that system, and convert it to R134a. This would really just require some hoses, though a condenser made for R134a (6 pass) probably isn't a bad idea, and there may be some other work converting to R134a depending on the compressor you use and what's in the system now as far as oil.
The big thing with the old system in my mind is not to throw good money after bad.
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Here are a few videos of an install
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Considering the need for a larger battery and a 150 preferably 200 amp alternator, a serpentine setup with a belt driven compressor seems to be the better alternative. You likely won't be able to drive an alternator of that size with a single v-belt. It looks like an electric compressor is a good choice when there is no other viable option for a belt-drive.
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