Restore A/C?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
From: New River Valley
Restore A/C?
My son is a crybaby spoiled millenial who just won't let it alone. A/C, A/C, A/C, whiiiiiine. Boy, in my day, we didn't have A/C in the house either, and you just dealt with it.
Anyhoo, this '77 F350 had A/C originally along with a 351 Windsor. Previous owner swapped in a 390 FE, and left all the A/C bits and bobs dangling.
Is it actually possible to restore A/C to this beast? It looks like everything is there except the compressor, but I'm kind of of the same mind as the last guy who worked on this truck when it comes to fooling with A/C. It's just something to enjoy until it breaks, then you cut the belt and ignore it.
I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no conditioned air Miss Scarlet.
Anyhoo, this '77 F350 had A/C originally along with a 351 Windsor. Previous owner swapped in a 390 FE, and left all the A/C bits and bobs dangling.
Is it actually possible to restore A/C to this beast? It looks like everything is there except the compressor, but I'm kind of of the same mind as the last guy who worked on this truck when it comes to fooling with A/C. It's just something to enjoy until it breaks, then you cut the belt and ignore it.
I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no conditioned air Miss Scarlet.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 56
Likes: 2
There are lots of threads where people install/reinstall original A/C to trucks that don't have it for one reason or another. It seems there are three common types.
1. OEM factory AC found on other trucks
2. Dealer-installed AC from that time period
3. Aftermarket AC from modern companies such as this one:
https://nostalgicac.com/
Here's a thread with some discussion from the last couple days:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...setup-wtb.html
1. OEM factory AC found on other trucks
2. Dealer-installed AC from that time period
3. Aftermarket AC from modern companies such as this one:
https://nostalgicac.com/
Here's a thread with some discussion from the last couple days:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...setup-wtb.html
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Yes explain 5/70 air...5 windows (2 roll down, 2 wings, 1 rear slider) and 70 MPH....lol. A/C 101 for ya. 1979 F100 Air Conditioning
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES ®
https://cgfordparts.com/wwwsectionfi...a_c.html#SEALS
Diagrams start at post #3 and then #4 ect...https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696828
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES ®
https://cgfordparts.com/wwwsectionfi...a_c.html#SEALS
Diagrams start at post #3 and then #4 ect...https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14696828
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 534
Likes: 27
From: North Texas
Not too difficult to do. I was in about the same place (all parts except compressor) and did mine a year ago (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...0-w-400-a.html). Looks like you'll need the A/C mount bracket(s) for a 390 but most everything else should work, I'd recommend since you don't have a compressor to convert to a Sanden style - lower burden on the engine and should get more millenialmiles out of it before going back to the 5/70. good luck !
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
Plan on a compressor, condenser, dryer, all O-rings and refrigerant at minimum. If you want to convert it to R-134 from R12, you may need a new thermal expansion valve if so equipped, and should plan to flush the while existing system with alcohol to change the oil in it. Depending on the compressor you choose you may have to replace hoses.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
My son is a crybaby spoiled millenial who just won't let it alone. A/C, A/C, A/C, whiiiiiine. Boy, in my day, we didn't have A/C in the house either, and you just dealt with it.
Anyhoo, this '77 F350 had A/C originally along with a 351 Windsor.
Previous owner swapped in a 390 FE, and left all the A/C bits and bobs dangling.
I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no conditioned air Miss Scarlet.
Anyhoo, this '77 F350 had A/C originally along with a 351 Windsor.
Previous owner swapped in a 390 FE, and left all the A/C bits and bobs dangling.I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no conditioned air Miss Scarlet.
1973/79 F100/350 & 1978/79 Bronco: THREE completely different types of A/C .. Most of the parts do not interchange.
"Know about birthin' babies." Then when actually asked to do so, responded "Don't know nuthin' about birthin' babies." -Spoken by actress Butterfly McQueen in Gone With The Wind.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
Like everyone else said try and piece together a stock system or go aftermarket. I had a nostalgic air AC system installed on a 79 460 truck, really great system. A/C box hung under the passenger side dash between the heater box and the dash panel. Getting the convenience of having everything just drop in and already be 134a instead of R12 comes at a price
https://nostalgicac.com/complete-ac-...ly-system.html
Granted, that's for trucks that didn't have factory AC. I think they have other kits for trucks with factory AC too.
-Jameson
https://nostalgicac.com/complete-ac-...ly-system.html
Granted, that's for trucks that didn't have factory AC. I think they have other kits for trucks with factory AC too.
-Jameson
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 325
From: Central Florida
My dearly missed '29 Ford coupe had a roll down rear window so I could yell at my kids in the rumble seat plus a front windshield that could be pushed open to get a full frontal blast of air. That worked great at any speed over 40. Rain was a problem though. ;-)
That said, A/C is very nice and can actually be essential to life in some cases. However, the A/C systems in our dents are often not be worth the effort, time and money it takes to restore them unless competing for points at antique car shows is your bag.
Thus, you may want to give serious consideration to converting to a modern system with Sanden compressor and an aftermarket air handling system such as offered by Vintage Air, Old Air Products or Classic Auto Air.
That said, A/C is very nice and can actually be essential to life in some cases. However, the A/C systems in our dents are often not be worth the effort, time and money it takes to restore them unless competing for points at antique car shows is your bag.
Thus, you may want to give serious consideration to converting to a modern system with Sanden compressor and an aftermarket air handling system such as offered by Vintage Air, Old Air Products or Classic Auto Air.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
It is not too hard to replace/update the underhood parts... just a little spendy.
I would look for brackets for a Sanden style compressor... either Sanden brand or copy (134 compatible). The same vendor should have a condenser to go in front of the radiator and hoses... or hoses can be sourced from a local shop. With correct expansion valve and freeze switch, the whole affair can be hooked up to the existing in cab part (evaporator) and can work fine.
It is probably hard to know condition of the in cab part... that said if levers, fans, heat control ect. seems to work good chance it is fine with an internal AC solvent flush and worth a try.
I would look for brackets for a Sanden style compressor... either Sanden brand or copy (134 compatible). The same vendor should have a condenser to go in front of the radiator and hoses... or hoses can be sourced from a local shop. With correct expansion valve and freeze switch, the whole affair can be hooked up to the existing in cab part (evaporator) and can work fine.
It is probably hard to know condition of the in cab part... that said if levers, fans, heat control ect. seems to work good chance it is fine with an internal AC solvent flush and worth a try.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
The AC compressor in my 78 "let the magic smoke out", so I replaced it with another York (style?) compressor from Pep Boys. (Had a coupon)
The guy that flushed and charged the system was not impressed and neither am I. When the system does work, it feels like it grates and grinds and likely to fall apart. It also drains the engine of over 100 rpm.
If I had done a little research beforehand, I would have put the Sanden style compressor on it. There are kits available on eBay.
I might still do it...but now the damn squirrel cage fan/motor is going out. I noticed last winter, when running the heater, a squeal that was probably bearing noise from the motor. And now, in the summer, the fan is intermittent. Some days it works, some days it don't.
So I guess my advice is: if you're gonna do it, go with the Sanden and R134 conversion. Probably best to buy new hoses at the same time
The guy that flushed and charged the system was not impressed and neither am I. When the system does work, it feels like it grates and grinds and likely to fall apart. It also drains the engine of over 100 rpm.
If I had done a little research beforehand, I would have put the Sanden style compressor on it. There are kits available on eBay.
I might still do it...but now the damn squirrel cage fan/motor is going out. I noticed last winter, when running the heater, a squeal that was probably bearing noise from the motor. And now, in the summer, the fan is intermittent. Some days it works, some days it don't.
So I guess my advice is: if you're gonna do it, go with the Sanden and R134 conversion. Probably best to buy new hoses at the same time
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
From: New River Valley
Looks like I glossed over a chapter indeed. It was a 351, and I hear about the Windsors constantly, but this wasn't a Windsor. I missed that detail, as I didn't really research 351s after determining I had an engine swap. (I haven't figured out what year FE I have either, but that's a separate matter. Franken-trucks are fun at the parts store.)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 31
From: Nevada
Thankful
Every time I see an AC compressor in a pic on this forum i thank god my truck dosent have one 
, now I live in a mild summer climate so Im not going to claim its the greatest advantage on earth, cuz i lived in Vegas for awhile and its Africa hot at times 
, but personally if you fish, I would take that compressor and tie a rope to it........ 
When I got my truck running this year, i looked at my 16yoa kid and said 'want some AC', then opened the drivers vent window ! he looked at that thing like it was a space alien 
, now I live in a mild summer climate so Im not going to claim its the greatest advantage on earth, cuz i lived in Vegas for awhile and its Africa hot at times , but personally if you fish, I would take that compressor and tie a rope to it........ When I got my truck running this year, i looked at my 16yoa kid and said 'want some AC', then opened the drivers vent window ! he looked at that thing like it was a space alien
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