My '69 (at least the door is a '69) has an air conditioning unit hanging under the dash. It is contoured to fit the dash perfectly the label says cust-o-matic by Glandy or Glardy or Clardy I can't read that part well. Firt of all does anybody know anything about these. It seems to work ok but doesn't blow very cold. How can I tell If it has been upgraded to the r135? More importantly I'm starting to get a whiff of antifreeze when the heater is running and my manual says nothing about replacing the core with this system in the way. Have any of you guys messed with these? Or have any idea where I can find a manual for this?
Thanks alot,
Mike

 

From your description it's a very similar unit to the Ford dealer installed Deluxe A/C, prolly made by the same company.

If the compressor is the original York type, I doubt it's been upgraded to R134.

If it's not blowing very cold air, it needs a recharge. Expect to pay at least $25.00 for one 14 ounce can of R12 (Freon) and the system takes 2 1/2 cans for a recharge.

If you smell coolant, the heater core is leaking. To reach the core, you may be able to access it thru the glove box, otherwise the A/C unit will have to be removed.

 

I have the same unit as you describe on my 68 F100. It uses R-12 freon if the unit has not been converted. There should be a sight glass on the Drivers side under the hood next to the radiator support on one of the lines. If it's R12 the referigerant must be recovered before the you can pull the Heater/AC coil unit. If someone converted the unit it should (by law) have a label under the hood and the fittings should have adapters on the std 1/4 ports.

It sound like you have a heater core leaking, antifreeze leak. To repair that you will need to remove the coil unit. The unit is held in place by 4 bolts, 2 on firewall (under hood) and 2 inside the cab. Plus control cables, and wiring. The AC harness is powered by 1 wire. Removing the unit is not hard but it will make a mess if you do not seal up the heater core lines. The unit is removed as 1, once you get it out you can part the case and replace the heater core.

The York compressor will not hold up to a R134 conversion. So I do not recommend doing them, spend the extra money for R12.

 

There was many aftermarket units around back in the hay days of R-12. Ford units went all the way accross the underside of the dash. And it had a small little built in glove box. Ford AC dash units removed the old glove box insert which all you see it a relay and cable and ac housing in dash box hole. If this sounds like your unit your in for a big job. It may be the old 5/8'' heater hose leaking where it bends around the back side of the AC unit. If they aren't leaking and it's the core you should replace those two
5/8 heater hoses any way. I had to get some 90* elbows to make up some new hoses for the ac unit backside going through the fire wall and to the motor.. Not a one hr job...my 2cents
orich

 

Thanks for the replys. This unit does not go all the way across the dash it is 24-30 inches long and mounts where the bottom of the dash curves up. About 1/3 to the left of the curve and therest to the right. The glovebox is in its normal position. It seems to be separate from the heater system. Looks like one more thing on the list for this winter.
Thanks again,
Mike

 

The factory A/C went all the way across under the dash and includes the heater system. It has a large register on the passenger sde that cannot be adjusted.

There were two different dealer installed units. The deluxe version includes the heater, the economy type does not include the heater.

 

My Factory unit does not go all the way across on my 68. Don't know about the other years.

When you pull the unit, you need to have the AC lines loose under the hood. The firewall seal loose or removed. The heater hoses can be disconnected when you gain access by removing all the screws. Or Like I prefer is to pull every thing as one unit. This is actually easier if you have someone help you to feed the hoses through the FW. Or once you drop the unit down a little you can remove the AC hoses from the expansion valve and evap. You may want to replace the hoses while you got them out. If you do and have the hose replaced using your existing fittings make sure they get the lengths correct. If the hose that are under the dash are to long the wiper arm will cut the hoses.

 

Well your ac unit sound about the same size as mind. I have to drop the unit and just enough and push it to one side so I can pull the heater box out so the heater core hose nipples will clear the inside fire wall then i can pull the H-core out. I don't have to open the ac system .. My 2cents
orich

 

We are working on a under the dash customer o native unit on a 67 F100 does any one know where I could get replacement switches for it I've been look around and can't seem to find parts for this anyone know where to get parts...thanks!!

 

I realize this thread is a coupla years old, but since someone re-awkened it...the above needs clarification.

1968/72 F100/350: There are 2 different types of Ford A/C, both have "hang-on" bezels, bolt to the bottom of the dash.

1) Factory installed Integral A/C is combined with the heater. The A/C controls are in the same dash mounted panel as the heater controls.

Since the expansion valve mounts where the glove box liner is, the type installed w/factory A/C is very short, so there is another glove box within the bezel.

2) Dealer installed A/C is not combined with the heater. The two A/C switches mount on the bezel...which is shorter than the bezel w/factory A/C.
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tblatt: Welcome to FTE

Replacement switches depend on whether the A/C is from FoMoCo...or not. Many of these trucks have 'gypo' (aftermarket) A/C.

The FoMoCo A/C used in 1967 is totally different than 1968/72, because the dash and etc are 1967 ONLY!

1967 F100/350's also have "hang-on" A/C. The bezel Ford used is the same as: 1963/65 Falcon/Fairlane; 1965/66 Mustang. The A/C is separate from the heater.

This bezel is chromed steel, has 4 round chrome plastic registers (O). The two A/C switches (o) mount between the registers: O o OO o O

There is a Ford emblem above the two center registers. The bezel also contains the evaporator, expansion valve and the blower motor.

 

Ok our 67 F100 has a whole unit under the dash I've seen the little bezels your talking about but this has one log unit it says customer o matic clardy mfg.Co ftworth Tex...

 

Aftermarket A/C .. Not genuine Ford.

Since Clardy is still in business, they may still have parts. Google Clardy Mfg.

 

Ya I knew it was after market..thank you the site has a phone number I can start their thanks again.!!

 

you don't have to use r12 , there are replacements now r414b "hotshot" will work just charge 80% of r12. there's also freeze 12 same deal 80%

 

i was wondering if someone can recommend ac for my 69 F250 CS
I hav a stock 360 with a manual transmission.
Like all of us, least cost for best performance.
I have been looking at some aftermarket units and as always the forum has this best advice. Thanks