I have a '69 F250 that has factory air. I want get it in working order, but don't know where to start. Should i trust local Mechanic to work on such an old unit. Thanks for your help. Al

 

Man, that thing has one of those power robbing York compressors on it.

You would be light years ahead to put a new aftermarket system on the truck with the Sanden type compressor. May cost a few bucks more to start with but you will recoop the money in a few short years. IMHO

The new systems are much more efficient.



John

 

I have gone through one of the systems. Basically disassemble and repair. You will need to get everything moving and lubed again. Also foam or something to reseal all the air doors. They are pretty simple, but a little bulky. If you are going through the entire system I would consider upgrading to a Sanden compressor for sure. There are adapters that allow you to mount the Sanden compressor on the old York style platform. The York style compressor is a little more efficient at low RPM but it is hard on belts.

If you really have the money I would highly recommend The Vintage Air Gen IV system. I just installed one in a 67 Camaro and it is a really nice unit. They don't have a direct fit kit for our trucks but it should be fairly easy to take the universal kit and adapt it. I did the same thing with one of the earlier units they make. The latest units are superior to even their own products from the past.

 

1967 - 1972 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | 67 - 72 Ford Pickup Truck AC

Direct fit system.
***
OR.. find a sanden pump install it. Then do some searching for a local AC plumbing store that cam make your soft lines, and then recharg the system.

 

thats a nice kit. i would imagine the blower motor and evaporator core mount in the engine bay since it looks like the stock heater is still under the dash, or who knows who its setup, i sure would like more pics though. and although 1200 bucks is alot to spend, thats definitely what it costs to restore a factory underdash unit. you need new hoses, probly a new compressor, new expansion valve (i have the last one in existence thanks to bill) you have to flush everything, get the r12 for it, and a/c work is a very precise scientific thing to be working on. its much easier said then done and is much more than just vacuuming and putting cans of refrigerant in it. you need to do temperature differential testing, and then measuring pressures with gauges is tricky because this varies with ambient temperature, plus if you have newer bigger hoses then the factory charge amount is not enough, and its just such a huge headache. out of the vents mine is below freezing, and sometimes i have to watch my thermometer and turn it off because my thermostatic switch doesnt work and i have it hardwired and it gets dangerously cold. but the way i see it is that these old units are not worth all the hassle. anytime you need to work on your heater you have to drop the whole unit out, disassemble it, and then f*** with your a/c all over again. plus it takes up way too much space in the cab, you cant get parts, you only get 2 louvers, it also gets in the way of stereo wiring, plus the defrost ducts get in the way, the list goes on. definitely do not trust a local mechanic to work on it, dont let anybody work on it. because it is going to need an aweful lot of work. plus there is no way they are going to take the care+time while working on it that you would take. there are many great ones out there but you still have to realize they are a business and they are in the business of making as much money as possible and as quick as possible. plus you probly wont get r12 from a mechanic and although 134 does work, it isnt designed for this type of system. they each have different properties and they each react differently. the size of certain components in the 40 year old factory system with a york and the way it functions and the speed which is functions is not efficient with 134. if you would be interesting in buying my entire system i may be interested in thinking about selling it.

 

Danger Dave, download their PDF file for the install. the blower motor and evap are in the unit under the dash. I am buying this system sans the pump, and hopefully have a local shop make the lines, still looking for a local AC shop.

 

ah ok, so then it probly takes up the space of the glovebox but they coincidentally wont show that part. yeah for mine i happened to find a place in orlando called amazon hose. and they can make so many different types of hoses and lines its rediculous. i got all custom made barrier a/c hoses with different 90 degree elbows on them and whatnot, then i bought foam insulation and insulated every hose as well. hopefully if you look around you can find a similar place as well.

 

oh my god. i just read that whole instruction from start to finish and I AM IN LOVE. it is so beyond awesome and all i know is I WANT IT. I even get to have my factory glovebox back. whoever designed that system really put some thought into it. looks like my whole system will be going up for sale soon.

 

Danger-Dave, go here --->Van-Air & Hydraulics Parker Store and forget that shop in Orlando, that is if you are still in Dirty Joursey. I plan on giving them some business when I get back to working on my truck.

 

I just had a guy call me today about a hood and he also has a 69 or 72 with air. Im wondering if i could convert mine to air. What im getting to is will i have to make space for the hoses and vents or is the space already there?

 

The space is already there for the AC components.