55.2-59 Just got my Vintage Air Gen IV kit, any tips?

[ApacheProject]

This TX heat is no joke, A/C is a must here. I just got the Vintage Air Gen IV kit with deluxe controls. My 58 Apache is a V8 factory 283/3 spd manual. I did search air conditioning installs and found a few older posts but I wanted to hear from members who have tackled this job recently with the newer kits. Any tips or advice?

[Hcb3200]

Best thing I ever did was leave enough extra high pressure and low pressure lines and wiring so I could drop my unit to the floorboard without having to unhook anything other than air ducts. if you go this route test fit everything in both up and down positions moving it up and down until your happy. Do not crimp any hoses until your are ready for final install and charging of unit.

[_Ogre]

good advice hcb3200. had to drop mine down to switch the heat valve
i'll add: don't try to charge it yourself. add the 1.8lb of freon with an ac machine.

[mr48chev]

You need to have an AC shop charge it simply because the system has to be evacuated with a vacuum pump. Few of us will have a vacuum pump for AC at home or in our personal shop.

[Hcb3200]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

You need to have an AC shop charge it simply because the system has to be evacuated with a vacuum pump. Few of us will have a vacuum pump for AC at home or in our personal shop.

The auto parts stores had one for free loner.
just had to pay deposit and got it back on return.
I let that thing vacuum for hours and tested. Make sure they give you new oil for vacuum. Then left it over night checking for leaks.
used my harbor freight gauges to charge it following Vintage airs specific instructions and oil weight using scale. that thing blows so much cold air my kids make me turn it off. what i saved paid for the gauges to have next time

[Hcb3200]

Also make sure your routing of lines thru firewall will be in a good spot for your future plans so you only have to do it once. Vintiage air gives some good advise for most projects. But I had to move my heater lines to a different location for some post work I was planning same with dryer placement as you have a couple of options. Mine is under battery box. But there is room in /behind grill as well.

[Patrat]

How do you plan to crimp the hoses?

Only advice I can add is make absolutely sure there are no leaks before charging.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Make Shur you scrape all the insulating material off the inside of the fire wall were the unit goes down to bare metal. There is barely enough room to get it in there.
Make sure the angle of the hose connectors are like they need to be & mark them before crimping them.
Those hoses are stout. You can't twist them.

George

[_Ogre]

My local NAPA crimped TRUK hoses, 12 years ago and I'm still on the original charge
They also had 90° hose ends that I needed

[ApacheProject]

Lots of good advice, thanks. I do own a vacuum pump and a set of gauges, I installed AC in a old postal Jeep a few years ago.

[mr48chev]

Cool, that's half the challenge. I've been going to build a vacuum pump out of an old portable room airconditioner if the compressor will still pump. I used one in Texas in the 70's that was made from the compressor of an old fridge.