Mounting recommendations for...
Mounting recommendations for the 14x24-inch condenser are for it to be as close to the radiator as possible without touching it, given the restrictions of proper line placement and avoidance of any other obstructions. There should be no more that a 3/16-in gap between the condenser and the radiator.
What To Consider When Ordering
One of the most important aspects of ordering a system is proper fit of the evaporator. To ease the guesswork when ordering a universal system, Vintage Air has printed the outside dimensions of all of the evaporators it sells for universal kits on the company Web site. Vintage Air recommends that the prospective buyer make a cardboard mockup of a unit that they want and then check to see if it will fit in the allotted space prior to ordering. The company can also offer you a plastic mock-up unit of the evaporator case you chose.
The Vintage Air dealer will want to know the year and model of your Pontiac, the engine size, which system you desire, your pulley choice, the measurement of the radiator core support opening, the finish of the compressor, control panel choice, hose and louver choices, whether or not you are running a clutch fan or electric fan, and extra-cost options or accessories.
Installation Considerations
Think long and hard before attempting this install at home. Plan out every step before you turn a wrench. Do you have the proper knowledge of A/C systems, wiring, bending lines, installation of fittings on hoses and other skills needed to do the job correctly? Do you have the required tools? If you get the universal rubber hose kit, you will need a crimping tool or you can use a local shop or Vintage Air to do it for you. If you upgrade to stainless, you will need a sizeable tubing bender to handle the #6, #8 and #10 lines. (The company also offers U-Bend-Em aluminum lines to ease installation.) If you've got the will, the tools, and the knowledge, then have at it. But if you think the install may be beyond your mechanical aptitude, Vintage Air can provide contact info for a dealer/installer in your area.
What's In The Box
Evaporator kit
Mounting brackets Control panel Air vents 2.5-inch diameter flexible ducting Heater control valves Defrost adapters with 2-inch diameter flexible ducting Wiring harnessSanden SD 508 Compressor
Compressor mounting bracketUniversal Hose Kit
3 hoses in various lengths 2 A/C bulkhead fittings 2 compressor fittings with service portsScott installed a large SPAL...
Scott installed a large SPAL 16-inch electric puller fan from Vintage Air behind the radiator on the Firebird to draw air through the condenser and the Rodney Red 4-core aluminum radiator. Melvin related that he likes to install a 14-inch electric pusher fan in front of the condenser as well to cool it when the car is static and idling but the A/C is running. He said, "we wire it into the trinary switch so it automatically kicks in when the A/C head pressure level rises."
Condenser
Universal mounting bracketsOther Mods And Upgrades
4 core radiator 100 amp alternator Battery with 660 cold cranking amps (cca) minimum, 770 or 900 cca are better 7 blade clutch fan or electric puller fan Fan shroud Properly seal doors and windows Tint windows Insulate interior from drivetrain heat Pontiac A/C crank pulley (if not already equipped)Conclusion
According to Melvin Benzaquen, "The adaptability of the universal system from Vintage Air is a great advantage for installation. You can mount the dryer in any location. The same is true for the trinary or binary switch and a few other components." Scott Hand, the technician who installs the systems at Classic Restorations said, "they are very nicely designed, especially the control panels and are not difficult to install once you are familiar with them." Doug Tornello, owner of the '67 GTO stated, "The GEN-II system works great! It blows cold and I have had no problems with it since it was installed. The optional control panel and the outlets have a jewel-like appearance and function as great as they look."
Pricing for the systems varies greatly based on evaporator choice and the additional options and accessories you choose. The base GEN-II kit runs about $1,200. Adding a lot of options could increase the price past $3,000. Don't forget other mods/upgrades that are not included, like those to the cooling system and electrical system and pulleys to ensure optimal operation. Classic Restorations generally charges between $1,500 and $3,500 for complete installation depending upon the system-type, the application and the options and accessories chosen. Budget conscious or flamboyant, the choice is yours since there are so many options for customization.
Hopefully this article has provided some insight regarding the Vintage Air system's form and function to help you decide whether adding A/C to a non-A/C Pontiac or converting factory A/C over to this new more efficient system is right for you.
Another aspect of a clean...
Another aspect of a clean install is going the extra mile with components not included with the kit. Here, a slick billet aluminum block was made at a local machine shop to attach the heater line to the firewall. The #10 line runs into a #10 flexible braided hose to compensate for engine movement.
The heart of the A/C system...
The heart of the A/C system is the evaporator. In the Firebird, the ComPac GEN-II evaporator with defroster measuring 20.5L x 9H x 7.75D, which is smaller than the GTO's Super GEN-II unit at 24L x 8.5H x 8.5D, was mounted up under the passenger side of the dash. An even smaller GEN-II Mini unit (19L x 9H x 7.3D) is available for tighter spaces. Though the evaporator can be easily bolted to the firewall with the included brackets, since Melvin wanted the firewall to remain smooth in the engine compartment, Scott made a few brackets and welded the retaining straps to the passenger compartment side of the firewall and then bolted them to the unit. Keep in mind, you will have to give up glovebox space to install the unit.
This is the optional 4 lever...
This is the optional 4 lever machined aluminum control panel, which contains all of the adjustments needed to provide heat, A/C and defrost, and vary the fan speed and air temperature to keep your Pontiac comfortable. Note the plugs and/or connectors that terminate each wire to ease installation. There are no cables or vacuum hoses to contend with.