Sorry to leech off of this question with my own A/C issue, but here goes...

The A/C from my 70 Fastback was taken out before I bought it (the controls and vents are still in the dash). If I want to reinstall A/C, should I go with a regular A/C car shop and have them install an aftermarket or non-original unit, or is it worth it to pay extra for original? If I'm looking for the best budget option, what's my best bet? Thanks!

 

A stock unit will require a rebuild to upgrade it to use the new R-134 stuff. You are paying for a core,a compressor rebuildand all new hoses there. If the engine mounting brackets have been removed, you will need to located new ones. An aftermarket unit requires installation and charging.It may have all the brackets you need. It depends on what you want to do with your car overall. I would bite the bullet and get a new one. Go to the FAQ section of this forum section and do some research.
Jim

 

Well I checked on that part number. Ford dealers do not carry them anymore. FYI, they also do not have speedo cables for the old mustangs either.[:@] He gave me three names of places that might have one. Did a google search and only one hit came up. What do people do with their controls when they go bad?

As for the '70 A/C, R12 is some good stuff, but you cannot buy it. Only licensed guys can deal in it because of ozone issues. I happen to have 100lbs of it for my retirement! I change all my old cars over to 134. It does not work as well, but it is much cheaper, I can fill it myself, and parts are easier to find. If you do go with an orginal system, you may consider having it switched to 134 if it will work. I am not sure if the old stuff works that way. I know my '88 Bronco was easy to change. All I had to do was flush the system and put a new drier in.

I have an orginal A/C car with an aftermarket system. I think it works ok, but not great. Not sure how the orginal stuff worked though. Texas heat and a dark car and interior makes it hard to find anything that works great.

 

John,
A donor car or nothing are the two options for the busted switch. There are plenty of Ford applications, time to be a 'junk yard' specialist. Give these guys a try in New Jersey - http://www.perogie.com/and these guys in Oklahoma http://www.mustangokla.com/Be prepared to spend.
Jim

 

Ok. To the junkyard I go.

 

"Taken out"? Like the compressor, condenser, condenser line, suction line, sight glass? If all they did was remove the compressor and the two lines (hoses) then you should be able to find those parts. If you don't care about a stock look then you could use an aftermarket kit that is designed for old hot rods. I'm betting that you could use the old controls to operate the retro system. You will use 134A. I'm a commercial refrigerant technician by trade, and an interesting question has been raised. I have switched several vehicles from R-12 to R-134A. I have never seen a kit that states you have to flush, or rebuild any components in the system. If by flush you mean evacuate, then yes you do use a vacuum pump to remove moisture and ensure a pure enviroment to inject the refrigerant. The question raised that I will look into is if vehicles that are as old as a 1970 Mustang needs to have components changed in order to accept the R-134A. Compressors are dumb. As long as its in a vapor state they will pump anything. The type of refrigerant mandates the compression and efficency factors. However, I am curious to find out if components need to be changed to use the modern refrigerants.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought you had to get all the R12 compressor oil out before putting in 134 because they are not compatible.[&:] That is what I ment by "flush".

 

In California, everything is hazaderous and the 'greenies' go nuts if you dare to Bar-B-Q or use a gas powered mower. I don't think that any referigerant is available for regular people to add to their A/C. I just special ordered thru a friend with an auto shop, a 5 gallon container of carb cleaner and he says we got the last 2 5 gallon cans in the warehouse, one for me, one for him. 'We musfst protecfst the environmenfst anfsd all thfse littlfse birdiesfs'.
Jim

 

Dang...In Texas you just go and buy this stuff from Wal-Mart or Autozone. R134, carb cleaner, degreaser, ozone killer, etc. Got to love the great Republic of Texas.

 

99% of the R12 will come out, then the air con folks do a flush and drier , then add the 134A. The first thing they have to do is to change the out and inlet for the freon, because the 134A uses a larger inlet and outlet. After I had 134A put in Ol' Yeller, I was expecting a hotter air con, but surprisingly enough it seems just as cold as with the R-12. Never does get very cold anyway.
To the 70 guy.....try googling classic air or Vintage air to see what their units run.