So I purchased a classic auto air aftermarket unit and want to have it installed in my Mustang. I was told by the speed shop I went to that it would take them a week to install it and they would have to (or maybe just want to) run stuff thru my fender to hook it all up. I feel like this seems like an awful long time. Any thoughts on this?

 

Everything I have heared about these aftermarket systems is that they are fairly easy to install and can be done in a day... Also, I have no idea what they would have to run through the fender... Firewall, sure, but not a fender. What year, body style? What part number AC kit?

 

I'm confused- they want to run the A/C pressure hoses through the fenders? They usually run on the driver's side, just to the right (positions are always from the driver's perspective) of the where the steering column pokes through; through the firewall. You can tie them up to the shock tower if you want, but they don't need to be. They are bulky hoses and need some room for engine movement.

I would request the car for at least two days for the work- if there was no one else in front you. This is assuming that I'd have to install the compressor, condenser, accum., evap. unit (inside the car), hoses and ducting. A new kit would take less time to install than restoring an old one also.

 

Sounds like they may not want to clutter the engine compartment with the hoses and crap, I can respect that.

I wouldn't be worried about the time much, in a week it will be done, but I would not want to get a bill for a whole weeks worth of labor charges.

 

A week is way to long! I installed a Vintage Air setup in our car AND did the extra work to run 4 (or was it 5??) of the hoses through the passengers shock tower for a cleaner appearance. The work likely took me 2 days in total since its was done in steps with other things going on as well. Basic install by a professional shop with experience should be 1 to 2 day. Running hoses though shock towers isn't hard nor does it take that much time.. 90° angle drill, hole saw set and some grommets. As for in the fender I dont see it being any more work. Was this something you asked them to do?

A week is way more time then it should take. We've got a local shop here who schedules a day, asks for the car to be dropped off in the morning, and its ready by end of day for a basic install. This is for the VA unit installs which are pretty much the same install procedures as a CAA unit.

 

The vintage air kit on mine took me about a day to do my truck took about 6 hours its got a bigger engine bay tho lol.A week is kinda long even making longer ac hoses only takes maybe a hour if that it shouldn't take more then a day maybe 2 tops unless they are milking the clock letting you pay for it to sit there.

 

I'd be interested in knowing what they quoted you for the job. I'd also suggest making some calls to other shops.

 

If they are doing a lot of custom tubing and vent work. that could take some time. A straight install with a few mods to clean things up, is pretty quick. An A/C dealer can do two stock installs in one day.
If it helps, here is a write up of an install I did about 4 years ago, on a C.A.A. "Perfect Fit" kit for a '66. This took a short day and half of another, and included quite a few mods.
There may have been changes made to the kit, since I installed this one, so always a good idea to look carefully at the components, and instructions before starting.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2400202/4


Good luck!

 

A week? I put a factory in-dash system on a 68 390 on a Saturday. Fender? They work on Chevys. Avoid them.

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I was out of town, but the car is a 66 coupe 6 cylinder. The unit is a perfect fit R134A under dash unit from classic auto air. Not sure the exact part number. The guy that quoted me is a local speed shop. The guy running it is very young and they are still getting started, but I went thru their shop and looked at some of their work and it is excellent. I feel like maybe they haven't done much work with AC in vintage Mustangs. They do have a 67 in their shop now but they have 2 chevy's a plymouth and just finished an old 32 Ford. The weeks worth of work was at $45 an hour so it would be 1800 for the week. I also thought that seemed like a lot of time, I've read about people installing these in a day or two. I never asked for the lines to be run thru the fender. I don't even care if they make it look exceptionally clean. I've built this car as a driver and most important for me is whether the car and accessories function as they are supposed to rather than it just looking pretty. Would a regular shop do something like this? Also do these and shouldn't these kits come with any instructions? I opened one box to fit everything in the trunk but I didn't open the other and they are now in my parents garage b/c I don't have space in my condo.