Aftermarket A/C install question

Discussion in 'The Big Chill' started by eagleguy, Jul 30, 2017.

  1. eagleguy

    eagleguy 1971 Skylark Custom

    How hard and how expensive is it to install aftermarket A/C in a NON A/C Skylark? Do you need the original factory brackets?
     
  2. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Dear EagleGuy and V-8 Buick cool-cat wannabees,

    Well it depends on what your car has. You have a later model Buick so you might have the A/C vents even if the car doesn't have A/C. I have a 1965 which had no A/C vents - so that's hard.

    The systems run about $2k and that's just a bunch of parts. Worst you can't find a system for a Buick so you'll need to make some adjustments and some custom "fabs." The build thread for my trusty wagon is here:

    http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?th...-into-a-1964-67-buick-skylark-special.270379/

    Another more recent thread that might help you is this one:

    http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/time-to-put-the-a-c-back-on-my-70-gs.323414/

    You cannot use the factory brackets. However, there is a guy on this forum who makes brackets for both the big-block Buick and the Buick 350:

    http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/455-a-c-sanden-compressor-bracket.274546/

    In short it can be done, but it ain't easy! Still, if your car doesn't have factory A/C, it is probably easier to go aftermarket A/C than to try to accumulate all the parts to put the Buick system back in.

    Cheers, Edouard

    P.S. There are 3 vendors making aftermarket A/C for classic cars. You'll find a list on the second thread listed above.
     
  3. 36racin

    36racin Platinum Level Contributor

    Following
     
  4. eagleguy

    eagleguy 1971 Skylark Custom

    I think I would go complete aftermarket if that's easier and cheaper. I would be for a non a/c 70 skylark
     
  5. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Dear Eagleguy and V-8 Buick cool-cat wannabees,

    I don't know if the cost would be less than trying to get all the original factory parts, but you would have to spend a fair amount of time scrounging around to secure every part you would need (unless you were lucky enough to stumble across an A/C parts car.) Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information about doing this sort of installation. I even checked Team Chevelle and there aren't any particularly useful posts over there even if there should be many more conversions. However, I did find this video on YouTube:



    If you do a search for Vintage Air on YouTube, it brings up a large number of videos. You might try also typing the name of the other two companies: "Classic Auto Air" and "Old Air Products" to see what other videos that might bring up.

    Cheers, Edouard

    P.S. The Vintage Air installation manual for the 1970-72 Chevelle is online:

    http://www.vintageair.com/GenIV systems/Chevy/chevelle/70-72 chevellewoac.pdf

    That also might help you size up the task.
     
  6. rjm

    rjm Well-Known Member

    Fallowing also, this may be a winter project for me.
     
  7. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Having for the first time repaired an AC in my daily driver Honda and a buddy's 2000 Pontiac, I'm thinking this AC isn't so hard if you have a good compressor bracket. I really want to put AC in my 70 Stage 1 but have been reluctant up until now. After a few Youtube videos and the availability of a decent compressor bracket, I about to start making some phone calls to see what I can do.
     
  8. STAGE III

    STAGE III Lost Experimental 455-4 Bolt Main Block.

    I am pretty confident to say if I had my dash,wiring,ductwork,clips etc torn down that far the car would never drive again or would immediately catch on fire first time out and burn to the rims lol Man that is a mess of stuff!
    Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry intimidating
     
  9. chucknixon

    chucknixon Founders Club Member

    I added Vintage Air to my 67 GS 400 and they do make the underdash unit and interior A/C grills they do not make the brackets for the 400 engine. I had to find the original GS400 AC brackets, pulleys, etc. then bought the A6 aluminum look alike compressor and mounted it to the original brackets. It turned out to be a clean insulation. I also put in the A/C dash bezel so I had the look of an OEM dash and used the center vent. I have two original A/C outlets for each side of the dash but have not tried to make them work yet.

    DSC_1920.JPG DSC_1914.JPG


    DSC_3083.JPG
     
  10. STAGE III

    STAGE III Lost Experimental 455-4 Bolt Main Block.

    Nice job Chuck,looks good : )
     
  11. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Nice Chuck - where did you get the look alike and what's the part number? Curious minds want to know!
     

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