Has anyone installed an after market AC in a 55 Buick. How hard is it & can the average person do it? buckeye
No, but air conditioning isn't all that complicated once you understand how it works. You need to learn how the system operates. This includes the physics of the system. Many later Nailheads had AC, so later brackets and components can probably be used. I would say that the average person with good mechanical aptitude, a decent foundation in electricity, and a thorough understanding of how an air conditioning system works could do it. If this sounds a bit sarcastic, it isn't intended to be. I would not have attempted it when I was 19. I would now. I wouldn't waste my time attempting to find 1955 factory AC parts.
To get factory A/C parts, one would most likely have to buy the whole car. ---------- Post added at 08:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ---------- Here's this: http://forums.aaca.org/f169/air-condition-antique-cars-298505.html ---------- Post added at 08:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 PM ---------- And this; http://www.classicautoair.com/Custom_Models_Air_Conditioning_AC.html
Andy Forget rebuilt a 55 and used aftermarker AC. You will find his build pictures in the link which should provide some insight. http://www.55buick.com/Project/timeline.html I intend doing the same for my 56 but cannot offer any advice as yet. Ross
got a vintage air con system in my 55 super the bracket from a 425 i had did not work my mate matt had to fab one up
I'm interested in what upgrades might be needed for the Generator and regulator system. (up grade to an alternator?)
James, the earlier GM ac systems used expansion valves with a variable orifice. The compressor ran constantly whenever the air conditioning was "on." This took a lot of electrical power because the electromagnetic compressor clutch was activated constantly. Modern systems use a fixed orifice expansion valve and a cycling compressor clutch. The compressor runs only when cooling is required. This saves fuel because the engine is not running the compressor when it is not needed; also because the battery (and generator) don't have to supply electrons to the clutch constantly. This is a long way of saying that if a modern, cycling clutch system is installed, you probably can get by without a generator upgrade. BTW: Those old vacuum-tube radios sucked up a lot of juice too. A last comment: Those old GM systems with the POA valves and variable orifice expansion valves did a fantastic job of cooling.
Thanks John! You just jogged my memory of Mr. Lawrence teaching me about A/C in my high school auto mechanic's class! Now, I remember woking on expansion valve cars in that class..... I've always heard that the Trunk mounted GM A/C would freeze folks out the car! My understanding is that a '55 A/C job had an heavy duty generator. But, that the HD genrator was the same 30amperer as a nonA/C job. The difference was a roller bearing to take up the extra stress of the compressor belt. And the only cooling system upgrade was a 13psi radiator cap over a 7psi cap. As it is, When I drive my nonA/C job ; I've got one eye on the road. The other eye alternates from the ammeter to the temp. I have thought, if I added A/C to mine, I'm thinking ; Go to a 4 row radiator. And, add an electric fan The added fan would require an upgrade of the 30 ampere generator. Or, I just leave everything as it is. And open the windows and cowl vents..... And open the throttle a bit (to increase the airflow) Bulldog
I remember replacing a hose on a Chrysler Airtemp AC system in a very early Chrysler Imperial. When I recharged it, the temperature coming out of the ducts was in the mid 30s! Those old systems would cool a meat locker!
Hi, I have a 1955 Buick Super With factory A/C, if you would like to see pictures of it. Thanks, CWatts
