A/C conundrum

[Anonymous]

I need to fix my a/c. I need to do it soon. I need to do it as inexpensively as possible (i.e. less than $700). I've looked at the offerings from VintageAir, ClassicAir, HotRodAir, ACKits.com, and NostalgicAir.

Hands down, NostalgicAir has the best price... $630 bucks... :

http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/getproduct.php?pid=272

...but the underdash unit looks like someone beat it with an ugly stick.

Short of ClassicAir's entirely refurbed underdash unit, the best looking unit is from this company "Rainbow Products:"

http://www.rainbowproductsonline.com/index.html?token=615883735-1883433349-1942786541&A=4&B=AC Kits (scroll down to near end of page)

... but I haven't been able to find out anything about them that makes me want to give them my $.

I'm agonizing about this because I'm probably going to have to sell my original underdash evap unit to offset the cost of the A/C... hence I want something that looks remarkably like the stock unit (i.e. at least a chrome faceplate, knobs and registers).

Many of you are now thinking, "Why doesn't he just keep the stock underdash evap. unit and replace everything else?" Well, this A/C system has been "open" for several years... hence the integrity of the evap core and TXV are suspect. Also, the blower fan seems to be weak... the difference between the low and high fan setting is negligible... so either the motor needs replacement (or possibly the switch). Finally, a new thermostatic switch is likely needed as well. So, I could be looking at another $300 to get the stock underdash unit working.

I'm open to any ideas/suggestions that y'all may have.

 

[LaGrasta]

I've spoken about NAP before, all good. As for Rainbow, I have at least heard of them. I discovered them nearly three years ago. I wouldn't fret too much about buying from them. I'd ask Jon at NAP if he can get the same unit, I bet he can.

 

[69Falcon]

I got my kit from NAP and was extremely pleased with their customer service from Jon after one of my boxes (drop shipped from the mfg) was delivered by UPS ripped open. Jon helped me go through everything, and had stated that if anything was missing he'd get it replaced right away. Luckily everything was there, though.

 

[fb71]

Chuck, what type of system are you running? Underdash, etc?

 

[69Falcon]

Yes, the underdash kit with the "chrome" grill.

 

[Anonymous]

I emailed John at NAP and (as the above poster just pointed out) he does have a chrome face unit... but it has square as opposed to round vents.

So here's an informal poll... which unit do you think would look better in my car?

or

FWIW... a pic of my interior:

I have the short a/c console that I'm going to clean up and re-install as well.

Thanks again for your opinions.

 

[mustang6]

I like the http://www.classicautoair.com/Mustang6466.asp setup because there is no big unit hanging under the dash taking up space. If it was me and I wasn't going to stay original, this is the route I'd go.

 

[Anonymous]

Agreed... it's a great system, but it's about $500 beyond what I can afford (besides, it prolly requires a pristine cowl... which I ain't got ;-).

 

[CoupeBoy]

top (square one) gets my vote. Personally I dont like the 'flat black plastic' look of the one with round vents. Plus I think the chrome accents on the square one will look better with your factory gauge bezel/dash.

I've got a similar problem on my '68 but with factory AC, I'll just have to fix what is in there. Currently I have NO condensor, drier, open airlines to the Compressor, I doubt the evaporator or the lines to it and from it are any good anymore.

my .02
-ron

 

[wallaka]

I like the sqare one, it's almost identical to the factory Mercury units.

 

[LaGrasta]

gotta love the chrome. The rounded one matches the Mustang dash better than the square. Is there any way you can take the chrome facia off the original and place it on the new rounded one? This would give you the rounded dash like appearance while maintaining all that chrome everyone likes so much.

 

[Anonymous]

Is there any way you can take the chrome facia off the original and place it on the new rounded one?

IIRC the chrome and black camera finish portions of the stock facia are one piece... that being said, the fan/thermostat switch holes won't line up with the NAP unit.