65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Other Buicks and Years => Other Gran Sport Years => Topic started by: wildman on April 13, 2021, 07:11:10 AM
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I am considering adding A/C to my 67 GS.
I talked to Vintage Air and they do not have an system engineered for Buick's. They said I would just have to select various parts and components; sounds a little risky.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
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I want to add a/c to a couple cars too. I know many have added it already. I sure see a lot of Vintage Air systems on cars when on the Hot Rod Power Tour. Air, overdrive, and disc brakes are probably the best things to add to our cars, and fuel injection maybe.
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Pinging dsags!!!
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Pinging dsags!!!
Added Vintage Air to a 65 Special. One catch, it has an LS engine in it, so the compressor mounting part of it is different than stock. Have heard of some who install the Pontiac Lemans\GTO kit, but I found it better to pick and chose from their Builder Series.
Followed the lead of Roger Sears’ installation and ran the hoses behind the inner fender for a cleaner look but that isn’t necessary. If the car has no air currently the best bet is to go with a complete air, heat & defrost unit. The best unit they have is called Gen IV. It has computerized operation, etc. BUT, the unit may not fit under your dash. They do sell Mock-Up units for $50-60. They are hollow plastic units so you can size them and only weigh about 3lbs.
The Vintage Air site has dimensions for the various units - GenIV, Compact, Mini and Super GenII.
My install started with the dimensions which led me to ordering a Compact GenII mock-up. Then the fun began. You have to take out the current heater to test fit the mock-up. On a 65 this is accomplished by removing all the bolts from the inner fender and sliding it forward. This gives you access to ‘all’ the bolts on the heater. There is much more to the job (recommend removing the passengers seat) but this is a start.
There are other consideration later such as the hose kit to buy (I have an AC line crimping tool set I can loan out) but the first step is to get the correct unit.
Purchased all of my install stuff from Summit Racing. Used the Vintage Air site just for finding the parts wanted. Can’t post pictures of my install as the are in the wrong format. But PM me and will email them.
Dan
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Dear wildman, Jim, Chuck, Dan, and mid-60s Buick caregivers who like to be cool! :glasses9:
I am considering adding A/C to my 67 GS.
. . . . .
Added Vintage Air to a 65 Special. One catch, it has an LS engine in it, so the compressor mounting part of it is different than stock. Have heard of some who install the Pontiac Lemans\GTO kit, but I found it better to pick and chose from their Builder Series.
I also have Vintage Air in my 1965 Buick Special wagon with a big-block Buick engine. I used the 1964-67 GTO Sure-Fit as the basis for most of the components.
There is a thread about it on V-8 Buick:
https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/installing-a-vintage-air-sure-fit-system-into-a-1964-67-buick-skylark-special.270379/ (https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/installing-a-vintage-air-sure-fit-system-into-a-1964-67-buick-skylark-special.270379/)
There is someone on the V-8 Buick forum who make a bracket for the compressor that comes with Vintage Air systems:
https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/455-a-c-sanden-compressor-bracket.274546/ (https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/455-a-c-sanden-compressor-bracket.274546/)
So it is definitely something that can be done. I'm pressed for time at the moment, but if you have questions by all means ask.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Another option might be the Vintage Air Mark lV under dash unit. Not sure if it fits your build but they do make lots of cold air and require less cutting to install.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Vintage-Air-672001-VHY-Mark-IV-Underdash-Cool-Only-System,272475.html (https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Vintage-Air-672001-VHY-Mark-IV-Underdash-Cool-Only-System,272475.html)
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Dear wildman, Kevin, and mid-60s Buick owners who like to be cool! :glasses9:
Another option might be the Vintage Air Mark lV under dash unit.
. . . . .
I'll definitely second the motion to look into under-dash evaporator units. On my wagon, I couldn't figure out how to mount my gauges and have an under-dash unit. However, somebody on this board found a unit that mounts further back so that you can have the vents beneath the triplet of gauges. Alas, I couldn't find that posting here after a "college try" search. However, there are a number of companies making aftermarket parts for vintage vehicles. So before you put too much sweat into the project, you might spend some time checking into all your available options.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Dear wildman and mid-60s Buick caregivers who want to be cool, . . . :glasses9:
I finally found the thread I was thinking about. Here it is:
http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,4119.msg34317.html#msg34317 (http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,4119.msg34317.html#msg34317)
The 4th photo in the posting shows the under-dash evaporator unit behind the gauges. If you read further in the thread, you'll find information on the under-dash model.
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14: