My '72 Mav 302 has the original AC, all in pieces. The AC/heater unit is out of the car. There was no pressure in the system when I opened it up. Soon I'll have to decide how I'll get a functioning AC system. Have an extra compressor and condenser. I'm thinking I should replace the evaporator and keep everything in the cabin original. Should I convert to R134A? (Seems like a good idea to me.) Replace the compressor with a newer, lighter one? Attempt to get one good compressor from the two I have? Would appreciate any thoughts or advice. BTW, this seems like a good topic for a tech article. Anyone know any good web sites on the subject? Thanks. Jim
I'll give you my opinion. The R134A needs good condensor air flow. Our cars, in my opinion, does not have good air flow for it. Adding a pusher fan will make it work. The R134 freon is cheaper and readily available so I would convert. Do it knowing that there will be parts that need to be adapted etc and your good. Get a modern compressor also. Much lighter and runs queiter.
AC Opinion I know just the basics of AC. I plan on upgrading my fac. AC sometime in the near future. I plan on upgrading the entire system, most likely from Classic Air in Flordia. I personally don't see it to my advantage on piecing together part new, part old and be dissapointed w/ the results. I don't want to do it but once. My org style compressor is vry noisy and the sys only puts out little cold air. I agree w/ Gene im going w/ R134. "JMO"
I would go 134a. I'm not sure how much R12 is around you, but I think its going for 30 bucks per 12oz can these days around here. Not to mention, in MD you have to have a commercial a/c license to purchase/fill/repair R12 systems. They cracked down big time on R12. That being said, you should talk to some a/c after-market companies. Im not sure the original variable orifice will work best with 134a. And like gene said, a pusher on the condenser will definitely help with 134a performance. Let us know what you find out!
i went with the late model compressor (Sanden) and all new stuff under the hood (conderser, evap., hoses, binary switch). use all the stock stuff inside the car. ......
That sounds good. Any suggestions on a donor car for the under hood things? Current plan is to use all the '72 belts, pulleys and brackets. Do you know of a SBF with V-belt Sanden that will bolt up with my '72 accessories?
There are some brackets, that bolt to the factory compressor mount, that allow you to use a Sanden, plus you can buy them with a V-belt pulley.
Thanks for the responses. I hoped for a long shot where some Windsor-motored car or truck had a Sanden compressor and most of what's needed to swap compressors and convert to R134A. I'll look into Classic Air.
If you keep the old setup, you can use a product called Freeze 12. Lots cheaper than R12 and you can buy it yourself. Mine's been running with it for 3 years now and still plenty cold. No need to change stuff out either.
I contacted Ron at Classic Auto Air Mfg in Tampa. They sell Under Hood Kits for Mustangs, etc, that upgrade the compressor and replace (of course) everything under the hood. Compressor, condenser, hoses, dryer ... Also includes necessary brackets for the upgraded compressor. They don't have one for a Maverick but Ron said they could build on one of the Mustang kits and provide everything for the Maverick for $700-$750. Think I'll go that way. I also want to have a good evaporator when I put the under dash unit back in (hope I never have to pull it out again!!) and charge the new system. They don't have an evaporator for the Mav but they will "repair" my old one for $90 or build one for $300. I'll ship them my old one and see how that goes. Not sure there's anything wrong with it but need to be sure its good. I'll post updates here since there may be others that are considering upgrading the AC. Wonder if they'd be interested in a free ad in Shorthorns and a member discount??
AC Opinion That price sounds fair to me. I just have to get around to pulling out my heater box. I have few other mechanical issues I have to resolve B4 I get around to pulling the box. Upgrading cooling and charging systems at present. Im not looking foward to tackling the box but it's on the agenda.
Mojo asked for updates on my Classic Auto Air Underhood Kit install. Decided to post them here in case others are interested. The info on parallel flow condensers came just a couple of days too late for me. I had already ordered a replacement condenser in the serial flow tube and fin style. It arrived a day or two after I tried to change the order. Classic Auto Air tested my evaporator and it checked out OK. Came back looking new. They're also rebuilding my drier. eBay had driers for '74 Mavs for a lot less money than Classic charges to rebuilt them but I wasn't sure they'd fit my '72. I ordered a new blower motor from Rock Auto but the first one they sent wouldn't turn. Looked like the armature was hitting one of the magnets. They took it back, no problems, and even sent a replacement as soon as mine was on the way to them. Replacement seems fine. Today I got the accessories in place, including the Sanden compressor. Was a challenge to get the 85 (slight exageration) brackets in place, even with a picture taken before disassembly. Gotta get some wire looms and get those plug wires neatened up.
JS ur lookin gud. I did'nt take any pic's B4 I took all that stuff apart but thanks to ur sharing these pix's I have a gud idea abt putting it back. I probably wud have ordered my stuff but balking at tackling the heater box and assorted issues that maybe involve with it. I just got the car to the point where I feel it's up to standards mechanically and been KRUZING- that's another excuse for not workin on the heater/AC. I suppose I better get moving if I want to make some progress B4 the wx turns hot; I don't see myself under the dash once the real summer arrives. IS THAT CLUTCH FROM YORK COMPRESSOR OR DID IT COME W/ THE NEW COMPRESSOR. Thanks for sharing the experience.
I like to see our older cars sticking with the A/C even after mods. While there's a few places around the country where it's not needed there's still a lot of climates where it is. For anyone ever thinking they'll sell their street car someday or not, I think you'll get a return on the investment of a working A/C. Someday the plan's going to be to sell the LDO and do (or buy) another car. You can bet that the one with working A/C is going to get the nod all things being pretty close to even.
The Sanden compressor is just as it came from Classic Auto Air. Pulley is about an inch smaller diameter than the one on the York. If I remember I'll post a couple more pictures showing bracket placement. Its easy now with the radiator out.
