C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help! How long to install a/c

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 07:52 PM
  #1  
78Shadz75's Avatar
78Shadz75
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default Help! How long to install a/c

I need some help......I have a 78 S/A with no a/c. I am in the process of purchasing a complete kit alledgedly with everything from a to z. Everything is supposed to in the kit from Corvette America. Can anybody tell me how long a technician would need to install.??? Say for an experienced tech to just an a/c tech who has had no experience installing it from scratch. tks. 78 shadz 75
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 10:46 PM
  #2  
Ak. Mal's Avatar
Ak. Mal
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Default

Was your car originally an A/C car that no longer has A/C? The answer to that question will affect your answer.

If yes, the next question is how much if any of the original system remains?
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 10:53 PM
  #3  
78Shadz75's Avatar
78Shadz75
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default help a/c

That might help eh? The car has never had a/c.....but will have shortly.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2006 | 12:46 PM
  #4  
Ruth Buckley's Avatar
Ruth Buckley
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Monroe Louisiana
Default

Back in the day... long long ago, that was my Daddy's specialty. We had cars with air long before most. He could do a complete install in about 2 days. That is on a car with no factory air. He did all kinds of cars... guess that is how I learned to work on cars.

Hope this helps
Ruthie
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2006 | 01:13 AM
  #5  
Sacredgrooves's Avatar
Sacredgrooves
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
Default

I asked some friends at nc classic restorations what the labor cost would be to retrofit a/c into my 69(no a/c car) and he said the better part of $1500 in labor to do it show condition perfect. so, probably quite an undertaking.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2006 | 09:55 PM
  #6  
78Shadz75's Avatar
78Shadz75
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default help a/c

Thanks everybody for your input. It appears that 2 days (16 hrs?) would be pretty close. Today the new a/c kits alledgedly come really with everything from A to Z.....so will find out. tks again..
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2006 | 01:15 AM
  #7  
carl a's Avatar
carl a
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by 78Shadz75
I need some help......I have a 78 S/A with no a/c. I am in the process of purchasing a complete kit alledgedly with everything from a to z. Everything is supposed to in the kit from Corvette America. Can anybody tell me how long a technician would need to install.??? Say for an experienced tech to just an a/c tech who has had no experience installing it from scratch. tks. 78 shadz 75
one thing i do know is that if the ''book''says 12 hrs and they know short cuts and the entire job is done in a hour thell probably try to get 13 hrs... whenever i do electrical for a mechanic,,doctor or a lawyer its at least double.just to see em squiel ,,the top 3 that love to overcharge but you cant pry a penny outta there hands...the only reason that mechanics get away with this book practice of lies,is that the first con is ''drop off your car we will call you..because 110% of people would bitch of being ripped off because we are... i love when you drop in the garage,,,without them knowing your coming ,,,to check on progress,,,and the mechanic walks over to your car like he has been,,hard at work,,,truth is that there are 20 cars gettin charged at the same time from the same mechanic
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2006 | 07:29 AM
  #8  
gator79's Avatar
gator79
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Default

Originally Posted by carl a
one thing i do know is that if the ''book''says 12 hrs and they know short cuts and the entire job is done in a hour thell probably try to get 13 hrs... whenever i do electrical for a mechanic,,doctor or a lawyer its at least double.just to see em squiel ,,the top 3 that love to overcharge but you cant pry a penny outta there hands...the only reason that mechanics get away with this book practice of lies,is that the first con is ''drop off your car we will call you..because 110% of people would bitch of being ripped off because we are... i love when you drop in the garage,,,without them knowing your coming ,,,to check on progress,,,and the mechanic walks over to your car like he has been,,hard at work,,,truth is that there are 20 cars gettin charged at the same time from the same mechanic
being a tech for the last 30 years people have trouble with the flat rate book, but only when it is to there disadvantage. if the job pays 2 hrs and for some reason you have problems and i takes 4 hrs you still get 2 paid hrs, so it all works out. in my shop you are quoted a price before work is done. if you do not agree with it you can opt not to do it. that is no different than construction or electrical work. I am sorry but all techs are not rip offs and liars like you claim. I am sure there are dishonest ones just like there are dishonest electricians. you just said you double your prices for mechanics, doctors and lawyers. is that fair?
we have the same price for everyone and if you dont agree with it do it yourself. sorry for the rant but this issue just pisses me off.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 10, 2006 | 11:29 AM
  #9  
ratflinger's Avatar
ratflinger
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Default

Originally Posted by 78Shadz75
I need some help......I have a 78 S/A with no a/c. I am in the process of purchasing a complete kit alledgedly with everything from a to z. Everything is supposed to in the kit from Corvette America. Can anybody tell me how long a technician would need to install.??? Say for an experienced tech to just an a/c tech who has had no experience installing it from scratch. tks. 78 shadz 75

Don't buy it from CA - go direct to the manufacturer. It looks like it's either a Hot Rod Air or a Classic Auto Air unit, but there may be others. You can save $200 & there are no middle men to deal with. HRA's tech support is terrific & they custom rebuilt my 79 A/C controller to work with their system, for no extra charge. I believe they can also rebuild your Heat/Vent only controller to correctly drive the unit or you can provide them with a A/C contoller, depending upon what you want the final prduct to look like.

One other note that is not mentioned - you will loose your dash glovebox. You could fab a small replacement box, it just won't be very deep.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Help! How long to install a/c





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:05 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE