1973 AC upgrade
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 79
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From: Lake Placid Florida
1973 AC upgrade
Rebuilding my 73 from the ground up. Any advice on upgrading the AC to be as efficient as possible, but still having the appearance of somewhat original. Thanks for any input.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Take a good hard look at the A/C systems that the retrofit companies use. Classic Auto Air, Vintage Air, Restomod Air.
Those systems are designed for efficiency, and for use in tight spaces.
I would consider replacing the entire 73 factor system with one of these kits.
Good luck with your car.
Those systems are designed for efficiency, and for use in tight spaces.
I would consider replacing the entire 73 factor system with one of these kits.
Good luck with your car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Take a good hard look at the A/C systems that the retrofit companies use. Classic Auto Air, Vintage Air, Restomod Air.
Those systems are designed for efficiency, and for use in tight spaces.
I would consider replacing the entire 73 factory system with one of these kits.
Good luck with your car.
Those systems are designed for efficiency, and for use in tight spaces.
I would consider replacing the entire 73 factory system with one of these kits.
Good luck with your car.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
On my '71 I switched to a Sanden compressor, a parallel flow condenser and R134a. It actually cooled too good, the evaporator would freeze up after a while. I added a temp switch from a late 70's pickup that turns the compressor off if the evap is close to freezing.
The Sanden is much smaller than the factory compressor and made it easy to get to the passenger side spark plugs.
The Sanden is much smaller than the factory compressor and made it easy to get to the passenger side spark plugs.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 269
From: S.E. MI
St. Jude Donor '15
On my '71 I switched to a Sanden compressor, a parallel flow condenser and R134a. It actually cooled too good, the evaporator would freeze up after a while. I added a temp switch from a late 70's pickup that turns the compressor off if the evap is close to freezing.
The Sanden is much smaller than the factory compressor and made it easy to get to the passenger side spark plugs.
The Sanden is much smaller than the factory compressor and made it easy to get to the passenger side spark plugs.
I did the same to my 77.
