1969 Air Conditioning
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth Texas
1969 Air Conditioning
I am looking for a big block 69, and have found a few that are interesting, but only a handfull with factory air on the 427/390. I havent seen any on the 427/400. Got to have AC in Texas, or drive it only at night and during the winter 
What's the ballpark cost of adding AC to a 69 without factory air? I would prefer a factory setup, but would probably settle for an aftermarket setup, if it was integrated into the car without being obvious...and saved some bucks
Also, any problems adding it to a 427/400 tripower? enough room?
What's the ballpark cost of adding AC to a 69 without factory air? I would prefer a factory setup, but would probably settle for an aftermarket setup, if it was integrated into the car without being obvious...and saved some bucks
Also, any problems adding it to a 427/400 tripower? enough room?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
I am looking for a big block 69, and have found a few that are interesting, but only a handfull with factory air on the 427/390. I havent seen any on the 427/400. Got to have AC in Texas, or drive it only at night and during the winter
What's the ballpark cost of adding AC to a 69 without factory air? I would prefer a factory setup, but would probably settle for an aftermarket setup, if it was integrated into the car without being obvious...and saved some bucks
Also, any problems adding it to a 427/400 tripower? enough room?
What's the ballpark cost of adding AC to a 69 without factory air? I would prefer a factory setup, but would probably settle for an aftermarket setup, if it was integrated into the car without being obvious...and saved some bucks
Also, any problems adding it to a 427/400 tripower? enough room?
looks like the kits are 1200 or so plus misc parts, and at least that much again for someone to install..
keeping the old AC running is the problem.. how many 44 year old AC systems actually are reliable.. you would be putting hundreds into it each season... so get the new kit..
if you are looking for a 69 427-400, then the extra 3 grand to put ac in it is peanuts
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 41
From: Pinecrest FL
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
My L36 has factory air. Blows ICE cold. Everything is original to the system. Had to to charge the system, but no issues at all over the past year and a half.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Keep looking until you find one.
All the aftermarket add-on AC systems are "obvious."
You could get factory air with the 390 and the 400 so there is plenty of room. Cost to install factory air will be your major concern. Purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at what is required for the inststallation of the optional C60 AC system.
...but would probably settle for an aftermarket setup, if it was integrated into the car without being obvious...
...any problems adding it to a 427/400 tripower? enough room?...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth Texas
Keep looking until you find one.
All the aftermarket add-on AC systems are "obvious."
You could get factory air with the 390 and the 400 so there is plenty of room. Cost to install factory air will be your major concern. Purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at what is required for the inststallation of the optional C60 AC system.
All the aftermarket add-on AC systems are "obvious."
You could get factory air with the 390 and the 400 so there is plenty of room. Cost to install factory air will be your major concern. Purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and take a look at what is required for the inststallation of the optional C60 AC system.
I did check out the aftermarket vintage air system above, and actually not so "obvious" depending on your viewpoint. Yes, the compressor is different, so if you are looking under the hood it is "obvious". However, in the cockpit you can't tell the difference. The Louvers and control wheel are exactly the same.
One problem I noted with the vintage air system, even though it is marketed for corvette without factory air, is that you need to purchase the control wheel assembly and overlay console trim separately from a 3rd party, and these run approx 500 and 250, so total cost is really about 2000.
Another interesting issue is that factory air cars apparently had a solenoid to the carburetor that would kick up the rpm when the car was at idling and the compressor came on .... I dont think the aftermarket setup needs this, and not sure how this was handled on the tripower cars with air
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
My VA setup for 68 non-AC cars came with the controls and overlay. You can read the complete installation instructions on their website.
I recently installed a Classic Auto Air universal system which is very similar to their vette setup. It was cheaper than VA and a simpler cable operated design (some times simple = better). It also has a smaller evaporator than VA so should be less "obvious" inside the car. The VA setup hangs down considerably below the passenger lower dash pad. CAA also has their installation instructions online with pics.
If you want to add a solenoid, the CAA would be easier. The AC request is a simple 12 V switch that runs through a thermostat, the binary switch, to the compressor. The VA system is computer controlled.
btw, really happy with both products.
I recently installed a Classic Auto Air universal system which is very similar to their vette setup. It was cheaper than VA and a simpler cable operated design (some times simple = better). It also has a smaller evaporator than VA so should be less "obvious" inside the car. The VA setup hangs down considerably below the passenger lower dash pad. CAA also has their installation instructions online with pics.
If you want to add a solenoid, the CAA would be easier. The AC request is a simple 12 V switch that runs through a thermostat, the binary switch, to the compressor. The VA system is computer controlled.
btw, really happy with both products.
Hello, thanks for the reply. I have the AIM...looked at it...saw what was required, but didnt show what the cost would be
I did check out the aftermarket vintage air system above, and actually not so "obvious" depending on your viewpoint. Yes, the compressor is different, so if you are looking under the hood it is "obvious". However, in the cockpit you can't tell the difference. The Louvers and control wheel are exactly the same.
One problem I noted with the vintage air system, even though it is marketed for corvette without factory air, is that you need to purchase the control wheel assembly and overlay console trim separately from a 3rd party, and these run approx 500 and 250, so total cost is really about 2000.
Another interesting issue is that factory air cars apparently had a solenoid to the carburetor that would kick up the rpm when the car was at idling and the compressor came on .... I dont think the aftermarket setup needs this, and not sure how this was handled on the tripower cars with air
I did check out the aftermarket vintage air system above, and actually not so "obvious" depending on your viewpoint. Yes, the compressor is different, so if you are looking under the hood it is "obvious". However, in the cockpit you can't tell the difference. The Louvers and control wheel are exactly the same.
One problem I noted with the vintage air system, even though it is marketed for corvette without factory air, is that you need to purchase the control wheel assembly and overlay console trim separately from a 3rd party, and these run approx 500 and 250, so total cost is really about 2000.
Another interesting issue is that factory air cars apparently had a solenoid to the carburetor that would kick up the rpm when the car was at idling and the compressor came on .... I dont think the aftermarket setup needs this, and not sure how this was handled on the tripower cars with air
Last edited by Garys 68; Nov 8, 2012 at 04:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
...Another interesting issue is that factory air cars apparently had a solenoid to the carburetor that would kick up the rpm when the car was at idling and the compressor came on .... I dont think the aftermarket setup needs this, and not sure how this was handled on the tripower cars with air
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Installing factory air into your 69' is doable but you'll need to pull the motor to do it properly IMO.
I'm in the process of installing factory A/C in my 69' coupe (SBC) and with the engine out, it's pretty easy to get the firewall cut out and all the other bits installed.
Cost? Depends on if you get lucky-
Folks on the forum here are removing (and often tossing out) their factory A/C at an alarming rate. Most will be more than happy to sell you their original components for a very reasonable price.
All you need to do is plan ahead, make sure you have ALL the pieces accumulated and then tear into it.
I spent last year assembling all the pieces and I am now installing the system. Overall, it probably ended up costing me a grand to do it but I did invest in a new evaporator, condenser, compressor, A/C lines, accumulator and heater core (I only want to do this once!).
I opted to use a parallel flow condenser, C4 blower and Sanden style compressor for less weight and better efficiency- Everything else is OEM components. I also plan to continue using R-12.
It's time consuming but it's not rocket science. If you take your time and plan well, it'll work out fine.
I'm in the process of installing factory A/C in my 69' coupe (SBC) and with the engine out, it's pretty easy to get the firewall cut out and all the other bits installed.
Cost? Depends on if you get lucky-
Folks on the forum here are removing (and often tossing out) their factory A/C at an alarming rate. Most will be more than happy to sell you their original components for a very reasonable price.
All you need to do is plan ahead, make sure you have ALL the pieces accumulated and then tear into it.
I spent last year assembling all the pieces and I am now installing the system. Overall, it probably ended up costing me a grand to do it but I did invest in a new evaporator, condenser, compressor, A/C lines, accumulator and heater core (I only want to do this once!).
I opted to use a parallel flow condenser, C4 blower and Sanden style compressor for less weight and better efficiency- Everything else is OEM components. I also plan to continue using R-12.
It's time consuming but it's not rocket science. If you take your time and plan well, it'll work out fine.
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