Tried searching but didnt find much that was related to this. Title kinda says it all. I have a 77 that I swapped out the 350 with a 454(or 458, lol). It originally came with A/C but I cleaned out most of the old A/C stuff (compressor/condensor/lines) during the swap. Both the alternator and P/S are on drivers side, and I have the 3 groove W/P pully. Well now the problem is Texas......its way too hot to drive it without AC. I was wanting to get a complete Vintage Air setup so I can hook it up and be done, but their catalog only goes offers up to a 1976.

Does anyone know if it VintageAir would work, and if not, should I try to piece together a setup from a '74 or earlier vette? Or just any ideas would be helpful. Thanks.

 

Why not call Vintage?

 

I called them and asked. Their only answer was "We only carry a kit up to '76, I'm not sure whats different on a '77."

 

I see. I'm sure others will chime in but I believe the '76 and '77 are pretty much the same car. But on the other hand, it's funny they would stop with the '76 if the '77 is the same configuration. Good luck.

 

The controls are the main difference. I am in the same predicament with my big block swap but my plan is to use the stock controls. There were a few different control types on the 77 from what I understand and that relates back to if it originally was equipped with the A-6 or the R-4 compressor. The 77 was a transition year and they were phasing out the old system and going towards the new system. Mine had the R-4 compressor and a traditional orifice tube with a pressure cycling switch to operate the system. If you still have all your evaporator case components, ducting, etc, you could easily just update your existing system with newer components and not buy a full system. FWIW, I'm planning on adapting a late model serpentine setup onto my big block and use a late model compressor, new style (parallel flow) condenser, and then use the factory controls for the rest. If you have an earlier production 77 with the POA or VIR style controls for the A/C, you may benefit to changing to the later production cycling switch style.

My formal training as a mechanic was through Ford, so the cycling switch system makes the most sense to me. As an engineer now, it still seems like the simplest solution for controlling the A/C system. I know this doesn't sound as easy as a kit solution, but if you work with a good A/C shop, you should be able to "custom" build a kit using mostly off the shelf parts. The only real custom part would be the A/C lines which the shop could make on site.

 

virtually all 77 on up had air. that's why vintage doesn't make a kit. your car still has air. you need to reinstall all the parts you removed and come up with brackets for the 454 for your compressor. if you tossed the parts, you need to replace them. the lines and condenser are vette only. could probably find compressor and brackets from a 77 pick up truck. diff compressor from the long huge 75 and earlier type. although you could probably use that type. and there were no 75-up big block vettes so it'll take a little fabbing. replacing the parts and hooking up the fact system you have is a TON cheaper and easier than doing vintage. that is a dash-out job...

 

I bought a Vintage Air kit for a 74. Sold the car before I installed it and ended up with a 77. The parts are the same except for the control head. I spent about a day installing the evaporator, condenser, and compressor with all the lines- and 2 weeks figuring out how to get the cables and wiring to work with the 77 dash control. End result- worked just fine. Would I do it again? No chance- I'd swap it all over to electric switches.

 

Thanks for all the replies. So even if I got the original model compressor (A-6 or R-4) wouldnt they require the use of R-12 refrigerant? If thats the case I think I would be better off getting a Vintage kit with electric control switches.

 

R-134 works fine in all R-12 compressors. Not quite as cold as 12 at idle.

 

Good to know, but arent there other things you have to change for the conversion?

 

no, just need the low pressure side adapter. don't even need the whole kit.