How good is A/C in 68-72 models?
12-09-2018, 10:55 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
How good is A/C in 68-72 models?
As I continue my search for a chrome bumper c3, I'm curious to know what everyone's opinion is about A/C. I live in the South and A/C has been a requirement of mine when searching. Lately I've started to wonder just how good the A/C is in this old of a car to make it a requirement. I mean, I have passed up looking at a lot of cars due to them not having A/C and I'm wondering if I shouldn't have.
Does A/C work well in these cars? Is it problematic? Should I make it a requirement?
I know is up to me to decide, but I would hate to make it a requirement and then learn that the A/C in these model years doesn't offer much and it wasn't worth it after all.
Thanks in advance,
Keith
Does A/C work well in these cars? Is it problematic? Should I make it a requirement?
I know is up to me to decide, but I would hate to make it a requirement and then learn that the A/C in these model years doesn't offer much and it wasn't worth it after all.
Thanks in advance,
Keith
12-09-2018, 11:14 PM
#2
Racer
I have a new(er) compressor in my car, but it's still an OEM part. My AC blows cold when I turn it on, and continues to blow cold until I turn it off. That said, each car is a little different.
12-10-2018, 12:11 AM
#3
Safety Car
The AC in my 1970 was disconnected when I bought the car. I put it all back together and converted it to a134 a couple years ago. The AC will keep the car cold on a 100 degree day.
12-10-2018, 07:10 AM
#5
if my 72 didn't have a/c i wouldn't own it , so i understand why its a priority for you . mine is original converted to 134 and it does a good job keeping me cool on hot florida days. i did upgrade the blower motor and that was a big improvement. if you are expecting it to freeze you out , and the air coming out the vents to blow your hat off like a modern car it won't. mine is a bb and its very comfortable driving on 95+ degree days
12-10-2018, 09:24 AM
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: altered state
Posts: 81,242
Received 3,043 Likes
on
2,602 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05
If you found THE car that didnt have it, just add vintage AC.
12-10-2018, 10:25 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
I did not attempt to do anything to the a/c in my '72 til about 14 years after I bought it, who knows how long before that it had been used. I put a belt on the compressor, replaced the blower with a C4, replaced one schrader valve, pulled the vacuum, fed it with R12, and wowie, works like a champ! Yippee!
12-10-2018, 03:54 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
If you search the web, you'll see things like the nose of the car is so low that the condenser is too small and limits the cooling capacity. My logic is , you are cooling the smallest passenger compartment in automotive history. Never heard anyone with a working A/C say they wish they didn't have it.
12-10-2018, 06:22 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Factory unrestored R12 system in my 69 427 convertible freezes me out of the car with the top and windows up on a 90 degree day. I have to turn down the fan to low most of the time.
Gary
Gary
12-10-2018, 08:06 PM
#11
Racer
Always wondered myself how good the A/C would work. I’ve owned my 72 for 10 years now and all my components are there but the A/C is inoperative. I just assumed it probably wasn’t worth fixing considering the heat the car generates inside and how hard the A/C would have to work to overcome that heat. Based on this thread it appears it can quite nicely. Having said that though I think I’ll just leave it alone. Don’t like the feeling of driving my car with the windows up. I live in Virginia so yes it gets plenty hot but I like the open feeling and being able to hear the car. This is by no way meant to disrespect anyone who likes using the A/C just my personal preference. It is nice to know that our systems work very well and thank you for that information. Always wondered.
12-10-2018, 08:40 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Hig
Understand your concern. Find the car and worry about ac which can be done aftermarket for around $1700. A friend bought a 69 427/390 and added ac and it cools about like my 69 350 with factory ac. I wanted factory ac in my car because I was sure I could make it work and I live in Texas. Wanted things to look as factory delivered. Really was not hard to get the nonfunctioning factory ac working. As I recall, 427 with ac was not an option in 1969. 350 no problem. But if you want a 427 with ac I can attest aftermarket (vintage) works.
Having said the above, flipping on the ac in my vette is such fun, although you can really feel the drag, having factory ac functioning is worth a lot in my opinion.
VERYSOON
Understand your concern. Find the car and worry about ac which can be done aftermarket for around $1700. A friend bought a 69 427/390 and added ac and it cools about like my 69 350 with factory ac. I wanted factory ac in my car because I was sure I could make it work and I live in Texas. Wanted things to look as factory delivered. Really was not hard to get the nonfunctioning factory ac working. As I recall, 427 with ac was not an option in 1969. 350 no problem. But if you want a 427 with ac I can attest aftermarket (vintage) works.
Having said the above, flipping on the ac in my vette is such fun, although you can really feel the drag, having factory ac functioning is worth a lot in my opinion.
VERYSOON
12-10-2018, 09:17 PM
#14
Racer
Bought a brand new base engine, auto Vette convertible in 1970 and had to wear a helmet while driving...the A.C. blew chunks of ice out the vents. Okay, that's some b.s.. but the car was a pleasure to drive on any summer day anywhere in Texas.
Attoyac
Attoyac
12-11-2018, 10:03 AM
#15
Safety Car
a fourth to 2/3rds of corvettes from 68 to 72 had A/C depending on year. so that percentage of cars will have A/C. then see how many have been removed, not working, barely working, then you are probably in the less than 25% range that might have a working A/C.
add in the number of cars that might have good seals in the firewall and windows and you really have a rare car with a working, efficient A/C.
this is all merely stated to show you that you will struggle in your search to find a car that meets your requirements. just go out and buy the best car you can find..
add in the number of cars that might have good seals in the firewall and windows and you really have a rare car with a working, efficient A/C.
this is all merely stated to show you that you will struggle in your search to find a car that meets your requirements. just go out and buy the best car you can find..
12-11-2018, 11:09 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Although the 1969 brochure indicates a/c not available for 427 I find 427/390hp cars to be listed with factory a/c. Just wanted to make that correction. I was curious as to why GM would not offer a/c on the 390 horse 427 and found that they did!
Having seen and used the vintage install it really does look pretty factory inside the cockpit.
VS
Having seen and used the vintage install it really does look pretty factory inside the cockpit.
VS
12-11-2018, 11:31 AM
#17
Melting Slicks
Agree!
IMHO, Vintage Air will cool better than the original A6 compressor and a/c setup in the early C3's. Also plan on upgrading your radiator to DeWitts. You could bake cookies on the console in my big block 68 in the Louisiana summertime even after sealing all air leaks; installed Vintage Air and all is good!!! Check Vintage Air website for downloadable PDF instructions and do it yourself. And if you install Vintage Air you can look at any Corvette for possible purchase. Really makes me wonder how we survived w/o a/c in cars in the sixties?? dang, get this car moving, so we can get some air!!! and who would roll the windows up in the summertime? unless it was raining.
12-11-2018, 12:19 PM
#18
Team Owner
When new, the early C3 cars cooled down VERY well. In fact, the A/C system has much more capacity than is needed for that small interior....IF the proper 'heat rejection' methods are used (as were in the car when new). I have a Vintage Air system in my other 'hobby' car and it is fine...but it does not have the cooling capacity that the early C3 cars had when new.
If you have an early C3 car with factory A/C, your best approach would be to get the original system working as it should. An alternate approach would be to convert the factory A/C system to a 134a system with just the compressor/upgrade kit. A poor third approach would be to install a complete Vintage Air system in a factory A/C car.
If you have an early C3 car with factory A/C, your best approach would be to get the original system working as it should. An alternate approach would be to convert the factory A/C system to a 134a system with just the compressor/upgrade kit. A poor third approach would be to install a complete Vintage Air system in a factory A/C car.
Last edited by 7T1vette; 12-11-2018 at 12:23 PM.
