Chevy Van A/C kit

Not quite sure how my name got in this but I have been looking at this setup.

http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/700800-series-ac-systems/cap-700hc/ac-system-p-4366.html

600.00 at ac shop ???? my god you can go buy a a/c crimper you run down with a impac gun.chargeing no big deal either buy the cans fuiger out the how many pounds either charge it or pull a vacume with a vacume pump then charge it.i would say being new no worries about moisture in system and most imporation pag oil the system befor you charge it.

quote "DanTheVanMan": Not quite sure how my name got in this but I have been looking at this setup.

Dan, you seem to get drug into everything!

I don't know all the specifics as to ratings and BTU stuff. I have the Hurricane 2000 as seen here: http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/hurricane-ac-systems/universal-hurricane-systems-cable-operated-c-1_32000000_120131979_120131981.html . I did opt for the optional condenser with an electric fan.

Very cool Carl!!!
Better to be drug-in than left-out I guess...

donivan65 wrote:Peter, you should of taken a picture of your password,,,,,,

You got that right. Hope all is well. Any events coming up?

donivan65 wrote:Well,,,,,the Evaporator absorbs the heat and the Condenser removes it. And they have different ratings as to how much they can do. The Condenser we used is a double flow. I think DanTheVanMan should find out the BTU ratings of the Chevy system and the price of each so we could buy any piece if we wanted to. Do you have the rating of yours? The CFM of the fan would make a difference also.

Of course I'm interested in finding out more about putting AC in our vans! Who wouldn't? That's why I was asking you for more info. I guess the correct term would not be dragged but "Volunteered" I guess....

No biggie, maybe something was lost in the interpretation. I was asking You for any info you had. That's all... But if you are still working on this and would like some help I would be more than happy to help if your asking.

Dan

I'm sure I made a post here previously, because I'm finding this whole exchange funny, but the post is gone. I apologize if I offended anyone by interpreting the exchange as light-hearted humor. No offense was intended. This thread is amazing though, as I am learning about AC suited for our earlies!

No worries Corey. Just trying to get the thread back on track..

Dan

Corey,
Hears the one I've been looking at:

http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/700800-series-ac-systems/cap-700hc/ac-system-p-4366.html

AC System
[CAP-700HC]



$935.00
Complete Heat & Cool In Dash A/C System w/top duct outlets
AC System

Dimensions: Length 16", Height 5-1/2", Depth 11-1/2"

It replaces the heating unit completely so it would be a matter of fitment. My concerns are with the Depth of 11-1/2" How much space in available where your stock unit is in a Econo?

I sent them an email asking if it was possible to get a unit with the hose fitting pointed down without just adding elbows. I was also concerned about the hose outlets pointing up but seems to be enough room to run the hoses without any issues. Everything else seems to measure up pretty well. Hopefully I will hear from them early next week.

Dan

I looked at their different options... very cool... trunk-mounted ones for the hotrodders that want to keep the interior clean? That could be an option for us vanners... rear AC / heater combo? Hmmm... now I'm thinking that a unit behind the drivers seat, with ducting up the wall and aimed across the van above the drivers vent window and one aimed similarly in the rear... maybe a floor duct aimed under the drivers seat and another at the rear floor?

For an ideal under-dash model in our earlies, I suspect coolant and refrigerant ports on the unit should be located downward from the bottom of the unit to remove depth and accommodate our factory plumbing through the floor better,

I suspect that the Econoline dashes are much shallower than the Chev and Mopar dashes... I would guess that it would take some fiddling to install an under-dash unit such as this. The 65-67 Heater unit in the Econolines are maybe 8" deep from the inlet by the headlight.

Question... although this started as a Chev question, it would seem the technology is really universal... I wonder if it might warrant placement in the General Between the Seats Category?

VERY COOL!
And that's what it all about!!!

Looks like a nice conversion, Don.

Just wondering... the condenser gets mounted behind the battery box... does it suck air from below and blow it up towards the floor?

$2600 for the whole conversion... too bad these vans didn't come with factory A/C option to begin with...

PS-Nice looking '70 108... For some reason I had it in my head that '69 was the last year for the second gen. Guess I'm corrected now!

Well, not to mention that the doghouse tends to put more heat into the "cabin" than a front or rear engine sedan, coupe, or truck would experience.

Kind of curious how this topic died out. Has there been updates to anyone installing any of these units and how well they cooled?

I think the biggest issue for me is mounting the compressor on an I6 250... haven't seen any pictures of that or info if it could handle it. Here in Alabama with 100+ temps and normally 90-100% humidity this is a must for the wife hauling the 4 kids.

Compressor mounting ideas? Move alternator up and compressor below it? I know it will take custom brackets but the passenger side just seems to have too much in the way, coolant hose and oil filter.

Matt, some of the late 60's & early 70's Chevy trucks had A/C with the 250's. Might be an option worth researching.

Dan

Thanks Dan.

Did you ever install a unit? What were the results if you did?

Nope, Never did but the though and hope to do it someday never leaves my mind. But given the configuration of our vans it is hard without causing overheating issues like Don said. A higher capacity radiator and installing a remote condenser would be the key to a successful install. Tunneling the DH and having all electric fans kind of goes without saying. But yeah, lose the mechanical fan!

Dan