Re: Aftermarket AC

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 5 Apr 2005 fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Tom, thanks for the photos; So, you routed the V-belt around the compressor, the water pump, and an add-on idler?

The idler is a standard 258 part; what I did was to flip it around
to go ABOVE the water neck, instead of BELOW. The factory position
puts the fan belt within 1/4" of the water pump pulley. THat's not
a problem; but on the older 232 the water neck (thermostat
housing) and stock upper hose is right in the way. By flipping the
bracket the pulley moves up a few inches (a slight increase in
human hazard) and goes over the water neck. You then need to get
the "?"-shaped upper hose to clear. It's been in place for a year
and working perfectly.  The A/C belt of course is different; I
have the part number at home, I'll update the web page "soon".

> I have power steering, low on the passenger side, and I was thinking that it may be best to use that in conjunction with a 3rd point somehow.  I'd have to find a 2-groove PS pulley, but I'm not sure that I can get it down to the balancer without interference.  I haven't got the parts yet, hopefully this week or next, so still speculating.

Yup, my Rambler has no P.S. It helps! :-) The idler though helps
route the belt around other things.

> For an evaporator, many are wanting to sell me a dual-evap system.  I don't distrust their reasoning, that a single evap won't cool down the back of a station wagon, but I really don't want to go that way.  Most of the AC shops don't or won't rate their evap units for BTU's or fan/flow rate, so it's hard to compare/get a large capacity unit.  I figure to get the largest/highest capacity front cool-only unit and that will suffice.  It should keep the front cool.  I don't have kids - just the wife and I - so am not totally concerned with keeping the rear to the same standard as the front seat.

I just went with reputable, eg. Vintage Air, and will accept the
results too :-)


> Another item is the alternator output. I have the stock setup, and the "alt" light faintly glows when I have the headlights on.  Figure to upgrade that.  I think stock is 37 amps or so.  Advance Auto has a 61 amp unit new w/lifetime warranty for ~$35.  I'm thinking of getting that and a new voltage regulator.

But the A/C system consumes fanbelt power, not electrical; there's
a fan running, so it's no worse than winter time with the
heater/fan on. Unless you have an electric radiator fan of course,
but that's an issue by itself.  The Sanden clutch doesn't draw
much current, I'm guessing, 5 amps.

> I've also ordered a new radiator, 3 row max cooling, for a '79 V8 Spirit.  I have a '82 Spirit radiator in it now so I know it fits as the original did.  Should be here soon.

THat's a good idea! I still have the two-row radiator, but it's 10
yrs old and needs replacing, probably this spring. I guess it should
be 3-row...