Help - Questions about air con

Ok, so im hoping to buy a van shortly (today if im lucky) and i have to put A/C on it as im going to be usng it as my daily

Now i was thinking of getting a complete WB stato and converting everything over etc etc but that would take way to long so i thought it would be quicker and easier to fit one of the old school style under dash jobs

there's these kits for $910
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNDER-DASH-AIR-CON-KIT-/260859196339?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbc6b73b3
they need brackets and pipes but seem like it would be a fairly simple fit

I assume, that it's as simple as fitting it all in with brackets and piping and wire it up (anyone know for sure?)

Then i saw this for $825
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HOLDEN-HQ-HX-HZ-WB-A-C-COMPRESSOR-/260871649152?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbd297780
Now i wouldnt actually need this would i? It's just if i need to replace a factory system that i would need this one right?!

Since it's a van and i would be fitting an archway i wouldnt really need a huge compressor would i exspecially if im putting a door (kind of) on the arch

I should be able to get one of these
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AIR-CON-A-C-UNDER-DASH-CHEV-FORD-HOLDEN-VALIANT-/380386328053?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5890cabdf5
and get my own compressor/receiver/dryer etc?

whats peoples thoughts

you must be a shift worker to be up that early thinking about this , anyway here is my twobobs, worth unless you know what your doing I would steer clear of buying parts seperatly that old holden compressor never was any good and is old school stuff unless your building a original sandman .find out what it cost to get it done in a shop then find out how much the parts are to do yourself and you still have to go to the shop to get it gassed and he'll charge "all care taken but no responsiblilty" so if there is a problem you go home and fix it ,you will soon wish you just paid to have the lot done at once and you get a warranty.

I'd look at something like Vintage Air which is what the hot rodders use.

A mate of mine is fitting Vintage Air into his tonner it has everything you need after he showed me I thought it is the only way to go.

Regards Tony.

"leave em"wanting more!

i had the old Goodmans HQ stepside tonner with the 3 inch roof chop that i bought in the late 80s and it had the old under dash air that would totally freeze the cabin on a 42degree day

Since you can now buy the brand new i figure that it cant e that had to fit one. The van im getting is bench seat and plan on keeping that way so it seems the best option

I have agood mate that i also a GM specialist and registered A/C designer ( ) so ill get him to help sort it but i wanted to know if anyone has fitted one of the old systems themself

Bowtie383 wrote:A mate of mine is fitting Vintage Air into his tonner it has everything you need after he showed me I thought it is the only way to go.

You know what it all cost or a link to the kit he's using?

I got in contact with him and he got it from TCR Components in Victoria,www.tcrcomponents.com.au he said they are cheaper then Rocket Industries and good guys to deal with.
Just tell them what it is going into and they will give you the right advice.

Regards Tony.

"leave em"wanting more!

sweet, thanks

try this one, just connect it to your face vents, i have one for our van
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/holden-hq-hz-hj-wb-air-conditioner-/120813222821?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c21077ba5

is type, so you just run piping to your factory vents?

would it fit uder the dash of a WB? - Anyone?

ours goes under the dash on the hump, pipes run to the vents and you use your existing heater for heat, demist ect. just get an air con place to check your joints seal ok and gas it for you, if you run a later compressor ect. it will already be set up for the new gas, most older ones ran on r12, not sure if it is still available

so it's pretty much just connect the compressor, head unit , condenser and receive/dryer all together and power it up then?

does yours use bulkhead connectors?

double check this advice I'm about to sprout...

I was advised once that you can add a die to the unit, then filling with compressed air to find any leaks. The die will help find where the leak is.

If you go get the gas filled and find a leak, it will need to be refilled after the leak is found. In the end it could get refilled 2 or 3 times before fixed. Not cheap.

R12 is an Ozone depleting substance and was banned from importation when Moses was a Boy.

Some people have kept a small stock for themselves, but it's worth more than Gold if and that's a BIG IF you can get it.

The Dye is used to check for leaks in Systems that are Charged and Operational.

We use Compressed Dry Nitrogen to Pressure Test before Charging.

We use Bubble Up leak detectors sprayed on the outside of all joints.

The System has to hold Pressure for a predetermined time - the longer left the better.

It has to be Evacuated and hold Vacuum for a predetermined time. Evacuation time is dependant on the System Volume, but is fairly minimal in Auto.

If all passes then you can Charge it.

At least that is how Reputable People are supposed to do it.

There are R12 replacement Gases that can be used directly, but not mixed directly.

.... and remember "Oils aint Oils Sol!" You need the correct Compressor Oil to suit the Refrigerant.

Your Equipment needs to be sized for the Job it has to do at a minimum and selected for the Gas it will be using.

Hope that helps.

NOTE: in NSW Licenced Automotive Repairer's Qualified to Service Automotive Airconditioning will have it endorsed on their MVRIC Licence.