AC restoration or vintage air?

[booyaballer]

My recent plan was to refurbish my steering column and redo my electrical wiring with an AAW kit so I removed the column and dash. So of course when I saw the heater box so accessible, I figured I might as well rebuild that too. The snowball effect is picking up speed and would like some advice to redirect it.

Thanks to this forum I learned that my 70 Challenger was an AC car which I had no idea until i posted a photo of my "heater box." Apparently my car was setup in a AC delete configuration.

So if i want to restore my car to functioning AC, I will have to get a condenser, compressor, water valve, certainly other miscellaneous parts, and ensure that my heater core and evaporator work.

So it begs my question, will the cost to restore it be worth it or comparable to a new vintage air system which currently seems to cost about $2,500?

Thoughts? anyone else address the same dilemma?

Thanks!

 

[topknot]

man theres a guy near me selling his ac from his late 60s dodge for 100$ if yo could find a deal like that I think you would be further ahead.

 

[Challenger RTA]

There is a change coming to refrigerant. That might be the biggest factor in cost to AC replacement or repair. Phasing out of refrigerants.

Several alternatives are being considered to replace R-134A, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. Here, we’ll examine the most prominent contenders:

​

R-1234yf is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) that has gained significant attention as a successor to R-134A, especially in the automotive sector. It has a GWP of just 4, which is a dramatic reduction compared to R-134A. Research cost, availability and later recharge.
Just a heads up.

Benefits of R-1234yf:

• Drastically lower GWP, making it environmentally friendly.
• Similar thermodynamic properties, facilitating easier transitions in existing systems.

Despite its benefits, R-1234yf raises concerns regarding flammability. However, industry standards are being developed to manage this risk effectively.
Several alternatives are being considered to replace R-134A, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. Here, we’ll examine the most prominent contenders:

​

R-1234yf is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) that has gained significant attention as a successor to R-134A, especially in the automotive sector. It has a GWP of just 4, which is a dramatic reduction compared to R-134A.

Benefits of R-1234yf:

• Drastically lower GWP, making it environmentally friendly.
• Similar thermodynamic properties, facilitating easier transitions in existing systems.

Despite its benefits, R-1234yf raises concerns regarding flammability. However, industry standards are being developed to manage this risk effectively.
Several alternatives are being considered to replace R-134A, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. Here, we’ll examine the most prominent contenders:

​

R-1234yf is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) that has gained significant attention as a successor to R-134A, especially in the automotive sector. It has a GWP of just 4, which is a dramatic reduction compared to R-134A.

Benefits of R-1234yf:

• Drastically lower GWP, making it environmentally friendly.
• Similar thermodynamic properties, facilitating easier transitions in existing systems.

Despite its benefits, R-1234yf raises concerns regarding flammability. However, industry standards are being developed to manage this risk effectively.

 

[heminut]

The question you should ask yourself is do you prefer to keep things original or do you prefer to have a system that works better than the factory stuff. That should give you your answer.

 

[booyaballer]

Thanks for the information on the refrigerant.

I'm not that concerned with originality.

thanks.

 

[EV2RTSE]

Original under hood e-body a/c suction & discharge lines aren't the easiest thing to find if yours are missing, especially if you have a big block. Otherwise the other parts are still readily available. RV2 compressors are happiest running R12. You can still find it on places like Facebook marketplace, not cheap but something to consider in your decision. An original system can be made to work very well, with ice cold air.

Otherwise just get the conversion compressor kit which also has its advantages, less weight, uses less HP, etc.

 

[Xcudame]

Call Vintage Air. I'm pretty sure they sell a kit the will work with your factory AC dash and switch over to the more modern rotary compressor that uses a double v-belt pulley like original.