Old Air in a '66 ?

[AzPete]

I am researching modern style A/C for my '66. Talked for some time with Old Air yesterday and had a question the guy didn't seem to figure out. Got their instruction e-mailed to me and one thing they state is to remove both fresh air vents and cap them. Asked why the drivers side and all I got was because......or maybe it is not necessary. Hmmmm. Makes me wonder about the entire setup.....

Now, in looking at their setup, it appears that one could possible get by with not capping the passenger side based on how their unit sits closer to the tranny hump in the car. What I would like to see is a picture of the passenger side vent area from the viewed under the dash with the Old Air unit installed. There might be a control valve in the way but it is had to tell wihtout an installed pic.

If the vent was able to still be used, I could install a cable controlled system like the drivers side uses.

Anyone else looking here.....what A/C did you find was good? Yes, I read all the past discussions........

[Daves72]

I just went with a Classic Auto Air in my 72. The kit doesn't have a provision for use of the fresh air system either. We capped the passenger side on the 72 as it wasn't of use as far as plumbing went, and I didn't have a way to close it.. Under the old system, it would feed into the passenger vent and the driver side would feed the driver vent. I was fine with capping the passenger side as it couldn't be operated otherwise. The driver side had the cable in place, so I could close it, so we left it in place. The CAA kit will freeze you out of the car on a 95 degree plus day. YMMV

[daveSanborn]

Asked why the drivers side and all I got was because......or maybe it is not necessary. Hmmmm. Makes me wonder about the entire setup.....

The Old Air Products AC box has no provision to use outside air... it only recirculates cabin air.  My guess is the reason they want the driver side sealed off is to further the sealing of the cabin.  IMO, if the drivers side fresh air vent is working properly, I see no reason why it would have to be sealed off.

one could possible get by with not capping the passenger side

No, you'd have to cap the passenger side.  Since their heater/AC box does not connect to the "hat", how would you stop/control air from constantly coming in through the cowl?  Their heater/AC box sits up pretty close to the "hat"... maybe with an inch or so of clearance.  You'd have to design an extremely low profile fresh air vent box/control system.  It would be the exact same way with the Classic Air system as the two heater/AC boxes are almost (if not) identical.

What steered me completely away from the Old Air Products system was the design of their control system.  With Classic Air you can use an OE AC panel.  With Old Air, you had to use the OE heater panel and "find" the AC microswitch as it's somewhere between heat and defrost.


Pete, my recommendation is to use the Classic Air system.


Is your engine a 289 or 302?  Be careflul in this area for if you order a kit for a '66 Mustang.... and your FEAD is slightly different for the 302 engine... some of the kit supplied bracketry to mount the AC Comp may not fit straight out of the kit/box.  Not to fear though as Classic Air bent over backwards for me to get the correct bracketry at no additional charge.

[AzPete]

According to the tech I talked to, the passenger side has clearance for a full size tube to drop straight down. It does not fit like Classic or Vintage blocking the vent hole. They are supposed to send me a picture of the area in question with the A/C installed.

I figure I could modify the drivers side vent system and mount it on the passenger side to give the option of fresh air in cool weather.

I am leaning away from them on every conversation.....seems they have to confer on any question.

Now, why Classic vs Vintage?

This engine is a 302 block, built to 289 specs with 351 heads. All the front looks close to stock 289 stuff.

[daveSanborn]

They are supposed to send me a picture of the area in question with the A/C installed.

Unless it's an "under dash" unit, I don't see how this is possible.  I'd like to see pictures also.

This engine is a 302 block, built to 289 specs with 351 heads. All the front looks close to stock 289 stuff.

If you're using 351 heads on a 302, you're probably going to need the AC Comp mount for a 351W, not a 302.  It gets more complicated when you're running a PS pump.  Run this through the techs to ensure you get the correct brackets/comp mount.  Again, Classic Air proved to me that they're #1 in the aftermarket AC business.  I could count on the techs to actually understand the install process and provide immediate relief whenever I called with questions.

[AzPete]

Just talked with Classic. They provide the proper brackets for my combination with no problem. Sounds good so far. Talked with Vintage too. Seemed ok but not as detailed orientated as Classic.

On the Old Air unit, I cannot get the pic. to copy from the pdf deal they sent me. Basically, the unit behind the dash fits from the tranny hump to about the glove box latch button. The air intake is towards the kick panel. That leaves the area from the glove box latch button to the kick panel open. The unit does hang down further being it is not as long.

Found this...

[tarafied1]

do any of these sell the parts separately? I only ask since I have a 70 429 so the SBF stuff won't work for the compressor.

[AzPete]

Call Classic Air and talk to their tech dept. They sounded like they knew their stuff and are more than willing to help. This is after several conversations with all of them.

[Daves72]

I am leaning away from them on every conversation.....seems they have to confer on any question.

Now, why Classic vs Vintage?

Exactly! When I was making the decision on who to buy from, it stacked up as you later posted. Classic knew exactly what you were asking and what you needed. Vintage wasn't as sharp and Old Air was just air IMHO.

From my web searching, the Classic kit is supposed to have better output, and get colder, as well as the convenience of having pieces or parts all the way to the whole enchilada available as you need. They seem to have the process down pat, have a great product at a good price, and are good to deal with.

[Fast68back]

On the Old Air unit, I cannot get the pic. to copy from the pdf deal they sent me.

Send it to me, I'll post it...