Classic Air

[AzPete]

Just ordered the Classic Air Perfect Fit system for my '66 Coupe. $1384.65 shipped to me. We in Fl. and Tx. have to pay tax since they have locations here. The rep did give me $20.00 (was $1404.64) off the shipping when I mentioned being retired Air Force. I joked about some discount for old age, military or something. He says how about a discount on shipping? Real good to deal with.

I took several weeks of calls to decide on the unit. One of the big reasons is that the Classic Air system is completely serviceable at the end user level. Other brands have the case glued together and must be returned to the company for service. Lots of good recommendations on line for the Classic unit too.

If all goes as planned....it will be installed on Labor Day weekend....and finished with a Wattles toast.

Getting A/C in time for winter....gotta love it.

[66gt350]

....and finished with a Wattles toast.

How do you get the bottle into the toaster???  :craz

[AzPete]

How do you get the bottle into the toaster???  :craz

First, you consume a few, then the bottle fits the toaster much better.......

[Dne']

Hey Pete! Congratulations! I have the classic air system too! I think it's a very nice setup! Lot's of little pieces/parts, just be organized. The tech service is very good/very helpful! Oh, one thing I'd like to get is the idle compensator, another 100bucks! lol I don't know if I'd be of any help to you, but if you do, let me know!

[AzPete]

Thanks. Been studying them for a while but it is nice to know someone who just did an install. One difference I do see is my setup will not use the idler pulley. The belt will be adjusted by moving the compressor and a double belt on the water pump and crank, one to the alt, one to the comp.

[guruatbol]

Pete, I think that is a 67/68 install....  I think....

It is different than the 65/66.  I have one of each and since the 65 doesn't have the AC, I don't think I will bother.  I want more horse power, then I may consider the AC.

Mel

[SELLERSRODSHOP]

Hey Pete! Congratulations! I have the classic air system too! I think it's a very nice setup! Lot's of little pieces/parts, just be organized. The tech service is very good/very helpful! Oh, one thing I'd like to get is the idle compensator, another 100bucks! lol I don't know if I'd be of any help to you, but if you do, let me know!

as far as the idle compensator, you might see if you can rig up one from an 83-85 GT carb. probably some of the other vehicles in those years had the same solenoid on their carbs.

pete, if you run into anything crazy on the install, let me know. i haven't done one of the mustang specific units, but have done a couple of the classic units & about 10-12 aftermaket a/c installs in other rods, so might be able to help.

[AzPete]

Well....the first possible negative.....will call in the am.

Got both boxes today. The compressor mount is labeled for a '67 with power steering. That means a 3 groove lower pulley (included) and the compressor sits farther forward from the head. I know we talked of a '66 with 351 heads. We also discussed the need for a 2 groove water pump pulley. This set up uses the idler pulley since the second belt would go for my non existent power steering. It also includes a dual pulley compressor that is not what the sales man told me. All of these parts come in one box (comp. separate) so I bet the man packing or the man taking the order just messed up.

[Dne']

Kind of a communication problem? Reminds me of the guard scene here! lol

[AzPete]

Talked with them this am. Seems the "kit" I received is the special one and someone did not make notes on the order as to the one I wanted. I could use either one but prefer to have a bit cleaner look as I have never liked the idler pulley since the one on my Dad's '72 F100. Just a thing for me...... Anyway, they are shipping me the proper mount and a return label. I also had to order a double water pump pulley since I could not find one used......

Still on track for the Labor Day weekend install.....except shopping for the beer ready.

[Dne']

Great Pete! Ah, I can feel the cold air now!!

[AzPete]

Great Pete! Ah, I can feel the cold air now!!

Yep, so can I. I have everything shipped to my daughters house since I am in an RV park. Just easier. When I got home, I told the wife that the car felt much cooler driving with the air conditioner in it.....With a confused look on her face, she says don't you have to install it first? It was funny......then she hit me.

[Dne']

First thing that comes to mind on something that I ran into during my install, keep in mind, there was nothing beneath my dash, motor wasn't in yet, so just the bare basics.  They give you a template that is used to place a firewall hole for mounting the evaporator case. I used it, made the hole, mounted the unit, but my windshield wipers weren't wired up yet, but looked like there was clearance~ wrong, when I finally made the wipers work, the arm underneath the dash hit on the unit, not bad bad, but would move the unit.  The hole drilled in the firewall really needed to come down only a fraction to avoid this issue. I had heater hoses all connected, ac lines, etc, I just had to 'adjust' some of the other support brakets and all is well.  you may not have a issue being a different year and all, but keep this in mind.
Mounting my compressor I did while my motor was on my engine stand, ideal for figuring out how to mount my compressor!

I'm anxious to see if you received the same type of defrost outlets, unless it's able to utilize your existing defrost diffusers. On mine, just had a difficult time getting the new flex hoses onto the defrost deals! but did ok.
I'll keep thinking~ :craz

I know your parts will mount differently, but I'm just posting for other's benefits and additional info.

[AzPete]

Just looked....mine came with all new defroster diffusers.

They sent me the same idler pulley setup as yours when I wanted the one using the water pump pulley. More waiting.....

Mine mounts thru the original hole that the heater motor came thru into the engine compartment. The only hole to be drilled is a drain hole for the inside unit. Then there are a couple of screws that go inside, up under the dash.

On the 65/66 cars, the heater motor actually stuck into the engine bay...you can see it here inj a previous car of mine just below the export brace and back of the shock tower.

[guruatbol]

Pete, you can get the correct idle compensator from Edelbrock.  $70 or so.

Mel

[AzPete]

So, they sent me the wrong compressor mount for what I ordered. No problem, I received the new one today. The attached pic is the two side by side.

The left one is a factory style that mounts to the head and uses the idler pulley for adjustment. It does not use the water pump pulley but does require a 3 grooved crank pulley and the a/c belt rides in the outer groove. The center groove is for power steering if you have it...which I do not. The idler pulley and bracket are what is in the plastic bag.

The bracket on the right side is the new style. It mounts to three head bolts and has one mount for the compressor on an adjustable type mount for belt tension. The top unit of the mount adjusts for and aft for proper belt alignment. This unit uses a double grooved crank and water pump pulley...one belt for each of the alt. and a/c.

I like the smaller, cleaner mount a whole lot more.

[gotstang]

That bracket looks like some nice fab work. Can't wait to see it all go in!

[miketyler]

Same here as I am converting all underhood to Sanden and Parallel Flow condensor. On another note I called Classic Air looking for the triangular shaped rubber evaporator grommet. This was the last piece to my factory AC box rebuild.

This little 2"x2" plug cost $30 shipped to my door and is a POOR replica of the original 1/2" thick Fomoco plug. If you are looking for this part for your AC plenum rebuild, dont buy it from them.

[Dne']

oh, that's a much nicer looking support! Mine is kind of frankenstein compared to your new one! however, I'm not taking mine back off for hopefully quite a while!!

[AzPete]

Mounted the compressor on the engine today. It went on real easy. It has a ton of adjustment available so that is a bit of a pain to line up. Once that is done, the belt will be measured and installed.

Doing little things to expedite the weekend install. Next will be removing the heater and getting it ready to sell.  One of these days I need to clean up the MSD wiring also plus relocate the coil.....soon......

[Dne']

Wow!  that looks really good  :10!!!! Much easier install than all the stuff I delt with!

[RyanG85]

I started out with the one on the left. I was not at all impressed with the fit and belt alignment, Classic offered to swap out for a newer version, probably the one you got. I decided to modify the one I had since I wanted it lower. It took alot of messing with to get acceptable belt alignment. Here is my reworked bracket after powder coating. The compressor sits about 3" lower.

[AzPete]

Nice work. You use only one bolt into the head? Also, the one on mine gets rid of the idler pulley completely. That is one thing I liked the look of.

[daveSanborn]

Pete,

The compressor mount you ended up using is the same one I ended up using on my son's '68.  It is a MUCH simpler design/install and after over 3 years of use it has needed no re-adjustment.  It's held it's initial adjustment/alignment since day one.

[RyanG85]

Mine uses 2 head bolts. I really like that new design and the elimination of the idler pulley. I just couldn't deal with the location being so high on the engine