1969 Barracuda Fastback
Parallel flow condenser:
To the best of my knowledge, when converting to R134a the "general" rule for choosing an AC condenser is "the bigger the better". Since I wanted to use the original condenser mounting holes, in-, and outlet on opposite sites (like original), choices were limited and the search time-consuming.
Measurements for the original mounting holes are:
25,7” (center of the hole – passenger to driver side)
6.89” (passenger side – center lower to center upper hole)
9.25” (driver side – center lower to center upper hole)
Through a small but fine shop with great customer service, I acquired this condenser CN 21004C (polarbearinc.com). I like to buy parts at small businesses, they are usually customer orientated and more flexible. Gretchen from Polar Bear, Inc. for example is a great person to deal with.
The condenser fits more or less perfectly on the Barracuda. I only had to enlarge two holes on the new condenser, otherwise, the condenser frame lines up nicely with the original mounting holes. I spray painted the front of the condenser with a very thin layer of semi gloss black.
Some well-known aftermarket AC providers have poorly engineered, overpriced solutions, with ugly mounting straps and complicated installation procedures, where you have to remove the radiator in order to install the condenser - insane and not well thought out at all.
For installation, I used hardened M5 bolts with lock nuts and nylon bushings (just painted them black). Removing the hood latch support panel took 5 minutes and provided easy access for installation - quite satisfied with my simple solution.
Parallel flow condenser:
To the best of my knowledge, when converting to R134a the "general" rule for choosing an AC condenser is "the bigger the better". Since I wanted to use the original condenser mounting holes, in-, and outlet on opposite sites (like original), choices were limited and the search time-consuming.
Measurements for the original mounting holes are:
25,7” (center of the hole – passenger to driver side)
6.89” (passenger side – center lower to center upper hole)
9.25” (driver side – center lower to center upper hole)
Through a small but fine shop with great customer service, I acquired this condenser CN 21004C (polarbearinc.com). I like to buy parts at small businesses, they are usually customer orientated and more flexible. Gretchen from Polar Bear, Inc. for example is a great person to deal with.
The condenser fits more or less perfectly on the Barracuda. I only had to enlarge two holes on the new condenser, otherwise, the condenser frame lines up nicely with the original mounting holes. I spray painted the front of the condenser with a very thin layer of semi gloss black.
Some well-known aftermarket AC providers have poorly engineered, overpriced solutions, with ugly mounting straps and complicated installation procedures, where you have to remove the radiator in order to install the condenser - insane and not well thought out at all.
For installation, I used hardened M5 bolts with lock nuts and nylon bushings (just painted them black). Removing the hood latch support panel took 5 minutes and provided easy access for installation - quite satisfied with my simple solution.
