Recommend an AC system for my 68 Barracuda

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MrJLR

MrJLR

Built, not bought
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I have a 1968 Barracuda that is a non-AC car - never had AC.
I went to the VintageAir website, went through the "Select make, year, model" routine, and they don't have a system for my vehicle. ......

What system would ya'll recommend? Link?
I'm in Southern California and I want a seriously insane amount of cooling....like for a school bus!!!!
Not kidding. .....I'm ALWAYS hot......I like serious AC.

Any ideas?!! Thanks in advance!

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Jeff
 
That's strange, I have a friend of mine who said he installed VintageAir on his 67 barracuda. Don't think a 68 should be that different. You might want to give Vintage Air a call to be sure.
 
Nothing fits like the factory stuff. Nothing. I cannot STAND Vintage Air stuff. The controls are chinsey, the boxes take up GOBS of room and none of the bracketry ever fits just right. I've installed several and they SUCK. Get the factory stuff, convert it to R134A and be happy.
 
I really can't help you with that question, but I think I found a condenser, that fits the Barracuda very good. Way better than the solution provided by a well know vendor and will work on original or aftermarket systems.
See post #210
1969 Barracuda Fastback
 
MrJLR said:
Thanks!
I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow morning!

Jeff
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I installed a classic auto air system in my 68 Barracuda. Nice modern compressor, all new under dash ac box.Everything went together fine.
The kit contains instructions and parts to change over your existing dash mounted ventilation controls to control the ac and the 3 speed fan. The down side is the names molded into the OE dash ventilation plate no longer match up to the actual function. But it is just a matter of remembering the middle position is AC through the new dash vents, full left is defrost full right is floor. IIRC
 
Here ya go! Basic kit that many people have said works great with the best part being it is 1/3rd the price.

It's the place I'm going use to get one for my car..

home
 
I installed a classic auto air kit and everything went together just as it should. There is a how to thread on installing one in a demon. It would give you an idea.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Nothing fits like the factory stuff. Nothing. I cannot STAND Vintage Air stuff. The controls are chinsey, the boxes take up GOBS of room and none of the bracketry ever fits just right. I've installed several and they SUCK. Get the factory stuff, convert it to R134A and be happy.
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Do you have any more info, or maybe a write-up on how to make factory air work and be dependable? I have factory in my 67 Valiant. I have no idea if it worked, but I'd like to refurbish it if possible versus using a vintage air or other aftermarket unit. Are parts available to service and rebuild it?
 
The King said:
Do you have any more info, or maybe a write-up on how to make factory air work and be dependable? I have factory in my 67 Valiant. I have no idea if it worked, but I'd like to refurbish it if possible versus using a vintage air or other aftermarket unit. Are parts available to service and rebuild it?
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Not other than just jumping in and making it happen. Are you saying that the factory system was somehow not dependable? They were pretty good. IMO, they fit the best and those old RV compressors were hard to beat.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Not other than just jumping in and making it happen. Are you saying that the factory system was somehow not dependable? They were pretty good. IMO, they fit the best and those old RV compressors were hard to beat.
Click to expand...

When I got my car, the compressor was removed and in the trunk and some of the lines were bent/pinched/broke. So i dont know the condition of all the components. Im all about jumping in and fixing it, but honestly this is the first I have thought about it. I have had other priorities, but this is working its way up the list!
 
The King said:
Do you have any more info, or maybe a write-up on how to make factory air work and be dependable? I have factory in my 67 Valiant. I have no idea if it worked, but I'd like to refurbish it if possible versus using a vintage air or other aftermarket unit. Are parts available to service and rebuild it?
Click to expand...
@Machmeter1 did a stellar build thread- his A/C refurb starts on page 8, post 186; although the entire thread is good reading.
1969 Barracuda Fastback | Page 8 | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum
 
The King said:
When I got my car, the compressor was removed and in the trunk and some of the lines were bent/pinched/broke. So i dont know the condition of all the components. Im all about jumping in and fixing it, but honestly this is the first I have thought about it. I have had other priorities, but this is working its way up the list!
Click to expand...

I would replace everything anyway and rebuild the under dash box. You can flush the condenser if it looks good with brake cleaner and compressed air. But I would replace compressor, drier, expansion valve and hoses. I don't like messin around worryin about gettin all the R12 oil out and all that mess. Just replace it all and be done with it.

Now, what you COULD do if you have all the factory stuff is use a Sanden compressor. They are more efficient and take less power to drive.....though now we're splittin hairs. But if you do that, I would run a REAL Sanden and not a knock off. Of course that requires modifying your bracket or getting a Sanden specific bracket. The rest of the Chrysler system is arguably superior to anything on the market. I like the RV compressor though and would simply find a good replacement.....or get a kit and rebuild what I had. They're not complicated at all.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I would replace everything anyway and rebuild the under dash box. You can flush the condenser if it looks good with brake cleaner and compressed air. But I would replace compressor, drier, expansion valve and hoses. I don't like messin around worryin about gettin all the R12 oil out and all that mess. Just replace it all and be done with it.

Now, what you COULD do if you have all the factory stuff is use a Sanden compressor. They are more efficient and take less power to drive.....though now we're splittin hairs. But if you do that, I would run a REAL Sanden and not a knock off. Of course that requires modifying your bracket or getting a Sanden specific bracket. The rest of the Chrysler system is arguably superior to anything on the market. I like the RV compressor though and would simply find a good replacement.....or get a kit and rebuild what I had. They're not complicated at all.
Click to expand...

I definitely agree to replace everything and rebuild the under dash. I was curious if parts were available (evap coil, etc). Where is a good source? Im sure parts stores would not have anything anymore. Do you have to go to a place like Classic Industries?

I also was actually preferring to go with a Sanden compressor anyway. Brackets are not an issue, as things will be somewhat hot rodded and custom anyway. I am not looking for a stock appearing engine. Is there a specific Sanden model number that you or other people seem to like?

Sorry if it seems like I'm just sitting here hoping to get handouts on the information. This entire project just started in my head a few hrs ago and I found this thread. Its getting late and I dont want to go down the rabbit hole of google anymore tonight! I do appreciate everything I've been given so far!
 
The King said:
I definitely agree to replace everything and rebuild the under dash. I was curious if parts were available (evap coil, etc). Where is a good source? Im sure parts stores would not have anything anymore. Do you have to go to a place like Classic Industries?

I also was actually preferring to go with a Sanden compressor anyway. Brackets are not an issue, as things will be somewhat hot rodded and custom anyway. I am not looking for a stock appearing engine. Is there a specific Sanden model number that you or other people seem to like?

Sorry if it seems like I'm just sitting here hoping to get handouts on the information. This entire project just started in my head a few hrs ago and I found this thread. Its getting late and I dont want to go down the rabbit hole of google anymore tonight! I do appreciate everything I've been given so far!
Click to expand...

508? I think is a popular Sanden number? Whichever one is most popular and not out of this world. But do be careful, as there are a LOT of really crappy ones. READ the fine print and steer clear of things like "Sanden type". Translation: "Fits where a Sanden does but is a total POS"

As far as replacement parts such as drier and whatnot, I always check my local big box stores first. Often they can get what you need with no stupid shipping charges involved.
 
The King said:
I definitely agree to replace everything and rebuild the under dash. I was curious if parts were available (evap coil, etc). Where is a good source? Im sure parts stores would not have anything anymore. Do you have to go to a place like Classic Industries?

I also was actually preferring to go with a Sanden compressor anyway. Brackets are not an issue, as things will be somewhat hot rodded and custom anyway. I am not looking for a stock appearing engine. Is there a specific Sanden model number that you or other people seem to like?

Sorry if it seems like I'm just sitting here hoping to get handouts on the information. This entire project just started in my head a few hrs ago and I found this thread. Its getting late and I dont want to go down the rabbit hole of google anymore tonight! I do appreciate everything I've been given so far!
Click to expand...

That's why this site is here. To help others.
 
I did the vintage Air in a 65 GTO and it works okay.. it went in okay.. when I called to ask him how many BTUs they couldn't even answer they just said it it works good...
I have a thread in the heating and cooling part of the Forum installing the cold Master 22,000 BTU system in my Duster... A year ago it was only $480 to my door. After several calls to them and they answered the phone and I talked to the gentleman named Omar.. they offered good customer service and any questions I had the answer fully..
 
scatpackbee said:
The Classic Auto Air Perfect Fit system comes with a “Sanden style” compressor, not an genuine Sanden compressor.
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The Classic Auto Air web site states that the kits come with a Sanden brand compressor. The Classic Auto Air kit that I installed came with a Sanden compressor.
 
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