65 Barracuda A/C in a 66 Dart?

[MonkeyTrev]

So I bought this gold 65 barracuda last year for $500 bucks just for the A/C system and the power steering. I might be interested in selling other parts off the car later. The car is not worth saving. The frame rails from torsion bar crossmember forward is Swiss cheese.

I recently located this 66 dart and I’m talking with the owner now. He wants 2500 for the car.

Would the A/C system from the barracuda fit a 66 dart? I mean obviously the engine components will swap over but what about the under dash unit?

 

[Professor Fate]

It can be done, but there are a few issues to contend with.
1.) The firewall is slightly different between AC and non-AC cars. Not insurmountable, but if you know ahead of time it will save a bunch of head scratching.
2.) Rebuild parts for the factory compressor have all but dried up (let alone updated parts to run 32a. Open the wallet wide if you have to stick with Freon).
Service parts (filter/drier, hard lines, etc.) are nonexistent.
Looks like it's missing the belt idler and bracket, which is necessary and tough to source. Also all the drive pulleys.
3.) Heater and heater/AC boxes are different (thus the difference in firewalls). Not sure if there's a difference in the dash due to the controls; but the dashes (and possibly gauges? You'd have to live with Barracuda dash trims in a Dart) will swap between the two with minimal issues since the VIN isn't on the dash in those years- it's on the door jamb. May also be differences in the wiring harnesses.

 

[MonkeyTrev]

It can be done, but there are a few issues to contend with.
1.) The firewall is slightly different between AC and non-AC cars. Not insurmountable, but if you know ahead of time it will save a bunch of head scratching.
2.) Rebuild parts for the factory compressor have all but dried up (let alone updated parts to run 32a. Open the wallet wide if you have to stick with Freon).
Service parts (filter/drier, hard lines, etc.) are nonexistent.
Looks like it's missing the belt idler and bracket, which is necessary and tough to source. Also all the drive pulleys.
3.) Heater and heater/AC boxes are different (thus the difference in firewalls). Not sure if there's a difference in the dash due to the controls; but the dashes (and possibly gauges? You'd have to live with Barracuda dash trims in a Dart) will swap between the two with minimal issues since the VIN isn't on the dash in those years- it's on the door jamb. May also be differences in the wiring harnesses.

Might just look at adding a vintage air unit if I decide I want A/C.

 

[junkyardhero]

Not sure if there's a difference in the dash due to the controls; but the dashes (and possibly gauges? You'd have to live with Barracuda dash trims in a Dart) will swap between the two with minimal issues since the VIN isn't on the dash in those years- it's on the door jamb. May also be differences in the wiring harnesses.

i think, but not 100% certain, that the dart and barracuda dash frame is different. somewhat like dart/duster standard dash vs. rally dash. the holes for the gauges make the difference.

 

[Darter6]

Might just look at adding a vintage air unit if I decide I want A/C.

Not to deter you from factory A/C ,it may cost more than doing Vintage Air. I did Vintage for the Sanden compressor . It is also heat and a/c.
Sorry for the crappy photo. I have no idea what my under hood photo disappeared to. Just a thought.

 

[MonkeyTrev]

Not to deter you from factory A/C ,it may cost more than doing Vintage Air. I did Vintage for the Sanden compressor . It is also heat and a/c.
Sorry for the crappy photo. I have no idea what my under hood photo disappeared to. Just a thought.

View attachment 1716478209

That’s kinda the side I am leaning towards.

I do love the look of the old mopar dual cylinder AC compressor. I’m surprised more people don’t produce rebuild kits.

 

[slantsixdan]

Years ago, I swapped factory air from a '65 Dart into a '65 Dart. It was a much bigger and uglier (more difficult) job to do properly than the result warranted.

 

[MonkeyTrev]

Years ago, I swapped factory air from a '65 Dart into a '65 Dart. It was a much bigger and uglier (more difficult) job to do properly than the result warranted.

Good to know

 

[65 Dartman]

I have added a factory air system to my non-air 65 Dart wagon. Yes, the AC firewall is different than a heat only firewall in 3 areas - AC blower (larger opening than heat only; area where the AC condenser fittings come through the firewall and the opening for the bulkhead connector.

I swapped the firewall from a 66 Dart into my 65 and the underdash unit fit like it grew up with it. DMT has a rebuild kit for the underdash unit including the vent area.

I sourced all the 65 underhood components - compresser, unique drier snd hoses from another member and had everything rebuilt ir restored by Classic Air. Unfortunately they have gone out of business. I will be using Freon 12 as I have a stache of the cans. Eventually I will get to fire it up

 

[Professor Fate]

i think, but not 100% certain, that the dart and barracuda dash frame is different. somewhat like dart/duster standard dash vs. rally dash. the holes for the gauges make the difference.

That's what i was thinkin'- the gauges may not swap but the entire dash should. Thus having to live with Barracuda dash trim in a Dart.
Last time I checked, Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air (and nobody else that I could find) offered kits for early As- just "universal" heat/cool kits and it's up to you to make them work. I ended up going with a knee-knocker.

 

[65 Dartman]

That's what i was thinkin'- the gauges may not swap but the entire dash should.

I have a complete 66 Barracuda dash swapped into my 65 since I preferred the 66 Barracuda instrument cluster over the 65 Dart cluster.

 

[junkyardhero]

That's what i was thinkin'- the gauges may not swap but the entire dash should. Thus having to live with Barracuda dash trim in a Dart.

you say that like it's a bad thing!

*laughs*

 

[Professor Fate]

you say that like it's a bad thing!

*laughs*

Okay, I'm weird- but I kinda like the Dart layout.

 

[junkyardhero]

Okay, I'm weird- but I kinda like the Dart layout.

weirdo!

all kidding aside, i too like the dart layout but think the "sportier" barracuda array is very appealing-- especially in a bare bones set up.