xc hardtop

Hi all,
I have a dilema with my ac and would like some opinions pros/cons on the subject.
I have a factory ac in my coupe and have been debating if i should get it fixed (currently doesnt work) or remove it completely.
What is involved in both? How much does it cost to get re-gassed? etc.
Do the older ac units affect performance much?
I have never been a big fan of ac, prefer windows down, sunroof open cruising...hey i like the wind through my hair ok:-)
Any suggestions most welcome.

Cheers.

northey

Air con units can usually be fixed by someone who has is really experienced in the game and knows what they're doing.
Factory air ?!?! Leave it in. It's as rare as rocking horse whataname.

Take it to a proper "spurt", get it checked out and a repair price.

If it's an old style York piston compressor, they take more power to drive than the rotary compressors. But then that's a good excuse to upgrade the engine power a little bit more.

Cheers

4vxc

I had a new york compressor fitted and a few other new bit plus the conversion to the "new" gas for $1000 5 years ago and it worked fine but the compressor has just seized so I'm getting it swapped for a rotary typein a couple of weeks. Will let you know how it goes.

northey

Oops. Didn't see that bit! You could always leave a/c internals in place, remove compressor and brackets, etc and put them in a safe place.
To be fitted later if required.

Cheers

xcgxl

Sounds pricey! I got everything NEW from firewall forward for $1150 fitted and gassed.

__________________
1978 XC Fairmont GXL, Emerald green, Jade Int. 351C, 750 VAC, C10, 9" LSD
Air, steer, power windows................

tufLTD

The York compressor will only last for 1 or 2 years (depending on how much you use it) with R134a gas. This gas results in much higher compressor head pressures than the old gas & the York's don't like it. You will also need to change the front compressor seal & all o-rings for the new gas, as well as the receiver/drier.
Best bet is to go for a Sanden or similar rotary compressor. Places like Repco sell conversion kits to mount them up to Clevo's.
Cheers.

4vxc

Well, finally got the air-con fixed. Got a Sanden rotary pump, made an adaptor plate to suit the original mounting bracket, uses the original idler pulley for belt adjustment. Works great, better setup than the York compressor.

Peter_Scott

Tell me about this bracket you made - was that because the Sanden pump wouldn't bolt to the original FORD bracket?
I have factory air too and would like to fix/upgrade it.
I'm guessing my air has run out of gas - the pump seems to turn ok but there was no belt on it.
I have a spare aircond pump as well - another York - so looks like I'll have two white elephant pumps now!
How much was the Sanden rotary pump etc?

4vxc

The bracket is not fully visible in the pic. It bolts onto the original mounting bracket, the biggest problem is getting pulley alignment correct, but since you can buy ready made brackets that would be the way to go.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...012_edited.jpg

Bearman

Great thread. I've got the same issue with my XC Fairmont Coupe. It has factory air but no belt on the pump. Has been that way for yonks so I'd imagine no gas at least, probably the pump is shot too. Will put on a belt and see what happens.

Do the rotary compressors tax the engine as much as the piston compressors?

Can anyone recommend a place in Melbourne to get it all working again??

__________________
BA XR6 NA Mercury Silver (daily drive)
XC Fairmont Coupe (sunday cruiser)
www.fordcoupeclub.org.au