How well does the stock a/c systems work in a mav/comet? I live in Florida and I am looking at a few options for replacing the a/c system but wanted to keep things looking original with the stock compressor. I have had a few older cars before and the a/c systems always felt like nothing more than a mouse behind the dash blowing on an ice cube. I would like to hear from anyone here who still uses their a/c system.
Personally, my '74s A/C is no joke. Other than having to prop open the vent door due to a dead vacuum canister I have no complaints.
The factory system works pretty good, but I'd replace the compressor with a newer one. Quieter, and it uses less horsepower to run. But then again, I am in the A/C business...
I agree with Dave. No need to run the big old clunky compressors. The newer ones are so much smaller and more efficient. Its an extra cost to run a newer one though so I guess its whats in the budget as well.
what compressor did you guys use to replace the stock one with? did you mount it in a different location?
Wud u upgrade the evaporator and condenser as well? I plan on replacing my comp. but thinkin abt getting whole deal for best effiency from Classic Auto Air. Since ur a gearhead and do AC - what better person to ask.
I'm running the original A/C compressor on my 73 with a 200 six. Plenty cold for the summers in Arkansas. There's a product out there called Freeze 12 that is a LOT less expensive than r12. Newer compressors like a Sanden don't use as much power, but mine was working and plan on running it till it dies. I'll use those hundreds of dollars elsewhere.
I'm running a stock compressor, (until it dies) aftermarket cross-flow condenser with ES12a refrigerant. There's some dispute as to whether or not hydrocarbon refrigerants turn your car into a bomb, but it cools great and the manufacturer says they've never been sued... Allegedly this refrigerant causes the compressor to run under lighter load. I know mine is quiet and I don't experience noticeable power loss or change in idle speed when it's on.
I am in Clearwater myself ... when I got my Comet in 1992, it had 70K miles on it. The A/C worked in it, and the car was my daily driver. After a couple of years, the compressor failed. Bought a reman York compressor direct from the factory, and then had several other failures. Only could keep the whole thing running for a month at a time, until I canned the whole system when doing the engine swap. Even when it was running well at the start, the A/C was not as good as a modern car here.... It was adequate, but on a summer day, you would never say "I have to turn that down, too cold in here". Classic Auto Air is right in Tampa. You might want to talk to them, especially if you are going to drive your car a lot.
My A/C works, but like u say margainally. I have talk to the guys at Classic. My compressor is noisy, not a bearing noise - just old technology noise. If I am upgrading the rest of the car I might as well be comfy when Im cruizing. I wud not even consider another stock compressor. I don't drive the car daily; it's a toy. My car is not rusty, or banged up, so it's not in need of a lot money to do expensive body repair. My main priorities in restoration are safety, reliability, comfort and cosmetics in that order. We do experience some hot wx here in the Chicago area and I plan on driving the car on the highway up to abt 300 miles so don't want all the road noise, bugs, and everything else that makes travel uncomfortable.
Nothing wrong with the factory systems if you have everything working right! My 72 Comet has all factory stuff with r12 and it makes ICE CUBES the center register is so cold it sweats and I do have to turn it down.
My 74 Maverick`s factory air works fine. It`s been converted to 134a The 134a doesn`t cool quite as well as the r-12 did,but it`s still acceptable. My whole system is still stock except for the refrigerant conversion. Let me please hi-jack your thread for a quick question for the ac techs. Using 134a should you still go by the stock sight glass,or use guages for refrigerant fill?
hello all. Girl wanting to change a/c... I was reading you guys posts and I also am interested in replacing my a/c. Does anyone know which kind to buy and does anyone have an instructions or pics on how to replace one. I was hoping to do it myself if it wasnt that hard.... I have a 76 ford maverick. Kind of looks like Mr. Boyer's picture, except original gold color and not as pretty.
