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Adding AC to 66 Classic 232

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bbrooks2 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bbrooks2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Adding AC to 66 Classic 232
    Posted: Oct/08/2014 at 11:36am
 
My 66 Classic has the 232 and I have a parts car "my first car" 68 American 199 with factory air. I had thought about swapping that ac over into the Classic but have read here that the old compressors rob power which I know because one of the first things I did at 16 was to pull the factory air off the American. I have not checked into the brackets for the ac yet. I have had other issues making the Classic road worthy so far and ac will be for spring.
What are your recommendations for adding ac to my 66 Classic?
Thanks, Brad 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote rocklandrambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/08/2014 at 12:04pm
The brackets for the 199 will fit the 232. I believe the AMC vendors sell an adapter kit that allows you to use a newer type Sanden compressor with the older bracket. Not sure how the fan belt set up was used. You may have to do some fiddling with that.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote FSJunkie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/08/2014 at 5:01pm
The old compressors suck 5-10 horsepower. Newer compressors aren't much less and the trouble of fitting on a newer compressor isn't worth the small benefit, IMHO.

A/C pulls power. It's a fact of life. It pulls just as much on newer cars, but their electronic control systems isolate the driver more from the effects so we don't notice it as much.

You'll only notice the power draw at idle and low speeds like pulling from a stoplight, they aren't really noticeable at sustained higher speeds. These systems don't work well at low speed and idle, so you'll likely only use it on the highway anyway and the power draw will be insignificant.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/09/2014 at 6:47am
The new model Sanden compressors pull a noticeable amount less power and are a lot less bulky and heavy. ANY auto AC shop can get the adapter bracket to mount a Sanden compressor to the original bracket. So use the 199 bracket and an adapter. The adpaters can be found on the Internet -- Google "sanden to york AC adapter" and order one.

You will need an evaporator unit (inside the car), but the American unit, being essentially an under dash unit, should fit the Classic. Pull it and try it! Won't look any worse than the common 60s aftermarket or factory under dash add-on kits. Don't forget to order new hoses. Most AC shops can make custom hoses with the correct ends, or they can remove the ends from the old hoses. You need new hoses as R-134 will slowly seep out through the old R-12 rubber hoses even if they were new. The molecules are smaller in R-134. You might want to try a product called "ES-12" or "Enviro-Safe". Google that and read up on it. I've been using it for a while now in my Rambler (factory air with original evaporator, 1988 Jeep 4.0L compressor, 1990s Chrysler LS condensor).  I've also used it in a 2002 Ford Ranger. Works at least as good as R-134 -- I noticed no difference in the Ranger, which blew a seal and leaked all the R-134 out. Ran it for a couple years, then sold the truck.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote uncljohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/11/2014 at 12:12am
Here in Arizona, where one third of the year it is ovr 100 degrees, a beater is not worth buying if it does not have a/c. 
Of course it takes hp to run one. I have been running A/C on my Spirit since 1999. It really is not noticeable unless you are looking for it. Besides, there is an off switch. In doing a retrofit, the hard part is going to be finding the mechanical components to mount the thing on the engine.  A 232 at least has family resemblance to a 258 so if you can find any of the family engines with parts, go after them.  And there are a host of variations so get as much as you can and then some. 
As to mounting the later compressor, the last Eagles had all of the parts.  But if you are piece parting things, the mounting adapter is universally available and the pulley used to drive one is the same as the OEM pulley for the OEM compressor. At least as far as size so the belts all interchange.  The condensers are available as universal items and under dash units are available. Vintage Air as an underdash unit as a package that includes all parts needed except the compressor  mounting hardware for about $1000.00 or so. A number of under dash units are available so picking the one that fits and looks the best is a good bet.  And again the compressor  mounting brackets are all that is needed and a lot of AMC cars and jeeps had A/C.  The hoses have to be fabricated but the parts to fabricate them with are with the kit. 
When it is triple digits temperature, a couple of HP is a small price to pay for comfort and if you are a good tuner, you can tune out most of the loss anyway. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Wrambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/11/2014 at 4:45pm
Use the 199 underhood gear. Adapter and Sanden compressor.
Use the 199 condensor if cost and condition warrant it. new ones are more efficient to go with 134A. New dryer.
After market underdash unit and get new hoses made up as needed. It's easier than it sounds.
Take the full heaterbox and underdash unit out of the American and sell it.  It only fits the American dash properly and will likely bring enough cash to cover the smaller aftermarket unit.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/15/2014 at 1:47am
the old York types are single piston, are a huge load at idle when the cooling system isn't working well, so they add a lot of heat, and they are inefficient. the Sanden types, 7 pistons on a wobble plate, are far mor eefficient, and the load they present to the engine is low, and increases with RPM, so it's a great match.

you can get adapters, etc. i ran h134a and Sandin in a 75 Gremlin V8, in Arizona, with the factory R12 evaporator, and it works great. i ran  an all-new VintageAir (and sanden under dash unit in my 63 classic and it worked great.

i wrangled my own bracket and idler system into the classic. it was drop-dead reliable. i ran the idler in a weird position but it solved a lot of problems. 1970 232ci engine.

http://worldpowersystems.com/AMC/1963-Rambler-Classic-550-Cross-Country/AC/index.html

my current rambler has no roof (roadster), not even a heater, so A/C is a variation on "4 by 60" only htere's not 4, but zero windows. i plan on buying a rain suit.

BIG HINT: regardless of choice: ditch the factory condenser, it's waaay too small, buy the biggest possible condenser you can fit and you cannot possibly go wrong. its the weak link in my A/C systems.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 69gladiator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/16/2014 at 6:33pm
what are my options as far as mounting brackets go for a 232? I have been looking  for an original w/o sucess.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote uncljohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/16/2014 at 6:57pm
Have you tried looking for anything that is an I-6 with A/C.  The basic engine is  the same up through a 258. Unless there is a problem with distance from the front of the block and that may even be dealable. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/17/2014 at 7:49am
258 mounts should work. There was a change in the front of the block in 74 to accommodate different accessory mounting, but I don't think the block bosses on the side for the AC mount changed. The timing cover and several of the timing cover holes changed, with the holes made bigger for larger bolts/studs to mount things on.
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