Vintage Air install in 71-74 Javelin

Not a Javelin, but I'm using the original expansion valve in my 63 Classic. It's charged with R-134a, but works fine. Also using the original evaporator and housing inside the car. The entire inside unit is original, but I'm running a Sanden style compressor with serpentine belt (4.0L) and a Chrysler LH parallel flow condensor with a universal drier. It all works well together. New hoses are barrier type. I wouldn't run 40+ year old hoses. I had to mate all the under hood O-ring fittings with the flare fitting inside, so had to have new hoses anyway. I do wonder if an expansion valve calibrated for R-134a instead of R-12 would work better.

The only thing that doesn't seem to work is the original temp control. It doesn't seem to make a difference where it is set. The compressor switched line runs through it, but I can't tell any difference when I move it. I only run the AC when it's over 80 outside, and the evaporator could be larger for the wagon, so it might be working. The AC was sized to make it more comfortable in the car, but it's not as cold as newer cars! Wasn't designed to be in the early 60s.

That's a really neat installation and great photos Mopar_guy!! I'm sure many will appreciate this well documented thread.

Southern Air has some units that are packaged a little differently than Vintage Air and may be a better fit in some cases. Their MaxiCooler III and Superfrost units are really good. In some cases it's what fits over everything else! The dimensions of the Southern Air cases are a bit different from Vintage Aire, one of their larger units might fit where a VA larger unit wouldn't, and vice-versa.  They also have a "mustang style" under dash unit that looks near factory for the American and is perfect for 50s/60s cars, and a wider under dash unit that looks like a dealer installed unit for late 60s/70s cars. The Vintage Air Magnum Gen IV mounts under the passenger side and has ducting toward the center of the car (left end) similar to many factory installations. It would be great for a Rebel/Mat/Ambo. It's the only one that's configured that way.

The only other unit I've found that is much different as far as packaging is the Old Air Products Hurricane unit. It's a boxy unit that's about 12" tall (including duct flanges), 11.5" wide, and 8.5" deep. Wouldn't help with the Javelin, but might work well in other models. They have a side connetion and rear connection (for hoses) model.

Most places sell either VA, SA, or OA products, some customized to individual makes and models, some just dealers. There are some companies selling cloned units, I know Southern Air complained about at least one of their units being cloned a few years ago. Many units are similar, it's just different packaging after all -- AC is AC!! You could get the parts from a junkyard and make your own housing... it's been done before!

I added to my original post with more pictures and information.