Adding a/c to a non-a/c Hornet

I see underdash units in swap meets and at club show vendor booths.  An underdash unit is self contained and does not mix air from the vent system.  It re-cycles cabin air.  The will mount pretty much where the under the dash shelf is so that ends up being removed.  Once the under dash unit is obtained it then gets plumbed into a compressor with a condenser mounted in front of the radiator and a drier.  The under dash unit typically than cycles the compressor on and off.
Under dash units are available new from Vintage air in a couple of different styles.  I purchased one for my Donohue.
The unit itself is not a difficult thing to come buy depending on how prolific swap meets are in your area or just purchasing one from a vendor such as Vintage air.
A condenser is available universally in a generic form.  As are driers.  The hard part is locating A/C mounting brackets for the engine.
A salvage yard that still has A/C equiped AMC cars available are the best bet.  Jeeps and Cars with the appropriate A/C units.
And as stated and adapter gets the compressor replaced leaving only pulley drives to come up with.
My 76 Hornet was an AM-Air equipped 232 that i am re-using the AM-Air box in simply because I could salvage it.  The engine became excess as did the accessories as I have installed a Mercury Marine V8 and used GM mounting brackets for accessories.
Thus I have a whole box full of AMC-6 mounting brackets for the AM-Air along with the pulleys and such if some one is interested.
Here in Phoenix, it will be 100 degrees before the end of the week.
A/C is a necessary addition.



Edited by uncljohn - May/12/2014 at 8:15am

I bought a couple of setups from Nostalgic Air. A phone call will allow you to mix components to get the largest condenser that will fit. Measure and go for the max because its cold air is a function of how much heat gets rejected by the condenser. If you have a 4 blade fan, you should upgrade to more blades and a shroud. And your engine cooling system needs to be functioning properly because the condenser will be preheating air before it hits the radiator. Seal around the condenser and radiator as well as possible because the air will try to find a path around them. You need to force lots of air through the condenser and radiator.

Lonestar1947 wrote: Does anyone have an American Air under-dash unit they want to sell? I could put in a factory unit, but I like the corny tacked on look of these. I'm trying to keep my 1981 eagle kammback as original as possible. Thanks. There's one on ebay, but the price is ridiculous.

in fact i do have one, new unused. i bought it on eBay more than 10 years ago. it's reasonably clean but the plastic may be sun faded. it's black, with a faint milky fade. let me clean in it up tomorrow. PM me and i'll post pics etc. surplus to my needs so i'll be reasonable.