Re: Practical ways to add air conditioning?

Posted by HH56 On 2008/6/28 12:31:01

I think you have pretty much nailed your options, and I don't think there will be much choice.

Anything made mid to late 50's on will require 12v. I know of no 6v clutches other than lucking out on ebay or a junkyard. Chances of just a clutch fitting a modern unit might not be too good either so then the compressor it comes with will probably have to be rebuilt. Depending on compressor there is the high possibility there are no rebuild parts available (example is original Lehigh 55-6 Packard setup).

Assuming clutch issue resolved, then the blower motor would have to be changed. While 6 v motors available, maybe not for the unit you wind up with without considerable work. Think $ for that.

Turbopackman has mentioned a Ford damper assy many times on the forum so that and bracket with necessary idler (which can be fabricated) are least of worries with modernish -again, just $.

I guess longwinded me is thinking that the only options you have is find a COMPLETE 6v unit from junkyard or ebay and spend to fix it up or convert to 12v and get a more modern unit. I know there are voltage converters/doublers available to run radios etc but seriously doubt anything large enough for an AC would be found or practical.

The trunk vs front is personal preference. The front obviously will cool you quicker and to my mind, better.

EDIT: Out of curiosity I did a quick search for 6v compressor clutch and found several other car clubs & members (Ford, Chry etc) wanting to do the same as you. Consensus is all 6v units had no clutch--just removed belts in winter. That brings up a whole new set of things to think about--like temperature regulation. With no clutch, hot gas bypass was the method (53-4 Packard) so again options slim because those parts are about as hard to find as clutches and compressor pieces.