Re: 1956 Packard 400 After Market Vintage Air Conditioning

Posted by HH56 On 2014/4/3 21:53:36

I think the easiest and most comfortable will be an under dash hangon unit and the most period correct looking will be the Mark IV steel repro from Vintage Air. Those were very popular in the late 50's - early 60's. Unless you find an old serviceable unit in a junkyard, doubt you will find anything available today truly looking like the original styling of the period. Maybe a good thing because some of the older units used fans instead of blowers and were not nearly as efficient as modern units. Classic Auto Air and Old Air Products also have some units that look period but I believe their cases are modern molded plastic and a little plain looking. IMO the chrome and metal of the Vintage unit would look more correct for a 50's chrome laden Packard.

Downside to the Vintage unit is it is a tad larger than the offerings from Classic or Old Air. One thing to watch for if you do the hangon is the height and depth of the unit. You need to make sure the one you choose will fit over the tunnel yet mount low and back enough so the glove box door will fully open. You may want to make brackets to mount the evaporator on the tunnel rather than hang off the dash.

There have been other modern models chosen and installed but some of the more modern slim designs are fairly wide and encroach on the passengers foot space to package the works. It all boils down to what you want to offer in space and to see daily. Trunk units were a Packard option in 56 but nothing modern really duplicates them. You might be able to find some of the clear plastic ducts that go across the rear window and eliminate using the modern vent packages though. Downside is you also have the fact that with a trunk unit there is no cool air to blow in your face on a hot day.

Another problem is mounting the compressor. There are no commercial compressor brackets for the Packard V8 from the AC companies that I know of. One fellow does make a bracket that fits and works but it does not look 1956. There may be some used brackets of the period still available from one of our regular posters. Those could be adapted for use with the Sanden compressor by adding a universal York to Sanden conversion mount. There was some talk of others possibly making a bracket like ARA and some of the period aftermarket people made but I have not seen any offered for sale yet. Many just make their own bracket or have a one off specially made for their particular needs.

The correct smaller diameter crankshaft drive pulley is being repro'd so that is not a large obstacle but is somewhat expensive. Others have added a second power steering pulley, and while it is larger in diameter than ideal, should not pose a problem with modern Sanden Compressors.

Some of the aftermarket units come with a power relay but if not, be sure to run the unit thru a relay controlled by the ign switch and not powered directly off the switch. The switch capacity is marginal on the V8 ign switches and the added load of AC could hasten it's failure. Another item getting to be in short supply and not cheap to replace.