Re: air conditioning in 1953

Posted by Dwight Heinmuller On 2011/8/12 16:57:24

"Overheating" should never be an issue with any postwar Packard that is at factory specs. Overheating is often in the mind of the owner, rather than a reality. I define overheating if there is boiling in the radiator or coolant loss. A temp. gauge pointer that is close to H does not necessarily mean the car is overheating.

There are companies that retrofit antique cars with a/c, either 6V or 12V. There is no need or reason to change to 12V. You should NOT use 134A refrigerant. Instead, use R414B or equivalent. It is a replacement for R12, with the same characteristics, and offers superior performance to 134A, which can cause excessively high temps. in the condensor. Any refrigeration company can provide R414B to a licensed a/c technician.

Any retrofit a/c should NEVER damage or permanently change any feature of the car that cannot be easily and inexpensively corrected.

Classic Auto Air is in Tampa, FLhttp://www.classicautoair.com/

Old Air Products is in Fort Worth, TXhttp://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/

Major changes to an antique car can have a serious impact on value. Many changes can be costly and unnecessary. Be careful what you do.