Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Jim,

Can you post a picture of the "under dash" A/C unit you are thinking of using. I too was looking for a similar unit as there is really not alot of room under the 51-54 dashes.

BigKev: Here you go:

Jim G

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That would look pretty good up under the dash. I think it look period enough correct, and it would still allow you to use the stock fresh air controls and heater.

Excellent find!

"I just checked the "Fifth Avenue Internet Garage", where Randy Rundle hangs out. Good news and bad on the 12 volt conversion of the Borg Warner OD system:

- The 6 volt relay, and thre kickdown switch, both work just fine with 12 volts."

I also checked out the 5th ave site and commend the fellow for making the repro solenoids and relays but am wondering why, if the 6 V relay will work fine on 12 V, he went to the expense of making repro's of both--why not just one. It has been my experience that coils are designed around a specific voltage with resistance, current draw and heat dissipation all carefully considered.

If the relay were intermittent, might agree you could get away with it but since the OD relay is continuous duty, I'd bet the life on 12 V would be short. I would also bet the 12V headlight relay at $20 would work as well and be far preferable to $125 for one that looks stock. If worse came, you could mount the little cube relay inside the original can as the guys that had the burned out 6 volt relays did--but then you couldn't sell the original on ebay.

BigKev: You don't need to keep the stock heater. The Old Air unit comes in TWO versions:
1. AC only
2. AC plus heat

I plan on getting the AC plus heat version.

See:
oldairproducts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=38000000&products_id=4321


Jim G

OK, You are right.

Jimgniteck, Yes I have read the manuals on adjusting electro-mechanical voltage regulators and have set up many myself. I disagree with your reference to VooDoo where it comes to these regulators. The adjustments are straight forward and relatively easy to make. It does require the right test equipment and fixtures. I agree with you that most mechanics consider anything they don't understand as VooDoo. These voltage regulators will work and last a long time without any problems.

Author, magazine editor, and restoration business owner Matt Joseph wrote a great book called "Collector Car Resotration Bible (KP Books, 2005). It was his second, improved edition. His first book was called "The Standard Guide to Automotive Restoration" (KP Books, 1992).

On page 150 of Collector Car Restoration Bible he says:

"The old electro-mechanical voltage regulators fitted to most cars from the 1930s into the 1970s were among the most finicky ever put on automobiles."

The rest of the pararagph that follows that sentence details some of the reasons and some of the consequences.

I want to avoid that unrecessary pain. :)

Jim G

Actually on my car I want to retain the stock heater and fresh air system, so all dash controls are functional. I will just add underdash A/C unit. Here in So. Calif I would only use the heater either very early morning or late Dec-Feb, or to defrost the windshield, so it doesnt need to be anything more that the stock one.

Jimgnitecki, I respect your opinion. All I can say is Most of the cars I've owned and driven every day have had DC generators and electro mechanical voltage regulators. For me they have worked fine for years at a time with out a problem. I worry more about wheel bearings than the charging system. For instance I aquired a 1955 Olds 88 in 1976. I put in excess of 150k miles on it. The guy I just sold the car to several months ago is still running the same voltage regulator it had in 1976. I don't know how long that regulator was on the car before I got it but I suspect any number of additional years. I have had many such experiences.