Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hey, all. It's been a while

Just wondering. What is a fair price for an a/c kit plus installation?

Any links to recommended kits?

Thanks.

Since everything pretty much has to be custom made, it won't be cheap. If you do it all yourself, (except make the hoses) as well as buy all your own parts to make it work, it would be a lot cheaper.

No such thing as an "off the shelf" under dash kit I could use?

The under the dash part is the easy part. It's the under the hood stuff that requires all the fabrication.

If you were going to install a/c how would you go about doing it, and what would you expect to spend?

On a V8, I would build a bracket to mount it where the stock system went, which is where the oil filter is, and tie it into the thermostat housing, like stock. I'd then use that bracket to mount a modern Sanden compressor. Keith, (PackardV8) has done such a setup, and it looks very nice. I would then fit as large of a condenser in front of the radiator as possible, and use an under dash unit from the likes of Vintage Aire. All in all, if you do all the installation yourself and buy all new parts, you're easily looking at $800-$1000 or more, unless you're more parts savvy than most.

Look at :https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2551&forum=3&post_id=27530#forumpost27530

especialy page2 of the above thread.

As T'Packaman says, use the LARGEST condensor u can fit. Let us know what u do and some pics.

I did mine 8 years ago or more for about $200 or less but i already had the Mark IV evaporator in hand.

Thanks for the replies.

I like the idea of using the Toyota. It sounds easy and inexpensive.

I need to get my brain from point A to point B. All knowledge and advice would be appreciated.

Point A: I know how to jump in and attack once I understand how it works. So far, what I know is that a/c requires a compressor, a coil, an evaporator and a blower. I don't know what the evaporator's function is. I also know I need lines from compressor to coil to dissipate heat.

First, I have heard mention before about having to replace the fan and/or radiator. Is that not the case?

Also, my car runs too warm. I changed t-stat. I used h-duty radiator cleaner. Neither helped. Radiator looks good, cosmetically. I was told that the likely solution is to have it re-cored. Do you agree?

After these questions, I will post for advice on a list of parts I need to go out and find.

Thanks.

I took two photos of an AC compressor installed on a V-8 Four Hundred at the 56th Texas Tour. They may be of some help.

Edit: They are in the Car Show Pictures section.

Quote:

I agree, to an extent. I'd take it to a radiator shop and have them clean it and backflush it first. If it doesn't leak and has good flow there's no reason to recore it. Recoring a radiator is expensive, I'm paying upwards of $700 to have my '48 radiator recored. Do that as a LAST resort, but have them clean it first.