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Old 06-23-2015, 06:51 AM   #1
bobpo1
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Default Air Conditioner for Model A

A buddy of mine talked to a small group of "Old Timers" who had Model A's and they came from California. They were fueling up in Toledo when he talked to them. They had been to Detroit with their 'A's'. They also had Air Conditioners in their cars. They told him they bought them already set up. They had 5 days to get back to California..??!!

Who makes them..?
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Old 06-23-2015, 07:03 AM   #2
chap52
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

Might check www.oldairproducts.com they have some neat stand alone units. I have one of their aftermarket a/c units in my 52 F-1. I had some issues early on and they were great to work with. I know it's not an "A" but they have a lot of different units available and I am sure a phone call to them would answer your questions.
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Old 06-23-2015, 07:28 AM   #3
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ir+conditioner

Look at this.
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Old 06-23-2015, 07:35 AM   #4
C26Pinelake
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

You would have to change to a 12 volt system, correct ? Wayne
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Old 06-23-2015, 08:17 AM   #5
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

We have installed 3 units in Model-As now, one from Ken Davis as a kit and two that we purchased individual pieces and adapted them to suit our ideas.

My personal opinion it is Air Conditioning is a great option if you need it, ...and if you do the "whole deal". Proper insulation of the body is key in my opinion to a unit that works effectively. In the pictures below, you will see how we insulated the floor, doors & walls with Dynamat and then 2 layers of bubbled foil insulation over that, and the roof insulated with the bubbled foil too. The firewall pictured below has one of the commercially available insulation panels also. While tinted windows would be a huge benefit in controlling radiant heat, I feel it detracts from the look of the car. My opinion is this vehicle still looks very original from the exterior, ...and in the way the unit is installed (tucked up under the tank & color coordinated), it often goes unnoticed by most spectators as it does not appear to be an "after-thought".

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Old 06-23-2015, 09:46 AM   #6
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

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Brent is right on with the body prep work needed to make the A/C work. We have done a couple of installs with the Ken Davis kit and they go smoothly. But you really need to have the body insulated well to really enjoy the comfort!
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Old 06-23-2015, 10:07 AM   #7
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

Ken Davis can also incorporate a heater in the same unit, which is what I have in my PU.
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Old 06-23-2015, 11:21 AM   #8
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
We have installed 3 units in Model-As now, one from Ken Davis as a kit and two that we purchased individual pieces and adapted them to suit our ideas.

My personal opinion it is Air Conditioning is a great option if you need it, ...and if you do the "whole deal". Proper insulation of the body is key in my opinion to a unit that works effectively. In the pictures below, you will see how we insulated the floor, doors & walls with Dynamat and then 2 layers of bubbled foil insulation over that, and the roof insulated with the bubbled foil too. The firewall pictured below has one of the commercially available insulation panels also. While tinted windows would be a huge benefit in controlling radiant heat, I feel it detracts from the look of the car. My opinion is this vehicle still looks very original from the exterior, ...and in the way the unit is installed (tucked up under the tank & color coordinated), it often goes unnoticed by most spectators as it does not appear to be an "after-thought".

.
I like that you painted the faceplate and that its a clean installation. Is there any particular reason you went through the fire wall instead of around the pedals for the hoses?
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Old 06-23-2015, 11:27 AM   #9
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

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I like that you painted the faceplate and that its a clean installation. Is there any particular reason you went through the fire wall instead of around the pedals for the hoses?

Hi Jordan. I guess the main reason was to 'clean-up' both sides of the firewall. The holes we punched through can be welded closed if there was ever a desire to remove the unit.
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:24 PM   #10
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

Brent: Alt AND AC ! How tight does the fan belt get set??
Paul in CT
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:49 PM   #11
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

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Brent: Alt AND AC ! How tight does the fan belt get set??
Paul in CT
My fan belt on this system is still fairly loose. I can turn the fan blade by grabbing onto it and it still charges the alternator, AC & doesn't slip.
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:51 PM   #12
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

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Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo View Post
Brent: Alt AND AC ! How tight does the fan belt get set??
Paul in CT
Actually the belt doesn't have to be as tight as with an alternator only. The way things are positioned, the belt has more surface grip on the pulleys, less strain on the water pump.
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Old 06-23-2015, 03:21 PM   #13
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Default Re: Air Conditioner for Model A

Best Rube Goldberg AC setup I ever saw was a small 120V window unit through the rear seat side window of a Tudor that had been replaced with plywood, and on the luggage rack was a small Honda generator that the AC was plugged into.
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