The Ford Barn

foxfire42 · 10-30-2016, 02:42 PM

I'm adding A/C (AZ resident) to a 53 Merc. I've read that installing the condenser in front of the radiator will cause engine overheating. The condenser on my Model A is behind the differential. Any suggestions on the best location to install it on my Merc rather than in front of the radiator?

scicala · 10-30-2016, 04:15 PM

Maybe upgrade the radiator to a thicker aluminum one, then put the AC condenser in front of it. Pretty expensive I guess, but maybe the best way.

Sal

rotorwrench · 10-31-2016, 10:37 AM

If you can use a condenser from a small car that is narrow vertically but wide horizontally, you could mount it as low as possible toward the bottom of the radiator. Most of your cooling in a radiator happens in the top 2/3rds of the core. An AC condenser transfers heat pulled out of the cab for a temp drop from ambient to a more comfortable 72 to 75 degrees F so it gets warm for a while until the cab cools down. After that it is basically luke warm but it does slow the flow of air for the radiator. Your biggest problem will be if you get stopped in traffic with no fan unless you put an electric fan on there. Most flatheads don't like setting in traffic on a really hot day whether there is AC or not.

foxfire42 · 10-31-2016, 12:15 PM

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This gives me two options to explore. Both keep me from crawling under the car and running long custom sized hoses. I like that a lot being I'm not young and mobile as I once was. Thanks................

10-30-2016, 02:42 PM	#1
foxfire42 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: AZ and WA Posts: 764	'53 Merc condencer location I'm adding A/C (AZ resident) to a 53 Merc. I've read that installing the condenser in front of the radiator will cause engine overheating. The condenser on my Model A is behind the differential. Any suggestions on the best location to install it on my Merc rather than in front of the radiator?

10-30-2016, 04:15 PM	#2
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,706	Re: '53 Merc condencer location Maybe upgrade the radiator to a thicker aluminum one, then put the AC condenser in front of it. Pretty expensive I guess, but maybe the best way. Sal

10-31-2016, 10:37 AM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: '53 Merc condencer location If you can use a condenser from a small car that is narrow vertically but wide horizontally, you could mount it as low as possible toward the bottom of the radiator. Most of your cooling in a radiator happens in the top 2/3rds of the core. An AC condenser transfers heat pulled out of the cab for a temp drop from ambient to a more comfortable 72 to 75 degrees F so it gets warm for a while until the cab cools down. After that it is basically luke warm but it does slow the flow of air for the radiator. Your biggest problem will be if you get stopped in traffic with no fan unless you put an electric fan on there. Most flatheads don't like setting in traffic on a really hot day whether there is AC or not.

10-31-2016, 12:15 PM	#4
foxfire42 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: AZ and WA Posts: 764	Re: '53 Merc condencer location Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This gives me two options to explore. Both keep me from crawling under the car and running long custom sized hoses. I like that a lot being I'm not young and mobile as I once was. Thanks................ Last edited by foxfire42; 10-31-2016 at 12:46 PM.