Model A Air conditioning

J

Joe Altieri

Member
Hello,
I know it is blasphemy to think that anyone would modify a Model A ... BUT, modified cars are part of our heritage. With that said, have any of you found an easy to install, after market, air conditioner to install in a V8 powered Model A coupe?
It is time for a little comfort. ( My wife and I covered over 25, 000 miles in our non-air conditioned '31 truck over the last 5 years of summer and fall driving. It gets ridiculously hot in the cab of an A truck when it is over 90 degrees and less than 108 degrees!) Temps over 90 degrees are not uncommon in our part of California.
I have a radiator which is set up for air, so I don't need another condenser. I would like to find a unit which will neatly fit under the dash (gas tank has been removed) and can have vents either through or under the dash.
It would be greatly appreciated if you have had experiences which you could share about such an installation.
Joe
 
Vintage Air in San Antonio and Old Car Products in Ft Worth both make products specifically for your application. I used one in a 30 Tudor w/small block and the A/C evaporater mounted behind the dash where the gas tank once resided. Since you already have the condenser, the cost of the mod goes down. Vintage Air systems uses electronic controls and do not require any mechanical linkage to control the unit.

It sure is nice to have air in Texas on a 110 degree summer day.
 
Thanks Bob. Where we live part of the year is at 4500 ft.. The temps there are usually sub 90's. Most of our travels and shows tend to be in other areas where temps frequently exceed the century mark. My wife didn't like the idea of me building the coupe, so to pacify her and make her appreciate the "hugeness" of it compared to the truck, I thought I'd go with air. The truck, for unknown reasons, is her favorite. Maybe after air she will switch.
Thanks again.
j
 
I put one of Ken Davis's kits in my 28 Tudoe 3 years ago. Everything fit and it works fantastic. I would recommend the one with a heater option. We froze in Wyoming in '09.

I added another in my 30 sport coupe last year and we drove both to Vancouver Canada BC last summer. Both worked great.

Summer is coming up. Time to order one for my 31 "Slant" TS.

Richard
Anaheim CA
 
Does anyone have pictures of the engine with the a/c on it . How much does it pull down the engine when it is on. Will it work on a stock engine,or do you need a stronger one .
 
We did a review of Ken's unit on the sedan in the Model A Times a few years ago. Nice unit works well you don't even know it is on as far as the engine is concerned, but you feel the difference in the car!
 
I would like to see pictures of the engine adaptation. His web page only shows the under dash unit.
 
Here are photos of Dave Jones's a/c unit on his old engine, he since has a new engine being assembled with new mounting bracket made from aluminum (the welded steel bracket had failed at one of the welds).
 

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i have just completed a BOLT IN KIT using all new vintage air parts. this is a heat- a/c combo. a.c put out 33 degrees , heat 97 degrees at the moment fits 30-31 model a"s only.all mounting hardware cnc machined[billet alum] going to sell for around $2200.00 for a complete kit. working on photos and more info.
 
Ken davis's kits which fit any model a, any year and are made by a Model A're himself cost around $1100. They are the best you can buy for your model a.
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the input.
I spoke with Vintage Air today and because I already have a built in condenser in my radiator, they said a complete kit, less condenser, would be about $1100. Next, I must built a "mock-up box" to see if their smaller units will fit.
Thanks again.
Joe
 
Joe Altieri said:
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the input.
I spoke with Vintage Air today and because I already have a built in condenser in my radiator, they said a complete kit, less condenser, would be about $1100. Next, I must built a "mock-up box" to see if their smaller units will fit.
Thanks again.
Joe
Click to expand...

If you went to ken davis' website kendavismodela.com and got his contact info he will send you a kit for about the same price as vintage air. But kens will come already made for your car, just bolt on. Its simple and his stuff is top of the line and will work better than the vintage air. Trust me i live in texas where temps get over 100 degrees easily most of the summer and kens units blow 40-45 degrees easily at that temp. And it will freeze you out of the backseat of a 4 door sedan.
 
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