260z 2+2 Air Con fittment/effeciency question

[BikerWill]

Hi all,

 

I couldn't find to much on the previous posts about this. I'm looking at a 2 + 2 that seems perfect but has no air (I'm not sure it ever did). The gentleman selling it has a genuine a/c kit which he can get fitted. He thinks this will be around $1000-1500 inc his kit, labor and regas expenses, which will include a change of refrigerant type. I have some questions about this.

 

1) Is that a fair price?

2) What should I offer for the kit alone if I want to fit it myself?

3) How difficult/time consuming are they to fit? (I don't doubt my ability, just my patience)

4) How well does stock a/c work?

5) Is there a better way to get a/c for $1500?

 

Phew..... I clearly have too many questions..

 

Thanks again, this is by far the friendliest and most helpful forum I have ever been on.

[gav240z]

1) Yes.

2) $100 - $300 depending on condition. They don't come up for sale often.

3) if it is all OEM parts I don't imagine it being hard to do. But some parts will need to be farmed out like regas etc..

4) I've never seen 1 working to be honest. But I imagine not all that well.

5) A company called VintageAir specialise in kits for retro fitting to older cars. A quick Google search will reveal instruction for a 280z. The process should be the same really. This is the route I would take if looking for a clean install with new parts etc..

 

Almost all 2+2s I've seen had air con fitted when new. Most however were ripped out as 'savage power sapping devices' around the same time those classy Z cars owners decided sunroofs were a good idea also. So around the 80s / Early 90s.

 

When I'm on a desktop computer I'll see if I can find some threads on AirCon in Zs to help further.

[Sirpent]

OK

 

So aircon, first the Z's ran a very antiquated by todays standards vacumm opertaed control system, depending on how this original unit has been stored, or previously used, you may find that all your efforts anmount to nothing as you wont be able to get the control mixers working correctly.

 

Second, installing the unit isnt that dificult but will require the removal of the dash as a complete unit inoling some 10 bolts along the top and lower sections of the dash and a spare set of arms and legs to help.

 

While you have all that out, you should check the hot water control valve, air intake shute to the heater system, the air-con exchange, and do the upgrade on the heater blower motor, check my thread where I installed a commodore blower motor, big improvement especially if you want to get the max cooling from the stock Z air con.

 

Make sure you have all of the engine bay harware in the deal such as the compressor, compressor engine mount, idle pulley set up, air condensor and pipe work. you will need a new reciever dryer especially if they will be running the non "R" series gas.

 

In the end, you can only run the original Z issued under dash set up as nothing else from the Datsun family will work, however there is a modern after market kit that is available from the states that is a straight swap, but you will be looking at $2000 plus from memory.

 

A fair price ?

 

Yes if its all complete and the critical parts are all there and operable.

 

However, there are a lot of units laying around that have been removed from Zeds and you could probably pick up the bits from multiple sellers over time and put a set up together that would work for half that price.

 

Hope this confuses things for you, just kidding.

 

Cheers

 

John

[Sirpent]

P.S.

 

This may help, it was some of the work I did on rejuvinating my unit.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,8925.0.html

[PeterAllen]

I've got a Vintage Air unit

 

$688 from the US - couple of years ago now.

 

It was hard to find someone prepared to post to Oz but I got mine through Carolina Rod Shop.

 

http://www.carolinarodshop.com/Store/htm_files/vintage_air.htm

 

[DreamZproject]

Jeepers, I'm not looking forward to getting to this part of the build...

[BikerWill]

I'm hearing you there mate, but with 40 deg days and a fair skinned wife who needs the shade of a tinted window, no option.

 

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Thinking I might buy it as a kit, see what is redeemable and fit vintage air if it's all junk.

[Scoota G]

Just a quick mention, it is possible to fit the heater box without removing the dash even with air conditioning. I fitted one to my Green Zed last year but still haven't got it gassed