Bachie Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 (edited) Hi Guys, I just recently completed installing my new AC/Heater/Defrost kit and thought I wouldshare my experience with the group. (Sorry in advance- long post) I am no mechanic, electrician or an a/c specialist of the likes but in saying so, I am always willing to give everything a go and get my hands dirty. I got my car fully road registered (after it being off the road for more than 10 years) in late August and only drove weekends. October long weekend was when it hit me, the heat that is. It was so hot that it go me sweating into my seat and just made me it want to just get home quickly rather than going for the spirited drive lol. I started researching and calling a few places in hopes to get it done before summer, but many places were either booked out until next year or where far too pricey (top price quoted for unseen was $6000). :/ I called up vintage air in and they quoted me the universal gen II kit (AC/Heater/Defrost) for $2500 exc shipping. Was tempted to go down this route, but everything was generic, the compressor bracket needed be frabicated to fit and had to replace the original control panel which I didnt want to do. So I go into contact with Auto AC in the states, they had the complete kit (AC/Heater/Defrost) that was "designed" to work with Datsun 240z/260z and the original control panel. It also comes with all lines, hoses, wiring, brackets and step by step instructions. They also assured me that this was designed for RHD drive Z's too. So as you know it, this is the option i took. https://autoacsolutions.com/products/1974-1975-1976-datsun-260z-add-on-air-conditioning-with-integrated-controls-for-rhd-right-hand-drive-vehicles/ After converting it to AUD+ Shipping, it was roughly $2550. Delivered by FEDEX in 1 week. Ordered on Monday, Arrived following Monday. Beware of the TAX and import fees. That was around $300 or so for me. So now I am at roughly $2850* So the photos are in the order of my progression. By the way, I only had weekends and sometimes only 1 day of the week to work on it as work was picking up and it was coming towards end of the year so, I would say it took me about 3 days in terms of "day" hours to get it done as for the most part, it was deciding on how everything and where everything was going to be placed. There was a lot trial fitment going on. So first few photos were just photos of the contents. Arrived in one big box. Evaporator/Heater Core, Wiring and instructions Compressor, Brackets and belts Condensor The first thing was to drain the coolant, remove the dash and get the old evaporator/heater core and blower motor out. Dashboard and Center Console out Now onto the old evaporator and blower motor Evaporator/Heater Core and blower motor out New Heater/Evaporator core and blower motor Once it was out, I realised how tight this fitment was going to be and I was umming and arring whether I place it on top of the trans tunnel or to the passenger side against the firewall. I couldnt decide just yet so I ended up moving to mounting the compressor bracket and compressor. Instructions, Compressor, Bracket, nuts and bolts Compressor Bracket fitted Compressor and Belt Fitted Next was mounting the condensor. I mocked up some brackets using soft metal then using the mockup I fabricated thicker brackets. Fabricated brackets for the condensor Condensor mounted So now back into the car, (this part took most of my time) a lot of testing fitting with the dashboard on and control panels in, no matter what I did i couldnt seem to get the control panel in to fit properly as it was pushing up against the unit and therefore protruding out of the dashboard. I ended up taking the original control panel apart and by which i meant removing the unessecary metal brackets that made it longer than is required. This got it to fit but only just. This is how it looks without the vents connected at the top and with the ac drain at the bottom connected to the original hose. Once I figured out the placement, i removed it and added sound deadening and insulation Next was connecting the heater hoses. I tried to fit the new heater valve to where the original holes were in the firewall, but it did not fit well as the hoses inside the cabin needed to be routed to the passenger side and even if I still managed to install it, the clutch pedal would touch it every time when pressed. As a result I ended drilling to holes to the left near where the original AC holes were. As for the heater hoses, I ended up going to supercheap auto and bought some hoses that were already pre-shaped and just cutting them to length and then fit. Heater Valve and Heater Hoses (inside cabin to Heater Core) Connecting other end of the heater valve with L shaped heater hoses (goes from heater valve, routed behind engine and fitted to a 90degree brass fitting. Next step was to connect the AC hoses. The kit came with the hoses that had fittings already pre-pressed to the them and with some extra fittings to change the setup. I ended up only using one of the hose that was already pre-pressed and ended up buying different fittings from repco as I required different angles and where the charge ports were located it was facing the fender wall with about an inch of room to allow for charging. Tools used to press the fittings onto hose. Costed $180. I ended up relocating one of the charge ports a little further down and angled towards the engine as opposed to the fender wall. Relocating one of the charge ports as the one that came in the kit, when installed onto the compressor, the port faces the fender wall with only 1 inch of work space (not ideal) so this new one faces the engine instead. See following photo. Connected all the AC hose fittings to the respective parts. Fitted the hoses to the compressor. Condensor hoses fitted. The drier was mounted on the driver side fender wall. Drier Fitted to the driver side fender wall. It came with a binary switch but because I also wanted to activate my dual electric radiator fans for when the AC is turned on, I bought a trinary switch and installed that instead. Here is what it looks like with AC and Heater Hoses connected. All the other push/pull rods to go hot/cold vent/defrost are all connected on either side to the original panel. Lastly, it came down to the wiring and connecting it to the control panel. Following the instructions it was actually straight forward and done within less than 5 mintues. Connected the wiring according to the instructions. I ended up creating a female plug for this side afterwards. Connecting the wiring harness and the tacho to get power and ignition for testing for leaks (later). Connected air tubes and vent. After testing it all, turning on the engine, checking it for coolant leak inside and out operating the blower motor. It was all OK. Everything reinstalled and dashboard is back in. So all up, it costed me just over $3000 -AC/Heater/Defrost Kit (including shipping and Taxes) -AC hose Crimp Kit -AC hose fittings -Heater Hoses Thanks for Viewing all. This was just my experience and what it costed me. I am sure you can all probably find something cheaper or have better methods of installing but all in all, I finally got there and it is working. Thanks for viewing! P.S ive also attached a video of when I was testing the unit too. 20201212_190748.mp4 Edited January 9, 2021 by Bachie gav240z, 24 Dat, AndBir and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndBir Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Great post, thanks for all of the detailed info and photos !! Just wondering, does it have a fresh air intake as well or does it just recirculate the cabin air? gav240z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUTOACSOLUTIONS.COM Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 We thank you so much for the feedback on this a/c package. We have taken your comments and have made several changes per your recommendations. J.W. Paschal President AUTOACSOLUTIONS.COM C.A.R., gav240z and 24 Dat 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24 Dat Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Thanks @Bachie for starting this thread and such a detailed post. I am sure more people will ask for your input and advice in the future on a install, and great timing as driving a S30 without air in summer on a 30+ degree day is just not that much fun. Bachie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUTOACSOLUTIONS.COM Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 On 12/20/2020 at 1:20 AM, AndBir said: Great post, thanks for all of the detailed info and photos !! Just wondering, does it have a fresh air intake as well or does it just recirculate the cabin air? Our system only works on recirculate air. J.W. Paschal AUTOACSOLUTIONS.COM Bachie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted August 10, 2022 Administrators Share Posted August 10, 2022 Just looking at this topic again, with summer coming. I think having A/C in a 240z/260z is the way to go given how hot summer is here. I was going to ask if they did a 240z kit but looks like they do. https://autoacsolutions.com/products/ac-kits/1970-1971-1972-1973-datsun-240z-air-conditioning-heater-defrost-complete-add-on-kit/ JDM-TOY, Bachie and sexual_sushi 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 21 hours ago, gav240z said: Just looking at this topic again, with summer coming. I think having A/C in a 240z/260z is the way to go given how hot summer is here. I was going to ask if they did a 240z kit but looks like they do. https://autoacsolutions.com/products/ac-kits/1970-1971-1972-1973-datsun-240z-air-conditioning-heater-defrost-complete-add-on-kit/ It looks like it's only suitable for LHD Zeds...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted August 10, 2022 Administrators Share Posted August 10, 2022 On 12/20/2020 at 5:23 PM, Bachie said: They also assured me that this was designed for RHD drive Z's too. So as you know it, this is the option i took. https://autoacsolutions.com/products/1974-1975-1976-datsun-260z-add-on-air-conditioning-with-integrated-controls-for-rhd-right-hand-drive-vehicles/ 40 minutes ago, C.A.R. said: It looks like it's only suitable for LHD Zeds...? Refer to original post. I know you've managed to fix original 260z A/C units in customers cars before. Who have you used for parts etc..? My 71 has a dealer option A/C installed and compressor seems to kick in when I turn it on, but when I asked an A/C specialist about regassing he looked at the photos of the lines and charge port and was perplexed having never seen that style before (so must be really old). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDM-TOY Posted August 11, 2022 Share Posted August 11, 2022 Im heading down the Vintage Air Gen II way. Seems a easier setup and fits snug. I have had my eye on this page https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/61181-vintage-air-gen-ii-mini-install/ The only issue I see as a challenge for me is trying to retrofit the switches onto the 240z switches/levers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted August 11, 2022 Administrators Share Posted August 11, 2022 Nothing about that vintage air install looks easy to me. Lots of things to trip you up along the way. Far too generic, if you ask me. For what should be a fairly popular model (S30z) to build a dedicated kit for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDM-TOY Posted August 11, 2022 Share Posted August 11, 2022 22 minutes ago, gav240z said: For what should be a fairly popular model (S30z) to build a dedicated kit for. Does that US kit mount on the S30 blower box? The unit looks smaller than the vintage air unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted August 11, 2022 Administrators Share Posted August 11, 2022 16 minutes ago, JDM-TOY said: Does that US kit mount on the S30 blower box? The unit looks smaller than the vintage air unit Not sure. I see in Japan a couple of options also. http://mspeed-japan.com/product_information.php?page_num=1&category_id=7 There was a rare factory option A/C kit for S30z's and early ones in particular. Very rare to find and I think only offered in Japan. JDM-TOY 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bachie Posted August 17, 2022 Author Share Posted August 17, 2022 Hey Guys, Definitely has been a while since ive been on. Something in me just told me to jump onto the forum and see whats new.. haha On 8/10/2022 at 11:14 AM, gav240z said: Just looking at this topic again, with summer coming. I think having A/C in a 240z/260z is the way to go given how hot summer is here. I was going to ask if they did a 240z kit but looks like they do. https://autoacsolutions.com/products/ac-kits/1970-1971-1972-1973-datsun-240z-air-conditioning-heater-defrost-complete-add-on-kit/ I dont see why it wont fit, but best to ask to be certain I guess. Just not sure on the wiring diagram and/or the colour wiring difference between US and AUS spec. There is an alternate cheaper option for AC only for RHD. Add on Air Conditioning AC Kit for Datsun 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 240Z 260Z 280Z RHD Right Hand Drive (Approximately $1939 AUD) https://autoacsolutions.com/products/ac-kits/add-on-air-conditioning-ac-kit-for-datsun-72-73-74-75-76-77-78-240z-260z-280z-rhd-right-hand-drive/ 1970 1971 1972 1973 Datsun 240Z Add On Air Conditioning with integrated controls for RHD Right Hand Drive Vehicles (Approximately $2155) https://autoacsolutions.com/products/ac-kits/1970-1971-1972-1973-datsun-240z-add-on-air-conditioning-with-integrated-controls-for-rhd-right-hand-drive-vehicles/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter t Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I wonder if this will fit with my electric power steering unit as well??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter t Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 I see this company sell new evaporators to fit in standard 260 factory AC units. Could be a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70240z83 Posted November 25, 2023 Share Posted November 25, 2023 I Bought this system all of the items you mentioned are spot on. The charge port for the 90 at the compressor is not usable and another connector is required. My car is US so it is left hand drive. I cannot for the life of me get the box to fit. It needs to be tilted and then it runs into everything under and around the dash. The heater valve is oriented with no right way to place or mount under the dash....the installation instructions and photos are terrible to say the least. I have called for help to and received no real answers to move the project forward. Remember mine is left hand drive with the mounting you have it solves some of the fitment issues. I have given up.....wasted 3K for the kit that was supposed to work with the existing stock assembly..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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