Fitting standard aricon to a non aircon model? GRS30 Chassis.

[Joiji]

Hey all, with the sweltering heat wave that Adelaide has been having,  my brain is turning to thoughts of aircon. I have a second complete car as a project for a rainy day, that I believe has aircon, but my current car did not come with aircon from factory. My current car is a 1975 260z 2+2, with the project being a '77 2+2. Would anyone by chance know what I need to do to complete the transplant? My biggest query is about the level box in the dash, as they are different visually, if not internally? Would I be much better of both in simplicity and wallet assault to go with an aftermarket system? I had a flick through old topics and couldn't find anything about a non-aircon to aircon conversion, so please forgive me if this is already covered on the forum.

 

Thanks for your time guys.

 

Tim.

[Scoota G]

I have one of those aftermarket jobs for the model you speak of, PM me for phots or more details. Dale and i are heading over your way on the 26th.

[gilltech]

The A/C- heater box is somewhat larger than the non-A/C heater box, so takes up more space behind/under the dash. It also has a couple more flexis (with under-dash outlets) that are simply capped off on the non-A/C version. The control panel fascias look similar but the A/C version has additional control settings, cables & wiring.

There is a punch-out seal panel in the firewall panel for the A/C pipework to access the engine bay. Obviously you need the compressor & pipework, multi-sheeve engine pulley & drive belt.

Shouldn't be at all difficult if you have all the parts, brackets, clips etc from a doner car. I'd pull both dashboards out, compare them, & photograph the A/C gear before you dismantle anything.

One issue might be the refridgerant type required these days, & whether the old '70's-era installation is compatible - so ask the experts.

After-market A/C is an option, but some hang-on A/C units I've seen only cool existing (recirculated) air in the cabin, & the heater box (or partly open window) is still required to bring in fresh air to the cabin.

[maddos]

I've done the exact thing in my 1/75 260 from a '77 260. Pretty straight forward really when you have the donor car. You'll notice the aircon blower is a larger capacity (wattage wise) than the non aircon. I had hoped it was merely a cooling evaporator swap into the existing control unit behind dash but no go. The other major part you need is the couple of vacuum solenoids mounted near you front right strut tower and the large air ballast pod next to it. As for the gas, if the old system has let it all out you should be able to just start removing. If still gassed you're supposed to have it purged by the pros. Compatabilty with the different gases isn't really an issue as the older style hose couplings are a flange fit rather than using an o-ring which I believe can be the incompatabilty issue. The only thing natrad suggested I might need to do was update the old condensor radiator and possibly replace the TX ? valve in the evaporator. I've had to do neither and this is it's second summer working great. Only original not used was the compressor as the one I had was seized cost $500 for a brand new one. Good luck with it.

[Joiji]

I'll pass on the aftermarket system thanks Scoota, reasoning follows.

 

Well, with further investigation of the boxes and boxes of parts my other shell came with, I seem to be missing a few parts. It does seem that I'm in the right direction regardless, with people having done the transplant before. With Uni starting back up I think I'll hold off for a while and maybe nab a couple of parts through the year to complete my system.

 

To this end, if anyone has any photos of a factory install of aircon, it would be much appreciated. Otherwise I'll have to sift through a couple of manuals and see what I can make heads and tails of.

 

Thanks again guys. Assistance appreciated.