How To Install A Vintage Air A/C - Airing It Out

Vintage Air supplies the correct brackets to install the A/C condenser without any hassle. We're installing the brackets per the instructions, then the complete assembly will be dropped in place. Save yourself some time and make sure you have the condenser fittings in the correct orientation before installing the brackets. The large fitting goes at the top and connects to the A/C compressor discharge hose.

Be sure to use the supplied A/C-system lube to each O-ring before installing and tightening the fittings. Firmly hold the line in place to prevent any rotation while tightening the fitting. Tightening the line without holding the line stable can tear the O-ring.

The condenser is about ready to drop in place. All we need to do is to tighten all the fittings. We try to keep the caps on the drier and condenser until the system is ready for complete closure to prevent moisture intrusion. The desiccant in the drier is sucking up the moisture in the atmosphere while the system is open.

The driver-side vent looks very similar to a factory-air A/C outlet and installs in the vicinity of a factory-air-equipped midyear. Vintage Air supplies spacers to drop the hood cable down so the vent housing clears the dash. We installed the hood cable bracket bolts into the brace to make installation easier. We also had to move the headlight door switch to the factory A/C-equipped position on the bottom of the dash.

Now back to the inside while the system is being evacuated. The first step is to connect the distribution hoses to the A/C-heater assembly before installing the vents. We're measuring the hoses with the tubing stretched out for each duct.

Once the hoses are cut to the proper length, they can be installed on the A/C evaporator-heater case. We found that squeezing the passenger-side hose into an oval shape helps glovebox installation. Vintage Air's A/C kit allows you to use your original glovebox assembly for a true factory installed look.

We wrapped up the interior with the supplied A/C center console panels. Distribution hoses are connected to the console side panel, and then the panel is installed. It's a good idea to loosen the console plate screws before you try to slide the panel in position. The console side panels can be painted to match your interior color, and you can save your originals in case you want to go back to Bloomington Gold standards.