How good is A/C in 68-72 models?
12-12-2018, 08:53 AM
#21
Team Owner
Now is the time to get it repaired. Winter months the A/C business is slow and they are looking for work (if they're not in Florida). When it warms up in spring, the price to repair goes UP!
12-12-2018, 11:53 AM
#22
Instructor
I had working factory AC, and converted it to r134a. Don't expect it to function like a modern car AC. Unless you at least upgrade the blower motor it won't do the trick, even with, and especially without, Dynamat or similar heat shielding. Too much heat coming off the engine, even if a small block. Also, in hot climate, unless you want to be always checking the temp gauge, you will want to upgrade to an aluminum radiator. And then once you are no longer concerned about 100% originality, you might as well have gone with a modern aftermarket system.
12-16-2018, 08:52 AM
#23
As I continue my search for a chrome bumper c3, I'm curious to know what everyone's opinion is about A/C. I live in the South and A/C has been a requirement of mine when searching. Lately I've started to wonder just how good the A/C is in this old of a car to make it a requirement. I mean, I have passed up looking at a lot of cars due to them not having A/C and I'm wondering if I shouldn't have.
Does A/C work well in these cars? Is it problematic? Should I make it a requirement?
I know is up to me to decide, but I would hate to make it a requirement and then learn that the A/C in these model years doesn't offer much and it wasn't worth it after all.
Thanks in advance,
Keith
Does A/C work well in these cars? Is it problematic? Should I make it a requirement?
I know is up to me to decide, but I would hate to make it a requirement and then learn that the A/C in these model years doesn't offer much and it wasn't worth it after all.
Thanks in advance,
Keith
I must admit though, most of my warm weather driving is done with the top down. In reality, the only time AC would be necessary would be when it's hot and rainy. Those days I avoid. When it's excessively hot, which does happen here in Michigan, (last summer we had over 30 above 90* days), I use my daily driver. When I was shopping for a C3, the only mandatory item was it be a convertible. I wanted 4spd (which I got), and presumed I wanted air, (which I did not). Neither were deal breakers if they weren't included.
In hindsight, I'm glad I did not get a car with AC, solely because of the fresh air function I mentioned. Good luck.
Last edited by seacliffe301; 12-16-2018 at 08:54 AM.
12-16-2018, 02:19 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
One more thing, I forgot, which is good to know.
IMHO, Vintage Air will cool better than the original A6 compressor and a/c setup in the early C3's. Also plan on upgrading your radiator to DeWitts. You could bake cookies on the console in my big block 68 in the Louisiana summertime even after sealing all air leaks; installed Vintage Air and all is good!!! Check Vintage Air website for downloadable PDF instructions and do it yourself. And if you install Vintage Air you can look at any Corvette for possible purchase. Really makes me wonder how we survived w/o a/c in cars in the sixties?? dang, get this car moving, so we can get some air!!! and who would roll the windows up in the summertime? unless it was raining.
Last edited by 20mercury; 12-16-2018 at 02:22 PM.
12-17-2018, 12:03 PM
#26
Burning Brakes
Although the 1969 brochure indicates a/c not available for 427 I find 427/390hp cars to be listed with factory a/c. Just wanted to make that correction. I was curious as to why GM would not offer a/c on the 390 horse 427 and found that they did!
Having seen and used the vintage install it really does look pretty factory inside the cockpit.
VS
Having seen and used the vintage install it really does look pretty factory inside the cockpit.
VS
