59 Apache Air Conditioning

Do I really want Air Conditioning?

Hi Gang! Dne’ here with another exciting upgrade in the adventures of my 59 Apache!

You know, it’s funny, but I buy things long before I actually need them! I bought this AC system from Classicautoair.com a year ago or longer! But what IS cool about the company I bought it from? is the man I bought it through remembered me! His name is Dwight ; )   That really meant a lot to me in remembering me and my Apache!  And boy has Dwight been busy helping me get this rough install accomplished!

The kitchen is the ideal place to work on stuff! lol Here, my evaporator case is on my work table.

 

 

Here the evaporator case is temporarily installed to check hose placement to go through the firewall.

 

 

The high and low pressure hoses  going through the firewall. I haven’t drilled the holes for the heater hoses yet.

 

 

The ac and heater hoses will be “hidden” by being ran behind the fender apron, or inner fender.

 

 

The lower lines coming in here are for the heater hoses. They’ll be neatly ran under the AC compressor to the intake and water pump.

 

 

This is not the best picture of the high side lines coming from the condensor, but gives a visual of where the lines are going.

 

 

All AC lines are made to my particular lengths, then after I’m darned sure of how long I want them, and are clocked correctly, then I sent them off to Classic Auto Air to be crimped and ready for permanent installation! That will be a glorious day! 😉

 

How pretty, and new condensor! Don’t worry, the engine compartment will be all prettied up before it’s all over!

 

An update here on 12/31/2012.  Since the above, I have painted the engine compartment, installed the 350 sbc engine and Th350 transmission, and now I have permanently installed the AC hoses that were crimped by Classic Auto Air. I have pulled a vacuum and the new system is holding~ and that’s great! I’m proud of the fit of the hoses!

 

Here is a nice shot of the service ports coming through the fender apron.  I just need to focus on a cooling fan for the radiator then I can install the new radiator I have in my bedroom!

 

 

Beneath the passenger side fender is where the AC/heater hoses, dryer, is hidden. Instead of cluttering up the engine compartment with hoses and other stuff, the engine compartment should look nice;) Notice here, the heater control valve. According to the original instructions, the heater control valve would have been located by the evaporator case under the dash, but it would have been difficult to get to if it should ever leak or fail!

 

 

Here, a snapshot of most of the system under the fender. The heater hoses, I ran along a ridge that aided in support, the secured to the ridge. I was going to run them up high with the AC lines, but I felt maybe air might get trapped, or difficult to purge the heater hoses~ I”m happy with this way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we have to have a fan~ I chose an electric fan from Classicparts.com. The fan was a little narrow for my desert cooler radiator, but I remedied that by the couple of strips of aluminum to make it fit.

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-62-Electric-Fan-Shroud-16-Single/productinfo/78-882/#.UWQPrFfhfc8

 

 

The fan switch was placed in the blue thermostat spacer.

 

The relay setup here, supplied by The Hollister Road company, owner Dave Chapman does excellent work in putting this together for me. This supplies relays for the AC compressor and electric fuel pump.

 

This is just a tag that was on the relay wiring harness~ if you need some specific wiring needs, Dave Chapman can help you!

 

Below is the blower switch. By original instructions, it was to be located in the Delux AC controls, but again, it would be very difficult to get to if it were to go bad. I made a little bracket and used a cable to make it work.

The blower switch, if it should go bad, is now easily accessible;)

 

I seriously doubt I’ll have a glove compartment. The AC kit came with a shallow glove compartment, but there is little room left. At this point, the system is completed, just wanted to show the top of the evaporator area.

 

Beneath the dash of a 59 Chevy Apache’s dash leaves very little room~ it’s tight! This is mainly speaking of the AC duct work to be ran. The middle AC vent hoses will be seen, but that’s OK.

 

 

Since this picture, the AC system is working fine! I actually haven’t driven the truck yet, but the AC blows cold air! The middle vents just clear the bottom of my 7″ screen monitor. The picture shows otherwise, but there’s adequate air flow with little restriction.

 

 

 

Well, that’s it for now! I need to get back at it~ should be a nice day here in Houston to get some work done on the truck!;)  If you’re in the market for an AC system, contact Dwight at Classic Auto air, the service is fantastic!

 

I hope you’re enjoying my labor! lol No, this is fun believe it or not! It’s a major accomplishment on my part!  Please subscribe to my site if you’d like by entering your email address~ it won’t be given out!

See you back soon!  dne’