Air Conditioning for the 63 Riv

[63 RIV MOE]

Any info on getting AC installed on my 63. Under hood looks doable, inside outlets look challenging.

Thanks for any tips.

[Turbinator]

Took me 5 seasons to get cold air in my 63. Tips- if you are mechanical the evaporator  under the dash is right hard to get in. Now for someone that is mechanical and flexible I suppose putting the evaporator  and connecting the AC HOSES (3) under the dash is routine. I would swap out the STV UNLESs it is working. No sense in rebuilding the STV is unreliable once it is fouled up. Use an STV up grade. I took off the AC muffler because oil was pooling up and stopping up the works. Stick with R12 if possible. R12 provides coldest air. Make sure vacuum actuators 3and 4 work. If not use a single dual

port work around. Put in new vacuum hoses that are color coded. Make the vacuum switches 1,2, and 3 work.

hope this helps

Turbinator

Edited December 13, 2021 by Turbinator (see edit history)

[TexRiv_63]

Sounds like you have a non-factory air car, correct?

[63 RIV MOE]

Yes. Non factory AC.

[Turbinator]

7 hours ago, TexRiv_63 said:

Sounds like you have a non-factory air car, correct?

Don, you read very well. I made the wrong assumption. I thought the gent had an AC system that needed to be reinstalled. I would think putting in a new AC system daunting UNLESS, I had experience with automotive AC before hand.

[TexRiv_63]

I recommend using a Vintage Air conversion package for heat, A/c and defrost. In some ways having a non factory air car makes things easier in that you much less to remove with little effect on the underhood area. Negatives are different brackets needed for the compressor, having to add the dash vents which will not look as good, and not having the beefed up cooling system that A/C cars came with.

[63 RIV MOE]

I have decided to not alter the car with AC, Keeping it original.  Thanks for all your input.

[Turbinator]

On 2/23/2022 at 12:41 PM, 63 RIV MOE said:

I have decided to not alter the car with AC, Keeping it original.  Thanks for all your input.

Moe, wise move.

Turbinator

[Turbinator]

On 12/14/2021 at 12:50 PM, TexRiv_63 said:

I recommend using a Vintage Air conversion package for heat, A/c and defrost. In some ways having a non factory air car makes things easier in that you much less to remove with little effect on the underhood area. Negatives are different brackets needed for the compressor, having to add the dash vents which will not look as good, and not having the beefed up cooling system that A/C cars came with.

At this point in the game, for most of us, is buy a car with a working AC. If the AC in the car is not working MAYBE it can be fixed. UNLESS you have mechanical experience and or HVAC knowledge a retrofit is not the best move…in my opinion. I’m happy to be wrong. I’ve got cold air. I have not heard from the majority on this forum

ask questions about AC and report a solution producing cold air. Must be something to it?

Turbinator