one more question about a/c (outside the box)

[p24-1953]

okay, i know im beating a dead horse here, i have resigned to switching the car over to 12 volt. but i was thinking last night. with the limited under dash space in our cars there has to be some way to get a/c with out killing all the passanger foot space. and i started wondering.... on my 77 vette the evaporator was housed in the engine compartment in a fiberglass box along with the fan. Why couldnt this set up be adapted to our cars? what is stoping us from modifying the box that houses the heater core to also house a evaporator? and use the existing fan to blow the air? with the fan running 12v, shouldnt it run faster? and in turn blow stronger?

[55 Fargo]

Lou Earle has added AC to on e of his P15s, seemed to fit right nice, he used the radio and Clock openings for the vents....

[Frank Elder]

There are trunk mounted units as well.

[p24-1953]

yeah i have look at the trunk mounted version thats the way i think i will be going.

[Frank Elder]

But it's such a "tiny" space are you sure you can find room for it?:D:D:D

[Plymouthy Adams]

Fred..the 53/54 dash is not in any fashion like that of a D24/P15 clock hole..non existant..radio thin and wide..this car is better with under the dash style mounted vents or you don't mind invasive, 2 1/4 inch holes in the dash..

Edited August 10, 2009 by Tim Adams

[p24-1953]

so tim what do you think of the heater core/ evaporator idea?

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think for all practical purposes that the original heater in these cars go in the trash can if upgrading to AC...the small footprint models out there today with the all in one package of heater/defrost/AC in both analog or fully electronic controls are hard to beat. The heater controls of the 53/54 if you have the two slide two switch globe unit, these are 100% compatable and upgradable to connect the under dash analog unit directly to these contrils for a smooth clean look...the cardboard duct under th hood is antiquated and cheesy at best...to add an evaporator to the existing unit to provide a needed blend door would be just too much work and could be a nightmare in itself to get it all in one box...then you still have the original heater blower motor of 6 volts to contend with...think it out full...not the best answer...I think a Hurricane 1000 would be ideal for your car...the smaller 165 series under the dash or the package mounted unit and add dusting to the front..the ducting can get involved and be bulky in appearance..

I do not recommend the electrnic package..it is propriotory in nature, repairs are limited to the owner due to parts available across the counter..the analog controls however are basically all interchangable between makes and models...easy to trouble shoot easy to find replacement parts for very little money out the pocket...think RMA when doing this mod...reliability, maintainability and availability..this is the formulas for success..