Installed A/C And Converted To 12V On Heather's 1954 DeSoto

[BloodyKnuckles]

Heather loves and hates her DeSoto. It is a flat-6 and a 2-speed auto. Since we bought the car we knew the wireing needed replaced. Also, she couldn't stand to drive the car during the hot months.

Well lately her car has been giving us too many electrical problems and it has been excessively hot here in NC. So while at a car show I saw an old buddy. He asked where Heather's car was and I told him that we haven't been driving it due to electrical and lack of A/C. He quickly talks me into converting the car to 12V and to install the air. He is an old car builder and is recovering from a pretty serious illness. He asked if I would like for him to do the work for a super fair price and not being an electrical or A/C mechanic I couldn't say no.

So I already had a 12V Rebel Wire harness for my International project that isn't completed yet and a Vintage Air unit for my wife's Buick gasser project that isn't completed.

So with what I had I let him work on it at his pace. He rewired everything. He made up the appropriate brackets for the A/C compressor and alternator. He neatly installed the condensor, hoses and dryer.

Today we went to pick it up. It was easily in the 90s so I figured what a better time to test it out. Driving down the road there is a noticable lack of power with the air on. The temp stays half way on the gauge while driving but when stopped it will climb.

A few things that need to be addressed are;

1. I need a new radiator. The one we have leaks and doesn't flow well anymore.

2. The block needs flushed and new freeze plugs need to go in.

3. I need to adjust the idle or install a step motor to allow for the A/C clutch kicking in.

4. Replace the heater core and fans.

5. Detail the engine bay.

All in all I couldn't be any more happier. He did the job in a reasonable amount of time (..we were away for most of it.) and we are bartering our services.

I'll keep you posted on my experience.

It doesn't get much better.

BloodyKnuckles

Edited July 19, 2010 by BloodyKnuckles

[rockable]

I can feel her pain, BK. I got off my duff a month ago and got the AC working in my pickup and my 911. The temperature motivated me and.......as I get older AC is more important.

[Don Coatney]

Do you have any pictures? You might consider adding a electric pusher radiator fan to help with the city driving engine cooling.

[steveplym]

Hey BK. Just a little info. A friend of mine installed a vintage air unit in his '71 Nova, and he had overheating problems like you are talking about which he did not have before. He ended up putting an aluminum radiator in and that fixed the problem. Told me that vintage air advised him to do that.

[builtfercomfort]

I'd suggest a fan shroud too - AC puts more cooling strain on a motor. With a good shroud (there are some good posts on the HAMB on how to make one from fiberglass or Walmart baking pans) and a good fan blade you should be able to keep it cool even stopped. Assuming the other components are ok of course.

[BloodyKnuckles]

Thanks guys.

I have a local guy who builds aluminum radiators for NASCAR and does custom rads for any car. I plan to talk with him this week. As for a shroud, I will definately use one.

I will take a few pics soon.

BloodyKnuckles

[p24-1953]

just went through all of this. i found a electric fan (on a thermostat) in addition to a 7 blade flex fan will keeep mine cool-ish... i run about 3/4 on the temp guage when the a/c is running in 100 deg weather. the fan on the thermostate helped the most because i was having a real problem with heat soak after the car was turned off. how are you planing to do your step up?

i did not have to do that... im running the stock radiator for a hydrive and stock shroud

[BloodyKnuckles]

Found out a few things today. I found that the A/C pump is bad. The bearings or something is howling. I also know the timing is too far advanced which my be causing a bit of the heating issue because it does ping heavily under load.

Just a bit of a snag but damn is it cool!!

BloodyKnuckles

[BloodyKnuckles]

So today I went by the aluminum radiator guy's place. He gave me a price of $350 for a new one. It has rounded corner upper tank and 2-1" rows. A friend put one of his in a 40 Ford coupe and claims all of his overheating problems are gone.

I'll let you know about mine.

BloodyKnuckles

[Robert Horne]

I see on Ebay there are aluminum radiators, new, for $170 delivered. "Champion Cooling Systems", in Ca. 2 row, 1949 to 1952 Dodge, "will cool up to 350 HP"........909-912-9213.....

[BloodyKnuckles]

It may be more than I could spend somewhere else but his shop is 5 miles from my house. I would rather give a very local guy the business.

I'll let you know when I install it.

BloodyKnuckles