1968 Ongoing Discoveries

[franklinair]

Today I started disassembly around the front end of the car, prepping to replace the A/C condensor:
It has the original grille (very good shape) with the Marchal brackets. The fog lites are Lucas, not in good condition (rusty/crusty). Both side marker lites were inop (internal corrossion, raunchy bulb sockets) Grille & wide grille mouldings-wrong color, E-Z fix. Lucas stanchions butchered (I think Bob Teets has those).
Are Marchal lites available? Priced beyond reason? What about Lucas?
I'll check E-bay for the side marker lites.
I'm awaiting word from Classic Auto Air: their compressor bracketry doesn't line up correctly, and I'm using the original factory brackets/idler pulley
To be continued.

Neil

 

[Mosesatm]

Today I started disassembly around the front end of the car, prepping to replace the A/C condensor:
It has the original grille (very good shape) with the Marchal brackets. The fog lites are Lucas, not in good condition (rusty/crusty). Both side marker lites were inop (internal corrossion, raunchy bulb sockets) Grille & wide grille mouldings-wrong color, E-Z fix. Lucas stanchions butchered (I think Bob Teets has those).
Are Marchal lites available? Priced beyond reason? What about Lucas?
I'll check E-bay for the side marker lites.
I'm awaiting word from Classic Auto Air: their compressor bracketry doesn't line up correctly, and I'm using the original factory brackets/idler pulley
To be continued.

Neil

Neil,
How far off are the brackets from lining up? When I installed their compresssor bracket I had to elongate the holes a little. If I remember correctly any two holes would line up but the third one was about 1/8" off.

I have more Lucas lights that I know what to do with so shoot me a PM if you want a set.

 

[whodat]

Who has the gaskets that mount under the for light pedestals?

 

[Mosesatm]

Bob Teets

 

[nates68]

Neil, check out Mustangs unlimited repo Marchal lites $299.00 with covers. I just ordered a set.

Nates68

 

[dalorzo_f]

The Marchal repros are very nice, but not "correct". Great price, I paid over $100 more with NPD about 4 months or so ago... ;-(

 

[franklinair]

I'm going to stay with the Lucas lites. Arlie has offered to help me with them. I should have the A/C upgrade completed tomorrow, and install the export brace & Monte Carlo bar.

Neil

 

[dalorzo_f]

Was asked about the "not correct" comment.

I believe some of the marking on the glass are not corect for per OEM. I don't have one handy, packed away in the garage, but in the next day or so I'll get a photos and compare to the one on the ID page here and Pete Disher's drawing from the Coral Sanke site. I do not have an original for a side-by-side comparison, just the Lucas lights I posted the drawing of a while back.

It is minor, and the new repros will look pretty much identical to all but the over-the-top-attention-to-detail-is-it-exact types.... very nice pieces.

 

[franklinair]

Completed the underhood A/C installation today. Evacuated the system down to 25" vacuum. I'm letting it sit o'nite and will check the gage to see if it holds (no leakage, I hope!!)

Neil

 

[franklinair]

The old man needs some help again:
The Lucas lights that Arlie sent me are Super!
The PO used some morphodite hardware when mounting the lights- carriage bolt for the stancion on the bottom of the light! I have ONE of the correct sleeved nuts to secure the now correct lights, but only one :-(
Does anyone have a spare sleeved nut they can part with? I have all the rest of the correct mounting harware. NPD sells the mounting harware kit, but I hate to spend $95 just for a nut!

Neil

 

[joedls]

Send a PM to Bob Teets. I'm sure he can help you out.

 

[franklinair]

Got'em!! Mike Jewell (somethingspecial) saved me

Neil

 

[franklinair]

Cranked it up yesterday: Tweaked the new carb (Edelbrock), Ck'd/set the timing (Pertronix III), Ck'd the new A/C setup (Classic air) rotary compressor, new condensor & drier, expansion valve, hoses. Good pressure readings, air temp @ registers=45 degrees with great volume of flow (after re-doing all the in-dash parts- re-sealed all ducting joints, and verifying/adjusting A/C vacuum control actuators).

Neil

 

[dalorzo_f]

Did you buy the Classic Air setup as a kit or part-by-part, assuming from the "actuators" comment you have all OEM dash stuff?

Did you have to remove the latch support to get the condenser and drier out and back in?

How well did it install? any issues? Looking for a kit to add the the Green Monster that is getting underway...

 

[franklinair]

My CS is a factory A/C car. While I had the dash all opened up I repaired the A/C Control Switch ( thanks to your advice) and then checked the operation of the vacuum actuators. Then I checked all of the ducting & joints for proper sealing, and repaired as required.
I replaced ALL of the underhood components (compressor, condensor, rec/drier, expansion valve, and hoses- all compatible for R134A freon. I opted for the recommended oversize condensor for more efficiency.
I removed the grille & hood latch support to gain access to R&R the condensor & drier. Easy fit. The hoses are a no brainer- they'll only fit one way. I routed the hoses and secured them to the export brace, going to the expansion valve.
The compressor was at first difficult until I spoke with a Classic Air tech guy. He told me to mount the compressor & adapter plate & "U" bracket all loosely, then align the compressor with the pulleys, and THEN secure all the bolts/nuts. That worked well. After everything was secured I evacuated the system for 4 hours to assure all moisture was removed from the system. Let it sit overnight @ 25 inches of vacuum to verify a tight system. Charged the system as per instructions (it took about 20 oz. of freon. Gauges read 15 psi on the low side, 150 psi on the high side. Air temp out of registers was 45 degrees in a 70 degree environment (heated hangar).
I recommend the Classic Air system based on cost, quality, and tech support.

Neil

 

[dalorzo_f]

So they provided "everything" under hood? All brackets, pulleys, etc as well as "AC" parts? Looking to add AC to a '68 coupe and in spite of huge headaches with my first one (almost done) do prefer the look of the OEM dash vents and controls over the add-on setups many of the vendors provide.

Did you replace the evaporator too?

 

[franklinair]

Yes, everything I needed for 'under the hood'. I did not need the pulley, as my car already had that from the existing A/C system. But they can also provide that if you need it. Just tell them of your particular configuration, and they can furnish what you need.
I did not replace the evaporator, as it did not leak nor was it clogged. (The evaporator is easy to check: (with the expansion valve removed, low air pressure application applied in one fittiing, check for air flow thu the unit. Leakage- or non leakage is verified by the system holding its vacuum) I have never found a bad evaporator in these older Mustangs. They are much more stout than the thin walled type found in modern cars. (Chrysler is the worst offender) I advise friends that have cars with leaking evaporators that its much cheaper to add a can or 2 of R134 than pay to have the evaporator replaced ($1500+/-).
I wouldn't envy anyone installing an original system in a non A/C car, as you have apparently done. I would opt for the aftermarket version,

Neil

 

[dalorzo_f]

I wouldn't envy anyone installing an original system in a non A/C car, as you have apparently done. I would opt for the aftermarket version,

Neil, you're a real smart guy! :wink:

I think the Ford engineers looked at the under dash stuff, said "how big can it be to actually install", and then made if bigger... :icon_pani

I can't imagine how anyone on a line with 2.3925 minutes to get it installed actually did it.

My next one will be after market. Thus, the questions.

Did you look at other vendors, or buy where you did on word-of-mouth or past experiences...??? Sorry for all the questions, but as its a big cost, with big shipping to Oz, don't want an "ooops"!

 

[franklinair]

I chose Classic Air based on word of mouth, and have been very satisfied with their products & tech support. I'm not familiar with their 'in dash' components, as I didn't require any of that.
I've done the R&R of the factory A/C system many years ago to facilitate cowl repair, but this old body of mine can't do those kind of contortions anymore
I AM curious as to how their in-dash works as far as control of air temp control (blending), windshield defrost, and heater ducting.

Neil

 

[Mosesatm]

I'm installing a new Vintage Air system, using OEM controls and vents, in my non-AC car.

The kit includes parts that replace the exiisting controls and vacuum hoses with electronic controls. I'm also using OEM vents just because I was lucky enough to have a complete unbroken set.

Classic may have a similar system.