1. Drain the compressor oil and recharge with a full charge of R134a compatible oil such as PAG or Ester Oil. Flush/clean any existing parts such as the evaporator to remove all traces of the old R12. Depending on the condition of the component and the level of contamination, this may be a simple matter of blowing it out with compressed air, or liquid flushing with a good-quality AC flushing agent (available at local parts houses).

2. Replace the old R12 serpentine condenser with a more efficient one. We offer a mechanically correct version of the 64-66 Mustang condenser that is a direct bolt-in replacement. Our version is a 6-circuit serpentine pattern designed to handle the higher pressures and heat loads generated by the R134a without any loss of efficiency.

3. We recommend replacing all hoses when making the conversion to 134a, but if the stock liquid and suction hoses are in good condition (not kinked or scuffed too badly, with clean flare-seats), it’s possible to make the conversion by replacing only the discharge hose. This is the hose that connects the discharge side of the compressor to the top fitting on the condenser. It is made of rubber, while the rest of the hoses in the system are made of nylon.The old rubber hoses have no barrier to prevent the R134a from passing directly through the old hose. We have the correct discharge hose in reproduction.

4. Replace or restore the filter drier. Not only is this the filter for the system, it also removes moisture from within the system. This part is designed as a throwaway part that is good for one use. It should be changed not only when converting to 134a, but each time the air-conditioning system is opened to the atmosphere. If the filter-drier is not changed, significant problems can arise from contamination to a clogged filter screen within the filter-drier, or a build-up of acids resulting from the combination of moisture mixed with refrigerant and lubricant that will corrode the system from the inside out.

5. Install R134a charge port adapters.

6. Charge with R134a to between 70-80% of the original factory R12 charge amount. On a 64-66 Mustang this comes out to 20 oz. R134a.

Note: Ignore the sight glass. It’s not unusual for a properly charged R134a system to show bubbles in the sight glass.

Breakdown of Parts Needed

11-101 64-66 Mustang condenser
12-101 64-66 Mustang filter drier
05-127 134a oil — 11 oz. bottle
13-118 64-66 Mustang discharge hose V8
14-122 Ford 134a adapter set straight

More information about parts and services for your Mustang can be found in our Mustang catalog and price sheet. On our website we also have a list of steps for converting Ford R12 AC systems to 134a, as well as a diagram of Ford service valve positions.

If you have more questions about converting your classic ride to R134a, send us an e-mail or give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.

Converting Other Model AC Systems to R134a

Converting AC systems in other models is similar to the Mustang. You’ll find helpful information for GM and Mopar 134a conversions on our website.

An Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit is a good solution when:

• The interior portion of your air-conditioning system is functioning adequately but the engine compartment components are not.
• You are more interested in performance/price/ efficiency than stock appearance.
• You do not want to replace your entire factory air conditioning system with an aftermarket one.
• Converting to 134a? You get everything needed to convert to 134a except the refrigerant itself and POA valve calibration.

Click here for more information on converting to 134a.

What is an Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit?

Our engine compartment upgrade kits replace the existing AC compressor, hoses, drier/accumulator, and stock condenser with a modern rotary compressor, new R134A compatible hoses & lines, new R134A compatible drier/accumulator and modern high-performance parallel-flow condenser.

Why an Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit as opposed to repairing a factory AC system?

Modern air conditioning systems are more efficient largely because of improved condensers & compressors.  Classic Auto Air’s high performance engine compartment upgrade kits serve as an easy way to replace the out-of-date compressor & condenser with an improved high-performance parallel flow condenser and rotary compressor to connect to your car’s original factory AC system.

Rotary compressors use only 2-5 horsepower compared to the 10-15 drawn by stock compressors.  Additionally, rumbling & vibrations and the oil & refrigerant leaks that are commonplace with the original compressor are virtually eliminated.  Some other advantages of the more efficient compressor include lighter weight, improved gas mileage and the ability to operate the air-conditioning at up to 6,000 rpm’s while the air-conditioning is running without risk of damaging the compressor or system.

Modern high-performance parallel-flow condensers help reduce air conditioning system pressures by removing heat at a faster rate than the original stock condensers.  This is particularly beneficial in helping the system run efficiently at idle, as well as increasing interior cool-down speeds both with the old R12 and newer 134a refrigerants.

Additionally, since the original rubber hoses used with R12 systems are porous when used with 134a refrigerant and the system operates at a higher pressure, all rubber hoses will need to be replaced during a 134a conversion.  Modern rubber hoses have a nylon barrier layer to prevent the R134A gas from passing directly through the hose.

These kits are designed to give years of service and are priced to be a value as compared to working with old AC parts.  Be sure to check out Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits available from CAA, including:

Ford Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits

GM Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits

Mopar Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits

Perfect Fit Elite™ Kit Components for 1967 Camaro

What’s great about the 1967 – 78 Camaro “Perfect Fit Elite™” System?

• It’s fully electronic
• Our EZ Cable Integrators™ allow simple attachment to your control head
• Our EZ Wire™color coding system makes wiring connections as simple as color matching
• You get infinite control over air displacement and temperature
• We’ve upgraded the instructions and the packaging to make installation even easier
• We’ve improved the efficiency of the Condenser

The system is controlled using the original heater control panel for all of the air diverter doors and air temperature changes.

Pre-crimped refrigeration hoses. Hi-Low refrigerant pressure switch for compressor protection.

 

Simple, color-coded connection of wiring to Electronic Control Unit.

Be sure to check out our Perfect Fit Elite™ AC Systems for 1968 – 1978 Camaro:

1967 Camaro

1968 Camaro

1969 Camaro

1970-1978 Camaro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spring introduction meant there was less competition from the usual fall vehicle introductions and is why the first Mustangs are technically referred to as 1964 1/2.  The Mustang was an instant hit and with over a million sold in the 1st 24 months, this iconic classic still holds the record for most successful new car introduction.  The compact, sporty, long hood-short deck design of the original Mustangs is an American classic.  The Mustang is the only car Tiffany & Co ever honored with is Award for Excellence in American Design.  Although the inline 6 was standard, almost 3/4′s of the buyers opted for one of the V8 upgrades.

Factory Air conditioning was not available on the 1964-66 Mustangs, although a dealer installed under dash system similar to Classic Auto Air’s “Daily Driver”™ was available. Classic Auto Air is proud to offer complete air conditioning solutions for classic Mustangs.  Check out a few of our offerings:

Mustang Perfect Fit Elite™ Model Specific Air Conditioning Systems

Hi- Po Compressor Upgrade Kit

Hi-Po Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit

Mustang Factory Parts and Restoration Services

How long have you been with CAA Don?
I have been with CAA for just at 2 years.

What do you like best about working at CAA?
A job that allows me to still be hands on in the automotive industry makes going to work a pleasure.  I get to talk to many people about what I love and what they love —- CARS!!

What was your first “classic”….or first car?
My first car was a 1975 Dodge Dart Sport.  It was the cleanest car I had to continuously push!!!  I still loved that car, though.

What do you like best about your customer classics?
I am always impressed with the unique characteristics of their rides.  After talking with many of our customers on the phone then seeing the photos of their cars, I can see their personalities and love within their projects.

What is the one maintenance or repair job you dread most?
Like most folks, I am not very fluent with transmissions.  I often leave transmission work to the “pros”.

Don's 1993 Mustang GT

Do you currently own a classic?
I own a vehicle that has become a classic.  I own a 1993 Mustang GT.  This is the last year of the Fox Body Mustang.  No matter where I take it, I still hear people comment on how much of a favorite that particular Mustang is to them or a story that reminds them of the one they had.

Answer this fill in the blank for the readers…..someday I would like to own a ……..
A garage full of every classic muscle car.  I have an unexplainable love for the old muscle cars.  But if money was no object and I could only choose one, it would be the Bugatti Veyron!!

What personal hobbies or interests might be of interest to our readers?
I love the sport of Drag Racing.  I love the noise, the smells, and all of the excitement when I go to the track.  For relaxation, I cruise over with my wife to many car shows and get ideas for potential future projects while enjoying conversations with fellow car enthusiasts.

What are some other fun facts customers might like to know about you?
I had an opportunity to help build a vehicle for the movie Fast and Furious 4.  It was a 2008 yellow with black stripes Ronaele Mustang.  We also had to build a couple of stunt cars resembling them that could be beat on (and boy did the stunt guys beat on them!).

Not only do I love the sport of Drag Racing, I myself was a NHRA driver in the Sport Compact Series.  That was a great time in my life and an opportunity that I will have the upmost gratitude for.

The best AC system in the world (and we like to think ours are pretty darn good) can’t cool the whole world.  The better the passenger compartment is sealed off, the easier it is to keep it cool.  The most common passenger compartment issues leading to poor AC performance are cracked and weathered seals on the doors and windows and no or poor insulation in the firewall and floorboards.

To help our 69 Camaro survive the Death Valley Challenge, we went to our friends at Dynamat and selected their Dynamat Extreme and Dynaliner products.  We completely gutted the interior of our Camaro and covered the Firewall, floorboard, door panels, and roof with Dynamat Extreme.  The Dynamat Extreme will take care of road noise and harmonics created by vibrations while cruising down the road.

Because our primary insulation objective was keeping the cool in, we laid Dynaliner on every surface we could find.  Dynamat manufactures Dynaliner in 1/8”, 1/4”, and 1/2″ thicknesses which are applied on locations where heat loads are highest. We applied the 1/2” Dynaliner to the firewall and the roof, the 1/4” material for the floorboard and quarter panels, and 1/8” insulation to the door panels.

We covered just about every square inch of the interior with both Dynamat and Dynaliner.  You can hear and feel an amazing difference…the sound and firmness of the body panels is noticeable when just tapping on the roof and shutting the doors!

We can’t wait to test it all in the Death Valley Challenge.  Stay tuned.

I needed to discharge the A/C system on a 1970 SS Chevelle that had a frame off restoration about five years ago.  Is there any way to tell if the system contains 134a or R12? There are no labels or charging adapters installed.  The owner is into original appearance and the rebuilders may have removed any indication of a 134a conversion.

Thank You,

D

If the car has been converted to 134a, law requires placement of a sticker indicating the type of refrigerant added.  Additionally, if this system is a conversion, you should see 134a adapters on the charge ports.

“Do it yourself” type owners aren’t always aware of the sticker requirement and they sometimes ignore this finishing step in the re-charge process.  With this said, even if there was a sticker, it wouldn’t be a guarantee.  Unfortunately, the use of a refrigerant identifier is the only way to determine what refrigerant or combinations of refrigerant are in the system.  Any good facility specializing in auto air-conditioning will typically have one of these in-house and will charge a nominal fee, if any, to check the car to identify the refrigerant.

Do you have questions about converting to 134a or are you in need of the proper port adapters for a refrigerant conversion?  If so, send us an e-mail or give us a call and we’ll be glad to offer additional information.

As John Steinbeck famously put it, our Interstate Highway system lets you drive from “New York to California without seeing a single thing.”

In another part of the book, Swift tells the story of Frank Turner, a no-nonsense engineer who oversaw our Interstate Highway program for a while.  He went to India on a trip and saw the Taj Mahal, one of the great wonders of the world.  In his diary he noted only, “Road fairly well aligned.”

We love our classic cars in part because they help us enjoy the experience of driving instead of just being a means of getting us somewhere.  Let’s all take them out this weekend on a back road that isn’t “fairly well aligned” and enjoy the ride.

At Classic Auto Air, we love to hear (and see!) from our satisfied customers.  We just finished making some custom ac lines for a 1962 Corvette and the thank you we received from the owner made our day.

Mark:

Attached are photos of the custom pieces that you formed.  These items are perfection!  You followed my templates, notes and photos better than I could have imagined.  I especially appreciate the extra tight 90° bend leaving the condenser going to the filter drier; it gave me clearance plus; magic!; workmanship at its best (I took a photo that shows you the clearance).  The short #8 tube between the bulkhead and the condenser could only be done with a custom tube; there was no room for fittings + hose; it had to be done “just right” in order to fit.  Lastly, the #8 tube from the compressor (plus a short run of hose) has a classy look and replaces what would have been some very ugly hose.  The long bend with service port is exactly what I wanted.

Again, thanks for sharing your talent and experience with my project.  Classic is lucky to have you on their team.

Ron Y.

Below are some of the pictures sent by the owner:

The images above show standard hard-line duplications.  The picture on the left shows a custom ac line that was duplicated from the original part supplied by the owner.  The picture on the right shows a custom hard-line that was duplicated from a wire sample.

The picture above shows the finished installation of the ac lines with everything fitting exactly as it should.