Task Force Vintage Air Condenser install ??

[OrrieG]

Got my condenser, they say to remove the X brace, but I thought I saw some threads where guys left it in. The condenser installs from the engine side between the rad and support, and looks pretty thin. Don't want to do any extra work. Thanks is advance.

[_Ogre]

i think the 58-59 core support is a little different than the 55-57 core supports for depth, i left mine in.
the lines and mounting brackets they send really didn't make sense or fit right.
i made a hose to go into the dryer, the hard line goes thru the front turn/marker light plug hole



dryer mounted on the core support



i mixed it up a little by using the surefit condenser with the genII compac evaporator unit

[roger55]

I installed mine just like the instructions said.
I think it's just fine and overall I like the kit.

The only thing I did was strip the paint on the brackets and repaint them. VA doesn't do a good job on that. The paint on the condenser itself is fine though.

[Speedbumpauto]

I got into a little argument with the purist crowd on that X brace. I saw it as overkill and un-needed in todays world and removed it in the build stage before powder coat. Glad I did as I don't think the Vintage condenser would have fit on my 55 with it in there. It just BARELY clears the grille when mounted like the others have done it, with a suitable air gap between it and the radiator. I don't know about dimensions of later trucks, but mine is tight! Also, the X brace "might" have served more a purpose on the more flexible, stock, solid axle frame, but I used a clip and it's very sturdy in the front.

[roger55]

It's a very rigid core support. I don't think the cross bars were ever needed.

[OrrieG]

Thanks for the photos and advice. I want to keep the brace and can shim it out. Around town probably ok without it. Off road I want all the bracing I can get. I actually broke one end of the cross brace when I had the truck running so I know some force gets passed thru it (also broke a weld on the A pillar at the same time, had the frame corkscrewed pretty good).

Ogre - looks like I will follow your lead on trial and error, I know the early and later TF supports are different in the side panel louver configuration, never thought they might have a different depth. I went with the early condenser kit so the dryer is inside the engine, not exposed thru the grille.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by roger55

I installed mine just like the instructions said.
I think it's just fine and overall I like the kit.

The only thing I did was strip the paint on the brackets and repaint them. VA doesn't do a good job on that. The paint on the condenser itself is fine though.

I see your using a stock compressor. I was told by VA that you could not use a GM compressor you needed to use the Sanden. Has that changed recently?

[roger55]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

I see your using a stock compressor. I was told by VA that you could not use a GM compressor you needed to use the Sanden. Has that changed recently?

Not that I know of. I've seen lots of people do it with the VA unit.

I've got the same compressor on the VA GenIV unit in my '55 Bel Air. Works great on that one too. Already been through 2 summers on that one.

[dwcsr]

That was the reason I went with a OldAir system on my last project. I needed to use a stock brackets on a 292 and they told me I couldn't use a GM type with their system. I'll have to call them again and ask.

[roger55]

I don't think you have to ask. It works fine.

Their techs aren't always right. I've gotten a couple of very wrong answers from them recently.
One was that I was told I couldn't get that condenser unpainted. Then I saw someone who did just that.
The other was that the bracket kit they sell to adapt the serpentine setup I have (GMPP kit) to use the Sanden wouldn't work (they told me it would only work with the truck serpentine system). Just recently saw 2 people that did just that too.

[Russell Ashley]

I kept the X brace in mine but had to make some spacers out of bar stock to move it out about 3/4th of an inch. I don't think it's actually necessary to keep it as the hood latch panel also provides bracing to prevent the fenders from racking side to side. My 57 grill comes within about 1/16th of an inch from touching the bottom of the X brace so I couldn't move it any farther out.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by roger55

I don't think you have to ask. It works fine.

Their techs aren't always right. I've gotten a couple of very wrong answers from them recently.
One was that I was told I couldn't get that condenser unpainted. Then I saw someone who did just that.
The other was that the bracket kit they sell to adapt the serpentine setup I have (GMPP kit) to use the Sanden wouldn't work (they told me it would only work with the truck serpentine system). Just recently saw 2 people that did just that too.

Ok I must have talked to that same guy that gave you the bad info. Good to know it does work with the GM compressor. Maybe they prefer to sell a complete kit to make their support easier on them.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Ok I must have talked to that same guy that gave you the bad info. Good to know it does work with the GM compressor. Maybe they prefer to sell a complete kit to make their support easier on them.

I wouldn't be surprised if that were the reason.

Just like their directions to hook up the power wire and grounds directly to the battery. Totally unnecessary but makes it easier for them to rule out that problem when troubleshooting over the phone.

I didn't care for a few of the things they do with their wiring either and made mods on both my Bel Air and the truck.
I am very particular about my wiring and some of theirs doesn't meet my standards.
I trashed the non-weathersealed 30 Amp breaker they give you. I also don't like the fact they run a small wire to that same 30 Amp breaker to power the relays. The wires are not protected. I separate that off and run a smaller fuse for it.

[_Ogre]

my condenser, brackets and lines don't look anything like roger55's
they may have sent me a universal fit rather than the surefit

[OrrieG]

This is the one I got.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

my condenser, brackets and lines don't look anything like roger55's
they may have sent me a universal fit rather than the surefit

I think VA updated the kit at some point. Don't know when it was though. Got mine last May.

Orrie's got the same kit as mine.

[ChuckDriver]

I removed the X brace when I installed mine.

[OrrieG]

Thanks guys, going to apply some heat to the garage and pull off the fenders and grille this weekend so I can install the condenser.

I need to plug an unused fitting hole in one of the existing lines, do you use teflon tape on AC fitting or thread them dry. Pretty sure it is a tapered pipe thread (alternate location for pressure sensor).

[_Ogre]

i wouldn't use teflon tape, just pipe dope
most fittings have the o-ring, but the trinary switch is npt

that's how it goes, decide to bit the bullet and buy the ac package
and then install it as the snow is flying in subzero temps

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i wouldn't use teflon tape, just pipe dope
most fittings have the o-ring, but the trinary switch is npt

that's how it goes, decide to bit the bullet and buy the ac package
and then install it as the snow is flying in subzero temps

Understand about the O-ring fitting, just did not know if the ac was like brakes, no tef tape allowed. Yeah, wife will be REAL happy when I bring in the fittings, hose and installation tool into the kitchen to warm them up so I can make up the hoses!! I haven't told her about the paint stored in the back of the man cave closet....

[Roadkill58]

You should see some of the stuff my brother mixes when installing airconditioning.

When I asked if you can do that he just laughs at me.

We are going to frankenstien the air in my truck when the time comes.

My brother told me don't be scared it will blow cold air when he's done.

He is right when it comes to anything automotive.

All of our vehicles have excellent airconditioning.



.

[Wingnut1]

My '57 came to me with the X-braces cut to clear a condenser. I could probably make a new pair, but if someone has their old ones around, I could use 'em. No A/C for me just 2-50.

[_Ogre]

i did lots of hydraulic repair on hydraulic tracer and cnc mills way back when
we had training classes for various machines and hydraulic vendors
teflon tape was a no-no on any hydraulic system, it could be a cte (career terminating experience)
one little teflon thread in a valve spool in a rack of 50 valves could be a bugger to find
same goes for one little thread in the ac expansion valve or reed valve, a bugger to diagnose

i use the teflon tape on water plumbing only
no doubt someone will chime in with successful teflon stories galore
they never had a million dollar machine or their job to consider

[OrrieG]

Thanks, since I had never encountered any type of sealant on the parts I got I assumed as much. Heading outside to start removing the fenders and grille.

[OrrieG]

Pulled the fenders and grille, radiator, and ended up removing the x brace too. Other problems too, will detail in my build thread to avoid redundancy.