Vintage Air questions

[10drum]

Greetings,

I installed a vintage air system in my 69 C-10 non air truck. I took it to a local shop to have it charged. The instructions said the system took 1.8 lbs. We installed about 1.5 lbs, the high side psi was about 300, and the low side was between 35 and 40. The mechanic said I needed a higher velocity water pump fan. I bought the fan/clutch from LMC, installed it, and went back to the shop. No change. I explained to the mechanic (??), the instruction said to set the rpms to 1500, and place a whoop ass fan in front of the condenser. The mechanic (??), said he's been doing this for 20 years, that is BS, there is something wrong with the system. I called vintage air. They said it is fine, we have too much coolant in it. It should have 240 to 250 lbs on the high side, and 25 on the low, at 1500 rpms, with a whoop ass fan on the condenser. Went back to the shop, we did set it at 1500 rpm, placed a fan (they did not have a whoop ass fan) on the condenser, pulled the coolant out, and installed 1.25 lbs, then added about .10 more lbs to get 250 psi on the high side. We could only get 20 psi on the low. The mechanic (??), said the fan/clutch I bought isn't working right, WTF???

I may go buy a gauge set, borrow a whoop ass fan from the fire department, and do it myself. Before I do that and/or call vintage air back, I was wondering what experiences and/or tips others may have????

I was an electronics technician for 35 years for a pipeline company, and dealt with a lot hammer head mechanics, but I was paid to do it. I don't like paying to deal with them now.

I'd just like for it to work before summer is over.

Thanks for all replies.
Phil

[highwinger]

I have an Old Air Products front AC with an older style compressor and electric fans with shroud, but think it may be the same issue. The last time I had it charged (3rd shop), the guy said the pressure was too high because the air flow was bypassing the condenser. So they wanted me to block any gaps so any air being pulled thru the radiator would also go thru the condenser. I was able to block the major gap up top, but not the sides and bottom yet. I think it helped but I haven't had it back to that shop though. One thing he said at 40mph, the air temp dropped fine but sitting still it wouldn't. So that meant the air flow from the fans was bypassing the condenser.

[10drum]

Highwinger, thanks for the reply. I understand. What I don't understand, is if that is the issue with this system, installed in a "stock" no air truck, vintage air should provide the required equipment to remedy it, with the system. Be it a proper fan/clutch/shroud/whatever. I think the vintage air system is fine and the application should work without or without the fan/clutch that I installed, and the mechanic (??) should listen. He didn't charge me a lot, I think he is a good guy, but he's just a hammer head.

[Bigdav160]

R134a refrigerant?

What condenser? That OE one highwinger is using isn't worth a dang with R134a

[10drum]

Bigday, the condenser that comes with the "vintageair" system, that I bought from "vintageair" in Texas. I installed it in a 69 c10, that did not have factory air. It is designed to run on r-134a. I like the vette in your avatar

[Bigdav160]

It sounds like an airflow problem then. Yep, need a big ass fan in front of the condenser and check pressures.

ps. I have two of the fans in my shop

[10drum]

The shop had a big ass fan, they didn't have a whoop ass fan. You know those squirrel cage type.

[franken]

Maybe someone can define for the ignorant planning this upgrade what a big assed fan, a whoop assed fan, and which the squirrel cage fan is?

[10drum]

Ok, franken, the shop where I had the system charged, did not have a high velocity squirrel cage fan (whoop ass fan), they only had a large circular fan (big ass fan). Im gonna rent a whoop ass fan, and see what the pressures do. This has become sort of comical, I feel like a ping pong ball between vintageair and the mechanic (??). Maybe I should say MINO (mechanic in name only) hammer head.

[BK72BURB_3/4Ton4x4]

My Vintage Air system was installed by a local hot rodder who has been doing this for 30+ years. He is a one man show/shop with a wealth of knowledge about Vintage Air and A/C in general. Great guy, I just called him and he is backed up with cars and said I was his last call so he can get some work done! He's good about returning calls and may be able to fill in some blanks for you.

I'm running a 454 Chevy with 4 row radiator, Stewart Stage II high flow water pump, good fan shroud and standard flex fan and clutch. The system blows ice cold but I have not insulated the burb so front seat passengers stay cool and back seat passengers not so much.

Bill Robinson - Air Conditioning Contractor
Address: 848 Nevada St Exd, Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: (530) 478-9369

Good luck! If you tell him Brian with the '72 Suburban referred you he might charge you double ;-)

[10drum]

BK, thanks for the info. I'm gonna rent a good fan tmr and set everything the way vintageair recommended, if that doesn't work I may give your guy a call.

[highwinger]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

R134a refrigerant?

What condenser? That OE one highwinger is using isn't worth a dang with R134a

What!?!? Have a recommendation?

The problem I see with adding a shop fan to compensate for air flow means there is insufficient air flow by the vehicle when at low speeds...so poor cooling. Is there a way to get good air flow when stopped?

[Bigdav160]

Your original serpentine condenser doesn't have enough area. The one BK72Burb pictured is a parallel flow condenser suitable for R134a.

[highwinger]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Your original serpentine condenser doesn't have enough area. The one BK72Burb pictured is a parallel flow condenser suitable for R134a.

Is that a Vintage Air product? LMC?