'65 A/C Retrofit?

I'm making good progress on my '65 Galaxie 500 4D Hardtop, 352. The car was originally non-air, and I'm working toward retrofit, probably with a Vintage Air setup, with a Sanden compressor. I picked up an AC compressor bracket on ebay that was for a 390. Since I'm a little green with the Fords, and I didn't have air to start with, I'm not sure how to proceed with the bracket & belt setup. BTW, I do have factory PS installed. Anybody got some good pictures, or can otherwise give me some direction and education about the mounting of all this stuff?

Dhop,

I haven't been out to the yard in a while (salvage yard) but will probably go sometime after Christmas. I will be glad to look around and see if there is an FE with AC I can get some pics of, but it will be after Christmas.

Just a thought...... If you are buying an aftermarket setup it should come with everything you need I would think.....

Keith

I used Old Air Products AC/Defrost/Heat kit in my 63.5 Galaxie, it's a FE motor so the bracket set-up they sent with it was for a FE truck.., hey it worked. I used Vintage air set-up on my Ranchero a bit hight priced, but excellent product. The Old Air Product system was considerably cheaper, and it too is a pretty nice product, I got the complete package for less than $1000.00. I didn't want the under dash unit, because it takes up to much space, and look to cluttered, so I brought the behind the dash unit (which only leave the vents exposed). But if you already have your sanden compressor, your package could be a bit cheaper.

Thanks. My concern also is the belt arrangement. The AC bracket appears to be fixed, so I'm not clear on how the tension adjusts. Does the A/C share the belt with the PS pump, and thereby the adjustment of the PS pump tensions A/C belt, or will I need to find a double pulley for the water pump? Then how's it adjust?

Originally Posted by dhop

My concern also is the belt arrangement. The AC bracket appears to be fixed, so I'm not clear on how the tension adjusts. Does the A/C share the belt with the PS pump, and thereby the adjustment of the PS pump tensions A/C belt, or will I need to find a double pulley for the water pump? Then how's it adjust?

The older system used a YORK compressor with a separate drive belt w/ adjustable idler. As the FE never had a SANDEN setup, it will have to be custom made or a conversion FEAD kit. VINTAGE AIR should offer some solutions.

Originally Posted by dhop

Thanks. My concern also is the belt arrangement. The AC bracket appears to be fixed, so I'm not clear on how the tension adjusts. Does the A/C share the belt with the PS pump, and thereby the adjustment of the PS pump tensions A/C belt, or will I need to find a double pulley for the water pump? Then how's it adjust?

The compressor bracket is stationary (it's the same base for the york compressor), it use a dual groove water pump pulley, the PS and AC has their own groove on the set-up, and it has a 3 groove crank pulley.





Also, I use my factory selector switches in the dash to controll it (AC/HEAT/DEFROST), instead of adding the additional controller that came with it. Also, I used the opportunity to change out the PS pump and bracket to a later model (then what I had).

Thanks for the info and pictures. Looks like I'll need some new pulleys to start with. I'll go from there.

Hi, what is that AC idler tensioner and bracket off of? Not in my 60-64 parts book and I like its looks. Thanks

Hi this is the site i have been looking at there prices seem a little better. Nostalgic air parts 1 888 977 8889. They have the ideler pully in a blow up for thier mount kit. I don:t know anything about them, i just pulled them up on goggle. It looks to me like they are selling the same stuff as classic only cheaper. I have had good luck with classic also, just bought a compresser [ made in china] a few months ago it is a sanden knock off and works fine. Hope this helps bob

These pictures are from a frame swap I did in 2008 on a 66 with factory A/C. They are not the best but may help a little.