1961 evaporator core repair | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1961 evaporator core repair

  • Thread starter Thread starter Machinist
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Machinist

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Thunderbird Year
1965
I may buy a 1961 TBird. When my Master mechanic who is excellent goes to do a complete maintenance procedure on the AC and it leaks at the evaporator core that's buried behind the dash what is the solution? Don`t you have to remove the dash to change out the evaporator core? That's scary. If by chance there are no leaks, instead of refilling with R12 I have heard that R134a can be used but the proper procedure must be followed. After vacuuming there is a lubricant that oils/preps the system before adding R134a. I am very leery about a 65 yr. old system. Anyone come across these scenarios? Definitely impacting my decision to buy. This is my first post !!! Thank you all and please advise and share your knowledge.

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Machinist said:
I may buy a 1961 TBird. When my Master mechanic who is excellent goes to do a complete maintenance procedure on the AC and it leaks at the evaporator core that's buried behind the dash what is the solution? Don`t you have to remove the dash to change out the evaporator core? That's scary. If by chance there are no leaks, instead of refilling with R12 I have heard that R134a can be used but the proper procedure must be followed. After vacuuming there is a lubricant that oils/preps the system before adding R134a. I am very leery about a 65 yr. old system. Anyone come across these scenarios? Definitely impacting my decision to buy. This is my first post !!! Thank you all and please advise and share your knowledge.
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Yes. It's very labor intensive. I just did this on my non-AC 62 Convertible in order to replace the heater core. If you take your time and tag & bag all the parts - and take lots of pictures - it can be done. If you have to pay a mechanic the labor cost will be eye-watering.

To be clear, if you are somewhat adept at car maintenance, and have time and patience, it can be done. Nothing magical or mysterious about it, it's just time-consuming.
 
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My '65 has original A/C system. Needs a recharge but, R12 not available except older cans online,etc and do not really know condition. So, found a local shop that has good reputation for switching over to R134a. Not a job for 1st timer backyard mechanic that does not have proper equipment for capturing discharged material, flushing system, etc.
 
lcboyer said:
An old mechanic friend told me the 60s Thunderbirds were the hardest cars to work he ever encountered. I believe him
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I would put the 3rd generation Corvette with a big block as worse than a Rocket Bird. I know, I have both.
 
lcboyer said:
I’ve never worked on corvettes. I grew up in a Ford garage
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Growing up I worked on everything! Dad had whatever was cheap and currently running. Then he got a couple of raises and bought a new car in '73. A Mercury Capri. He traded in my favorite car for pennies,a '67 Galaxie 390 fastback. A little later he swapped a dying '65 F250 for a '63 GMC, that was the first engine I got to rebuild. That got traded in on a '75 Chevy 2500 4x4. I took that to my driver's test. My uncle had a penchant for Chryslers, and I got educated doing everybody's dirty work. I actually get along with all of them, but my preferences usually make most people shake their head.
 
My first car was a black HT 1963 TBird no AC. Red interior.Bought it in 1976 with 63k on it. $200 bucks. Gas was 29 cents a gallon and 1 week later gas "shot up" to 35 cents a gallon. I discovered the wheel sliding and delay wipers by accident! I ran a stop sigh and a Chevy Impala t-boned me. My drivers window was down.The glass did not break !!! The Impala took the worst of it.I just drove away after exchanging insurance info. I once backed into a telephone pole showing off at 20 mph. No dent in the bumper but the pole had a wedgie. 63 TBird was an absolute tank. It would have won a Demolition Derby. I will be more careful with my next TBird !
 
And a question...has anyone installed Vintage Air in either a 1963 or a 1965 TBird? Where are the best videos of the installation? Thank so much!
 
Having assembled a 63 convertible Bird that was a bare firewall (not even insulation) I concur that the AC evaporator is a major project. If there is the slightest question about a leak anywhere then replace the evaporator and hoses. While you are at it also replace all the vacuum hoses too. If you are retired and dedicated it will take you a month if you have the FORD manuals.
 
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