Looking at 66 that needs factory air conditioning repair | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

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Looking at 66 that needs factory air conditioning repair

  • Thread starter Thread starter Philt
  • Start date Start date
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Philt

Bronze Member
Reaction score
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Thunderbird Year
1956
Hello All, hope you and yours are safe and healthy.
I own a 56 with Vintage a/c, a 61 without a/c, now looking at a 66 ( wanted to find a 1960 but found the 66 first).
Car is in Phoenix about 1800 miles from me. Will likely rely on a local indie inspector. Yep I am hesitant to make a buying decision based on what a brokers " associate" may know much less tell me.The 66 has factory ac but is reported in-op as is the heater fan. Before I make any offer want some idea of how big a money pit this could be and whether I should just pass on this one.
QUESTION: Anyone had recent experience repairing the factory ac on a 66. Are the money parts ( heat exchanger, dryer and fan switch) even available?
Phil in Nashville

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Philt said:
Hello All, hope you and yours are safe and healthy.
I own a 56 with Vintage a/c, a 61 without a/c, now looking at a 66 ( wanted to find a 1960 but found the 66 first).
Car is in Phoenix about 1800 miles from me. Will likely rely on a local indie inspector. Yep I am hesitant to make a buying decision based on what a brokers " associate" may know much less tell me.The 66 has factory ac but is reported in-op as is the heater fan. Before I make any offer want some idea of how big a money pit this could be and whether I should just pass on this one.
QUESTION: Anyone had recent experience repairing the factory ac on a 66. Are the money parts ( heat exchanger, dryer and fan switch) even available?
Phil in Nashville
Click to expand...
From experience, the OEM system is rebuildable, many original parts are available new from several vendors, some you’d need to salvage and a lot of those are available. If you do it yourself you’ll save a lot of money. If you hired out an OEM system rebuilt, it would cost a fortune in labor.
Another option is a turnkey resto package like Classic Auto Air or Vintage Auto Air. They work great, fairly priced; again, save labor if you do it.
By your description this car’s system is contaminated and definitely requires replacement of all rubber items, dryer, expansion valve, inspection and cleaning/replacement of vacuum motors, temperature regulator valve, control head, compressor, clutch, plenum, and pressure testing evaporator and condenser. Once people let these systems go down, they sink to the bottom fast. It’s too bad. They’re a nice cooling system when running.
 
I honestly believe that buying a non A/C car and installing an after market kit like Seabird mentioned would be easier and a whole lot less expensive that restoring a factory A/C system. I am up against that task in my 64.
Take care
Ed
 
I should have added you’d be converting the r12 system to r134. But, no better time than a system overhaul and couldn’t be easier.

These factory AC cars all don’t work anymore and you have a sizable project on your hands or if they do work, someone has done that project and the price will reflect it.

There’s a third option. If the whole system was left intact, not missing anything, you could get away with replacing dryer, hoses, and valves, maybe replacing the compressor with a more efficient rotary Sanden, evacuating and charging and be back in service. Again, labor is the money pit, not so much parts.
 
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