Air conditioning, Does it work? Options

[Pat Garvey]

Not that i would even consider A/C on my '72, but I'd like to hear from those who have it (any year) as to whether it works!

When we went to the 78 Aspen Parade, we did it in a 924 (914 was in the process of body restoration - that's right, six years old & it needed resto!).
Travelling through Kansas, we noted that the condensor of the 924 was loaded up with ice. Turned the compressor off, to drain the condenser. It was 106 degress. Humidity about 85% (lived there for 2 years, so I know what it feels like). Took nearly any hour to clear the frost, in the meantime we suffered immesnsely. When the frost melted, we turned the system back on. Worked great for 30 minutes, until it iced up again. Never turned the a/c on again.

So, and I'm just curious, how has a/c worked for those who have it on a 914, assuming it is original/dealer installed.
Pat

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

THe ice, Pat was probably a clogged expansion valve. Replacing it would have solved the problem.
The factory ac and the aftermarket ac when in good condition, work FABULOUSLY
in the 914. I will never forget the time my buddy Frank and I took two chicks and identical malaga 76 914s four hours away to Hilton Head, S.C. The only difference was that I had AC and he did not. When we got there, Becky and I were very refreshed looking, and Frank and Nancy looked like rag dolls!!!! AC does make a great difference in a 914.
One caveat though is that the old systems MUST use R-12 to cool effectively. The new units with the dual condensers that we sell use r 134 effectively.
Finally, of course as you said, NEVER AC on a concours car unless, like Steve's, it had already been fitted by the original selling dealer.

Not that i would even consider A/C on my '72, but I'd like to hear from those who have it (any year) as to whether it works!

When we went to the 78 Aspen Parade, we did it in a 924 (914 was in the process of body restoration - that's right, six years old & it needed resto!).
Travelling through Kansas, we noted that the condensor of the 924 was loaded up with ice. Turned the compressor off, to drain the condenser. It was 106 degress. Humidity about 85% (lived there for 2 years, so I know what it feels like). Took nearly any hour to clear the frost, in the meantime we suffered immesnsely. When the frost melted, we turned the system back on. Worked great for 30 minutes, until it iced up again. Never turned the a/c on again.

So, and I'm just curious, how has a/c worked for those who have it on a 914, assuming it is original/dealer installed.
Pat

[Tom_T]

So George, Steve & Pat - what's the CW concensus of updateing an original dealer installed DPD or VPC AC (like Steve's VPC) with the new compressor/cond./evap./etc. of yours while maintaining the underdash vent box & front trunk shroud to run R134 more effectively cool? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

... would one get Gigged? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

BTW - I've updated our 88 Westy & 85 BMW 325e to R134, but that required little/no hardware change-out & they cool GREAT!

FWIW - since it was new, our 88 Westy's AC had inadequate condensate drainage from the overhead outlets (in the rear on Westy's due to the pop-top), so as soon as we got to TX, OK or so on our XC trips every year - i.e. as soon as the humidity went up but it was okay out in the drier west - & we got a constant icy waterfall dripping on the back seat!! Yes both rear drains were clear, but the fan ducts would cool down so much that moisture condensed on it & got blown out by the A/C's fan! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

For the trips back east I finally rigged up a wallpaper dipping tray with a drain line out the slider door to catch & drain what was blown out the vents by the CA fan! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I don't know if that ever happens with the DPD, VPC or AA systems? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

THe ice, Pat was probably a clogged expansion valve. Replacing it would have solved the problem.
The factory ac and the aftermarket ac when in good condition, work FABULOUSLY
in the 914. I will never forget the time my buddy Frank and I took two chicks and identical malaga 76 914s four hours away to Hilton Head, S.C. The only difference was that I had AC and he did not. When we got there, Becky and I were very refreshed looking, and Frank and Nancy looked like rag dolls!!!! AC does make a great difference in a 914.
One caveat though is that the old systems MUST use R-12 to cool effectively. The new units with the dual condensers that we sell use r 134 effectively.
Finally, of course as you said, NEVER AC on a concours car unless, like Steve's, it had already been fitted by the original selling dealer.

Not that i would even consider A/C on my '72, but I'd like to hear from those who have it (any year) as to whether it works!

When we went to the 78 Aspen Parade, we did it in a 924 (914 was in the process of body restoration - that's right, six years old & it needed resto!).
Travelling through Kansas, we noted that the condensor of the 924 was loaded up with ice. Turned the compressor off, to drain the condenser. It was 106 degress. Humidity about 85% (lived there for 2 years, so I know what it feels like). Took nearly any hour to clear the frost, in the meantime we suffered immesnsely. When the frost melted, we turned the system back on. Worked great for 30 minutes, until it iced up again. Never turned the a/c on again.

So, and I'm just curious, how has a/c worked for those who have it on a 914, assuming it is original/dealer installed.
Pat