Re: [Chrysler300] 1957 Air conditioning

[Keith Boonstra <kboonstra@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi 300 folks,

I have to revisit the '57 A/C issue.  Since the last time we kicked this 
subject around in October I've been picking up parts and scratching my 
head.  And I think we're going to come up with a pretty neat setup.

I bought a complete factory system off of Ebay that came from a '59 New 
Yorker.  Turns out the compressor had thrown a rod.  So that was out of 
the picture, but I bought another used one from a '57.

I will use the condenser coil from the '59 which bolts in perfectly.  I 
won't admit how many hours it took at the kitchen table to straighten 
all the fins with a tweezer, but it did come out pretty.  The setup also 
came with a neat crazy shaped finned high pressure line that goes behind 
the grill, and which must be intended to augment the condenser.

I also bought an aftermarket underdash evaporator from the sixties that 
will look - and should work - pretty cool.

So I think the at least the planning is on the home stretch.  But here's 
my question - Should I just clean up and mount this '57 compressor in 
unknown condition, using the crossed fingers method of preventing 
problems?  Or should I at least pop the heads off and replace the 
leaf/reed valves?  Is there any easy way to test its condition before I 
mount it?

If I open it up, where might I get new gaskets and the reed valves?  I 
have spent a ton of time searching and can't find anyone selling the 
parts I think I need.

Your expertise, knowledge, advice appreciated.

Thanks.

Keith Boonstra
Holland Michigan

rob kern wrote:
> Keith,
>     Some thoughts on the A/C issue. My C has factory A/C and I added 
> rear A/C from Old Air Products in Fort Worth. I also added a 1100 cfm 
> condenser fan and a trinary switch to protect the Chrysler 
> compressor.  I'm running R-12 as refrigerant and have factory Solex 
> glass since it was a factory A/C car. The Model 900 HVAC system parts 
> are extremely hard to come by and the underdash componentry is a "Rube 
> Goldberg" scenario of Chrysler engineering at best.  Fortunately the 
> oil mechanisms and solenoids all work. Many previous owners found 
> getting the A/C system to be cold a venerable money pit with tepid 
> results. I spent countless $$$ thousands getting replacement parts , 
> etc. to get it keeping cold and working to parameters.  Starting off 
> with anything short of NOS will be a nightmare of a Stephen King novel 
> proportion.  George McKovich installed aftermarket A/C in his 
> non-factory C and is very pleased. Bill Woodman installed a '56 rear 
> unit with a Sandin compressor and is very pleased.  Merle Wolfer is 
> working on a factory unit for his D.  Jeff Carter knows these units 
> thoroughly and may be able to get you headed in the right direction if 
> you must have a factory unit.  My advice would be to contact George 
> McKovich and persue that route since you don't have a factory A/C car. 
> My 2 cents worth.  300'ly, ROB KERN
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* keboonstra <mailto:kboonstra@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>     *To:* Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>     <mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>     *Sent:* Tuesday, October 27, 2009 12:34 PM
>     *Subject:* [Chrysler300] 1957 Air conditioning
>
>      
>
>     OK Folks, our '57 300C has sat in the barn way too much in the
>     summers just because I'm too spoiled rotten to ride around without
>     A/C anymore in a car that doesn't have a flip top. And besides
>     that, it needed a few improvements that are long overdue.
>
>     After owning it now (for the second time) for 26 years, I'm
>     finally taking care of a lot of the things I should have been
>     doing right along. I'm putting in seat belts, re-installing
>     correct carbs, finally putting on that right side mirror, fixing
>     up the armrests, and maybe I'll throw a set of WW radials on it so
>     it can safely hit the road.
>
>     So now I would also like to install a complete original A/C
>     system, and I don't know where to start. Who out there might have
>     everything I'm going to need to accomplish this (both the parts
>     and the knowledge)? I know this won't be cheap, but in my view it
>     will add that much long term value to the car. And it will add
>     immensely to our pleasure in heading halfway across the country
>     for a meet.
>
>     Who's got parts or ideas for a starting point? Your thoughts?
>
>     Many thanks,
>     Keith Boonstra
>     Holland, Michigan
>
>     
>


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