When building a truck like our Project F-1, it's nice to have creature comfort without losing the hot rod flavor we all like. Air conditioning for vintage vehicles is often difficult to install and make operational while keeping the installation as clean as possible. These units can easily look like an afterthought. However, this is not the case any longer, thanks to companies like Classic Auto Air in Tampa, Florida.
While discussing our project with owner Al Sedita we mentioned that we liked his standard under-dash unit for Classic F-1 Fords, but we really wanted a more custom approach. He suggested using a Street Rod Series components and mixing and matching components to come up with exactly what we wanted.
With over 20 years of experience in the vintage automobile A/C business, he had all the right pieces necessary to complement our Project F-1. As part of the company's Hi-Performance Perfect Fit Series, Classic Auto Air offers a system that's ideal for a stock truck or a mild custom with the original dash. Although ours had been modified, we found a combination of equipment that fit our needs perfectly.
We selected an evaporator/heater/blower unit called the Power Pack that would easily fit under the original dash of the F-1 and combined it with Classic Auto Air's new rotary billet electronic control panel and a couple of custom round vents that we recessed into the dash panel. Even though the Power Pack is small enough to fit under our dash, it contains separate heating and cooling coils unlike many of the competitors. This makes for a more effective operation down the road.
Classic Auto Air also provided the proper mount for our Smeding Performance Ford small-block with an attractive fully polished Sanden Compressor. The Sanden Compressor is a state-of-the-art high-efficiency unit that draws an insignificant amount of power; it allows us to take full advantage of that stroked 347ci engine.
With all the parts in hand, the crew at Altered Engineering in Orange, California, proceeded to install the system and make for a very comfortable cab environment. The quality of the parts and the completeness of the instructions made for a problem-free installation.
Our first step was to locate...
Our first step was to locate a place on the firewall for the inline bulkhead fitting that we chose. Most bulkhead fittings that you see for street rods and trucks have the four fittings in a square pattern, and Classic Auto Air also offers those, But for this application, Don felt the inline would look better.
It was agreed that the system...
It was agreed that the system hoses would look best following the shape of the inner fender. After marking the holes, Peter drilled through the firewall. Two of the holes are for A/C lines and the other two are for heater hoses. It's important to check both sides of the firewall for obstructions and hose routing before drilling any holes.
After drilling all four holes...
After drilling all four holes and screwing in the fittings, we installed a couple of the hoses to the fittings to see how they looked and to check hose routing under the hood before we moved to the inside.
On the inside, the four hoses...
On the inside, the four hoses laid out nicely as they curved next to the firewall on the way to the Power Pack. You can also see the custom electric water control valve that Classic Auto Air provides. This valve is much cleaner and easier to install than a typical cable-controlled unit. Al explained that this innovative item was exclusive to his company.
The Power Pack was mounted...
The Power Pack was mounted under the dash and the hoses were plumbed to it. This is a nice, small unit that doesn't take up too much room and is hidden from view, yet, is still very efficient thanks to the separate heating and cooling coils.
Because of the placement and...
Because of the placement and routing of the hoses, the standard F-1 glovebox wouldn't fit. Classic Auto Air makes this nice, molded plastic unit that cures the problem and fits perfectly while still offering plenty of space for your stuff.
We slid the glovebox up from...
We slid the glovebox up from the bottom and screwed it in place, solving what could have been a major problem had Classic Auto Air not thought of this great solution.
Classic Auto Air supplied...
Classic Auto Air supplied us with an Alan Grove Adjustable mount for the compressor as part of the kit. Ford motors can be a real pain when trying to align pulleys, the water pump, harmonic balancers, alternators, and A/C compressors. There are just so many variations that Ford used over the years. This bracket has multiple adjustments that cover just about any situation. After we powdercoated it, we bolted it to the Edelbrock aluminum heads, and everything lined up great.
We then slipped the Polished...
We then slipped the Polished Sanden compressor onto the bracket and checked its position.
After slipping on the drivebelt,...
After slipping on the drivebelt, we bolted it in place.
Classic Auto Air also supplied...
Classic Auto Air also supplied a great-looking Chrome receiver/dryer for the system, and we mounted it with a billet bracket on the Aluminum Inner Fender panel. The position is directly between the compressor and the radiator condenser to keep the hoses short and tidy.
The condenser is mounted to...
The condenser is mounted to the front of the Walker radiator, and came with custom-bent aluminum hard lines that will mount to the standard rubber hoses. This is another detail that makes the Classic Auto Air kit stand out.
Before installing any of the...
Before installing any of the hoses with fittings, it's necessary to slip on these little O-rings (arrow) that seal the fittings, and then apply a little oil that comes in the kit. This insures a leak-free system.
We started installing and...
We started installing and tightening the hoses to the compressor. The hoses come extra-long with crimp-on fittings to make sure they work in different applications.
The hoses route from the compressor...
The hoses route from the compressor to the receiver/drier, condenser, firewall-bulkhead, and, of course, the heater connections on the engine. Each has different-size fittings to ease identification, and of course, the instructions inform you which goes where as well.
When all of the hoses were...
When all of the hoses were installed correctly, they were routed neatly out of the way. The inline bulkhead fitting contributed significantly to this order, and we are pleased with the overall appearance.
Back when the body and paint...
Back when the body and paint preparation were performed, the dash panel was smoothed and filled where the original radio was located. Since we installed a Custom Auto Sound Secret Audio unit under the dash, this left a perfect spot to install a recessed control panel and outlets for a custom look. With the quality and finish of the Classic Air pieces the custom dash installation was easy to operate while driving down the highway.