[mysticmissle]

My 69 bird is a factory AC car, currently non functioning, not sure how much or how little it needs to function properly, but it was removed from car to do some R and R on the front support and engine swap. My question is, an entirely new vintage air system, is about 1500, and I assume would function better than a restored 1969 AC system? I think I can clean up the firewall considerably with the aftermarket AC as well? Car originality is not necessarily important over function. although a fully functioning factory system is not a bad thing either thanks for your input.

[dataway]

Wondering about the same thing myself. I have all the original parts ... trying to decide to go with them or aftermarket .. for me originality is a bit of a concern.
Looking forward to the responses.

[Peter Serio]

You would want to investigate the new systems; I am sure those work well and it is guaranteed that the parts will weigh less than a whole (original) 1969 GM system. One thing that I always wondered about is the new air systems that I have seen do not "pull" any fresh air in from the cowl inlet at the firewall Those all seem to use 100% interior air from side in the car both for heating and cooling.

Back when I was working a Buick Fisher body always made a big deal of the fact that all GM built cars bring "fresh" air into the interior (both for heating and/or cooling) and then the car would release a certain amount of the old air out of the car. This was done via that pair of one-way vents located in the rear of the doorjambs.

I am sure that GM did that for a reason, but the new AC systems; because they are a retro fit can't be installed to work that way.

It's a trade off, but at least all thew new systems use modern refrigerant so in case of a leak that stuff is much less harmful to our environment.

[vertigto]

I'm in the same boat with the AC components on my 70 GTO.

I received some advice here to check out Classic Auto Air (aftermarket systems)/Original AIr (OEM/restorations) and am seriously considering their Stage 3 kit.

Here is the website - https://www.classicautoair.com/gener...tioning_gm_ac/

They have model-specific aftermarket systems for non-AC cars, as well as upgrade kits and replacement parts. They do restorations too...but not cheap.

[mysticmissle]

that's kind of where I am at, I need new condenser, hoses, and god know what else. unless the car is super rare, I don't think it makes sense to dump equal money into a 50 year old system.
Car in question is/was an 6cyl one barrel, 3 speed manual. Its nice and I am glad to own it but I would not say it is rare, and its in good shape for a 52 year old car, but its not pristine. Its a driver. It is going to be 455 powered day 2 type car.
more opinions coming please.

['ol Pinion head]

My suggestion would be for '68 & 69 GTO guys to research & pay close attention to board member Beargfr had with his less than positive experience after installing aftermarket AC in his '69 GTO street machine.

Personally, I know properly functioning original '69-72 A-body AC systems will freeze one out. I've never gone through the AC system in a '68, but it's basically the same set-up.

[tjs72lemans]

the new air systems that I have seen do not "pull" any fresh air in from the cowl inlet at the firewall

I'm not so sure that is correct with Original Air's system. You use your same dash controls, unlike Vintage Air and some others where you do lose that function.

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

My suggestion would be for '68 & 69 GTO guys to research & pay close attention to board member Beargfr had with his less than positive experience after installing aftermarket AC in his '69 GTO street machine.

Curious what issues beargfr had? Did a search of all of his posts and didn't see a topic title that looked relevant.

[1968GTO421]

Originally Posted by vertigto

Curious what issues beargfr had? Did a search of all of his posts and didn't see a topic title that looked relevant.

First time I've looked at Heating/Cooling since it turned cold months ago, hence did not see your post til now.

If you couldn't find any BearGFR posts on A/C here, you might try the GTO forum where he is a moderator-

https://www.gtoforum.com/

Only other thing I can think of is a PM.

Luck!

[tom s]

A friend of mine just had a Vintage air installed with the factory compressor,looks dead stock unless you really know what your looking for.Tom

[vertigto]

Ended up going with Original AIr's Stage 3 kit...I think it will work out great.

https://www.originalair.com/68-72-po...t-134a-stage-3

[Gary H]

I have installed probably 5-6 Vintage or Classic Air systems in Pontiacs. Hands down, they function far better than the original units. The primary improvement is in air flow. With a Vintage Air system you can hear the air blowing through the vents 5 feet away from the car. It also is a much cleaner, and lighter, weight wise setup.
If I was into originality on a valuable, numbers matching, car I would go with the original A/C system. If I was going for functionality, Vintage Air, without a doubt.

[Bruce Meyer]

On my 69 GTO I went with the factory system but I use a pro6ten compressor and a modern parallel condenser. I also took out the evaporator and cleaned it real good. It was packed with dirt and leaves. I used R-12. The thing will freeze you out even when it gets to 110+ over here in Phoenix. The pro6ten compressor barely pulls any power from the engine. Unlike the stock compressor which makes the engine feel like it lost a couple of cylinders. The factory setup also just looks cleaner.

[lilabner]

Originally Posted by Bruce Meyer

On my 69 GTO I went with the factory system but I use a pro6ten compressor and a modern parallel condenser. I also took out the evaporator and cleaned it real good. It was packed with dirt and leaves. I used R-12. The thing will freeze you out even when it gets to 110+ over here in Phoenix. The pro6ten compressor barely pulls any power from the engine. Unlike the stock compressor which makes the engine feel like it lost a couple of cylinders. The factory setup also just looks cleaner.

I use the original AC system in my 61 Catalina with the Por6ten compressor also.
Everything else is stock including the Hot Gas Valve which you can easily rebuild. I found a Fan motor from a big truck (same size) that I had to slightly modify which works better than the stock one, which you can't find anymore. I made my own hoses with barrier hoses, which I have the tools for. My biggest change is the freon. I use Duracool 12A refrigerant and have for 10 years. It doesn't leak out and my wife complaines that it's too cold. Also use their A/C oil chill which is compatible with Ester, Pag,and Mineral oil. Most places won't recommend it though, probably because they never tried it. I had lots of AC techs work for me and most of them are "factory framed" and afraid to try anything different.. This is used by the Military and in Europe. It's cheap and works great..

[Jonsey]

Originally Posted by tjs72lemans

the new air systems that I have seen do not "pull" any fresh air in from the cowl inlet at the firewall

I'm not so sure that is correct with Original Air's system. You use your same dash controls, unlike Vintage Air and some others where you do lose that function.

Vintage Air has a conversion kit so you can use the factory 1969 firebird controls with their electronic pots. It took me an evening to get my factory controls converted over.