Air Conditioning a Hornet

DocHornet

Well, after 2 long weeks, I finally completed installation of a Vintage Air A/C system in my '51 Hornet Club Coupe. The final results were very satisfying.

Mostly for my own reference down the road, I took lots of pictures and made extensive notes of my installation. This documentation can be viewed by visiting my website:
http://auldridge.org/doc.htm

www.auldridge.org/doc.htm

Keep cool!

RL Chilton

That's a great blog post, Phil. I'm sure others will find it very useful. I have to congratulate you on your choice of driver-side mounting, and single water pump pulley configuration, I think it's the way to go, as I plan on doing much of the same thing on the convertible.

Also very useful was the listing of and recommendation of tools to have in the shop for the DIYers. I think I'm going to get a crimping tool for myself, as the shops always charge an arm and a leg for this and I have to do the running back and forth to get it done.

Again, great post and thanks for sharing!

DocHornet

Yeah, That crimping tool was just shy of 200 bucks as I recall, but it's one of the best purchases I ever made. It sure makes the measuring and fitment of the hoses a simple process.. If you keep your eyes open on eBay, A/C barrier hose comes up at fire sale prices from time to time. I just picked up a 25 ft roll of #6 hose (the most used) for a mere $14.50... most places want $3-4/ft for the stuff.

Best of all, unlike trying to properly flange brake or fuel line tubing, that tool is absolutely fool proof. Slip the fitting over the end, select the correct size die for the tool, crank it down with a big breaker bar, and you're done. I've not had a single leak on 3 A/C installations so far.

Kdancy

DocHornet wrote:

Well, after 2 long weeks, I finally completed installation of a Vintage Air A/C system in my '51 Hornet Club Coupe. The final results were very satisfying.

Mostly for my own reference down the road, I took lots of pictures and made extensive notes of my installation. This documentation can be viewed by visiting my website:
http://auldridge.org/doc.htm

www.auldridge.org/doc.htm

Keep cool!

Great info, I would like to put on in my 53 Super Wasp. I have had several AC additions done to cars I have worked on and I had to re-do parts of the systems in all but one car. I will have to bite the bullet and learn to do it all my self!

GrimGreaser

Printed and filed. Great info and thanks for sharing it. Maybe the Hornet'll be lucky enough to get A/C someday, since non of my other cars have it. Well, the HHR, but thats the wife's.

[Deleted User]

Now one word of advise. You have to learn to set the cowl vent door slightly opened, as you have to have mixed air. Temp knob on dash 1/4 opened. No incoming air and your unit will freeze up and blast water out the vents. All cars with air have this system built in. When you hit a 100 degree day you will know what I mean. My system is Vintage Air, mounted under the glove box, and is 10 years old and has never been touched, and used going across this country for 6 days running. Just learn the setting on your cowl vent door and you will be in great shape. You should also put your pusher fan on an off and on switch, so when you do not have air on and you get into stop and go traffic, you can turn it on and help keep temp down. Walt Mordenti

RL Chilton

Hey, Walt! Welcome back!

[Deleted User]

If you have the Hudson Jet Mechanical Procedure Manual, go to page 140, and looking closely at figure 4 and you will see short shoe on the front side. Look at #48 and you will see shoe ends. Also go to the Hudson Shop Service Manual, 48 to 54, page 15-6 and look at figure 7 and again you will see short shoe on the front. I've been doing brakes since 1934 and have never seen long shoes on the front on any make car. Walt.