OK, need to put an air conditioner in my 1800E. Already have the dual pulley, so was thinking it might be easier to put a second alternator where the A/C compressor goes and then find some sort of compact DC-powered A/C unit, maybe from a camper or RV, under the dash. It ain’t a huge space to cool.

Any suggestions about successful creative approaches at air conditioning? Or about DIY conventional kits for this vehicle?

Check out "Vintage Air" located in San Antonio Tx. They can cool anything.

They can but only Robert Foltz makes the correct bracket needed for a B18 or B20.

I've heard that "Vintage Air" in San Antonio Tx. has or can make a kit for just about any car.

If needed, I have the compressor bracket (and belt adjusting pulley) available that mounts the compressor at a 45 degree angle to clear the 1800 hood line. - Dave

Dave,
Will your compressor bracket work with a rotary compressor or is it for the large York style that was typical in that era?

When you ask--will it work with a Sanden compressor?� do you mean will one just bolt on?� �--� no, these are original mounts made for the York compressor as there was no such thing as Sanden "in the day".� � BUT -- they are very sturdy & simple in construction and the hard part of fitting to the block is already engineered and accomplished.� To mount the Sanden 4 "ears" would need to be welded and drilled.� Could be from scratch - or cut from a steel bracket already made for a Sanden.� thanks for the inquiry,� Dave

Robert Foltz is the man that makes the Sanden compressor brackets. (570) 689-2886. Email rwfwle1800@verizon.net

Tried emailing Mr. Foltz but the listing is rejected as non functional. I try the phone number.

I was able to contact Mr Foltz and order his compressor mount for my B20E engine. I recieved it today and immediately installed it. The fit and mounting holes were exact as the order included the mounting bolts (hardware). I haven't purchased a Sanden or Sanyo compressor yet to verify the pulley alignment. I have the idler from the old instal but I have no idea where it was formerly attached. I check the right front of the block head and the only stud recepticle I could locate was the one for the alternator bracket. Is this used for both?

Hello,

There should be a 7/16" x 14 tpi threaded hole above the hole for the alternator bracket to mount the tensioning arm that the A/C idler pulley is attached to.

However, IIRC, the very early B20E cylinder heads didn't have this hole so an additional bracket is required.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

If an additional bracket is required to mount the idler pulley, where does that bracket attach to and how does the idler fit on to it. Is there a source that can provide the bracket or does it have to be a custom fabrication? My engine apparently is an early B20E, as the only thing above the alternator bracket hole is a freeze plug! The curious thing about my 1800 is that it had A/C installed that was removed, along with the old original upright compressor mount bracket. I have the old idler but can't figure out where to attach it!

Hello,

Can you post a picture of what you have?
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

I would post a picture if I could figure out how. When I hit Image URL spot it doesn't allow me to submit my picture but takes me to a image library of other pictures?

Hello,

Post the web address of the picture and I'll try to get it to appear.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

I don't have a web address for the pictures but I can send an email with the pictures attached if you provide an email address.

Hello,

"hiperfauto" at h-o-t-m-a-i-l DOT com


--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Bob Foltz usually includes the pulley and mounting bracket with the compressor bracket.

AFAIK, Bob charges extra for a tensioner pulley assembly.

I can't remember if he gave us a better price for buying both at the same time, but we recently bought his B18 compressor bracket and tensioner pulley assembly and I know the 2 parts together cost more than just the compressor bracket alone.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

I haven't bought a bracket from him in a long time. Both were included but I left my original pulley bracket installed that was dealer installed.

Julio,
Thank you for that name. I don’t think I could find it otherwise. My stuff is a mess!

I keep him in my phone contacts.

The original bracket won’t support a rotary style compressor. At one time I had the name of a guy that fabricates brackets to mount the rotary compressor to the B20 engine. I’ll have to dig through my “stuff” to see if I still has his name. Others on the BB may also remember who it was.

I got tired of my 242's OEM system being unable to keep up with southeastern US heat. So I 86'd the entire OEM HVAC system except for the dash vents and bought a universal street rod kit from Classic Auto Air. A bit of fabrication, but it works like a champ.

No idea what the amps/draw is on the type of DC system you're thinking about. Never occurred to me to go all electric....gotta think there's a reason you don't see more of that in cars/trucks.
--
82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek

Yeah, my wife's 2013 Gen III Prius has a great electric system. Engine doesn't even have to be running. Was hoping to get one of them from a salvage yard, but unfortunately they run on 200+ volts. There's a video on YouTube, Redneck A/C, where a guy cut a square hole in the backseat panel of his hot rod and stuck in a cheap Walmart window A/C. Then mounted one of those little Honda camping generators on a plate and stuck it into his trailer hitch. Very creative, and I guess it got him to/from car shows. I'd like something a little more elegant. Most of the camper/RV units I've seen require external mounting.