Factory Air 1970 XLT Ranger

[78whiteorbs]

Have the rarer factory air in my 70f100 and everything is there.Wonder is it difficult/work resurrecting? As is now the heater core has been bypassedand the fan is not turning on.How hard are these units to service. Is there some unobtanium parts there?

[ToughOldFord]

The parts are still available, and it is doable. But it is a PITA. Check/replace your hoses, all the orings, replace the dryer, expansion valve, if it's been down long the compressor too. Flush the system, retrofit to R134.

I did it to mine (dealer add on), not happy how much time I wasted on it, and the freon ended up leaking out the old York compressor. If I ever put the truck back on the road I'm going to put a Sanden compressor in it.


If you're bored here's my AC saga:

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a

[68RGR]

I'd be worried about the evaporator core. If it is OK, you should be able to get it running.

Because the heater core has been bypassed, you'll probably need a new one. As for the fan, it could be the switch, the fan motor, the resistor module or who knows what.

Unless you are bent on keeping the truck box-stock, you might want to consider using a Sanden style compressor as has been suggested. There's a seller on eBay who has them for a very reasonable cost. Here's one example but he has others with adapter mounts, hoses, fittings, etc:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400453945100

If you can get the system nice and tight and have access to R-12 refrigerant, that is your best bet performance wise. Many people have switched over to R-134a. But, there are quite a few who believe their systems performed better with R-12. Some say it has to do with the size of the condenser coil. That is, you should increase the condenser size if you switch to R-134a. Not having done so, I can only pass along what I have read.

I kept my system on R-12 when I changed the compressor. But, when I add air conditioning to my other truck, I just might use R-134Aa. I've already purchased the largest condenser I could find that will fit in the space available. And, it is a good bit larger than the stock coil used with R-12. So, it should be OK for both refrigerants. I managed to snag some more R-12 last week and R-134a is easy to get.

Good luck with it.