Installing Air conditioning in A R-2 Avanti BY LARRY DRAKE
This is how I installed my air conditioning on an R2 Avanti.
To start with you need to decide what unit you want. I found the unit
offered by Vintage air fit the measurements under the dash best, and the
were very helpful in answering all my questions. You will need a custom
made mounting kit for the compressor, under the hood, you can make it
your self, or Meyers Studebaker, makes this kit complete, ask for Mike.
If you want to make it yourself, write me and I will send you drawings. I
used a 14/30 condenser. A universal Super condenser part #61200-vuz, a
polished compressor, with rear discharge kit,parts #sd508,#s508P.
To mount the condenser, you will have to fabricate two metal Z brackets,
approximately 14" long, securing them with rubber grommets to your
existing condenser frame in front of your radiator, this will need a
little trimming to fit. I found the best route for the condenser hoses
is, lower hose into the wheel well and up thru the flat area beside the
super charger, the other thru the small area between the headlight and
the radiator. I mounted the filter dryer on the fender, close to the
super charger.
The next thing is to mount the compressor, remove the black overflow
tank, save all parts you remove. Install the 90 degree thermostat housing
furnished in the kit, at the same time remove the steel tube, with the
heater hose attached, in place, install the bushing and 45 degree fitting
furnished, this gets the heater hose low enough to go under, the newly
installed compressor. The compressor is installed with the adapters
furnished just a little to the passenger side of the newly installed
thermostat housing and as low as possible" clearance from the hood is
critical" Us the 90 degree bracket furnished or make your own. This
bracket attaches to the front middle valley pan bolt, with a washer, the
other end attaches to the bottom right compressor hole, rear. The top
driver side, mounting holes get the steel tube spacer, and piece of flat
bar, use the furnished nut bolt and washer here. The flat bar is
installed to the rear, and terminates at the re-used bolt on the power
steering pump. Between the top of the thermostat housing and the bottom
of the compressor I installed a small piece of 1/4" rubber to keep the
two from rubbing. A third backset is needed from the lower supercharger
mount up to the front bottom mounting hole in the compressor. You now
need to determine how long the new adjusting bracket, between the
compressor and the alternator needs to be. The alternator has two
threaded bumps on top. One furthest away will have to be cut off and
sanded, to keep clearance from the hood. You now need to determine what
size of new motor mounts you will need. The existing mounts are to tall.
The engine will need to be lowered, to keep clearance from hood. In
addition you will have to check the clearance from the steering pivot arm
and the bottom of the oil pan, minimum 1/4 inch. If you find the existing
alternator is still to tall, you will have to buy a smaller diameter
alternator, all Avanti's aren't the same clearance. A possible alternate
idea is to make a offset bracket for the alternator to drop it down, a
1/2 inch. Two steel tubes welded together, will give you a pivot point.
Next remove the old heater box under the dash. At the same time remove
the blower motor. With everything removed and all cables disconnected,
you can now start measuring, for trimming the existing area, to make
clearance for the new evaporator, I made cardboard templets, to
accomplish this. Next remove the right side plastic louver and damper. I
stuffed this cavity with foam, to keep out the engine heat and outside
air. this also gives you the needed clearance for the new evaporator.
Fabricate a plate to cover the opening left from the motor removal in the
fire wall. This plate will need two holes drilled in it for the new
hoses. the heater hoses can use the same old holes. Remember you will
need extensive trimming for the evaporator to fit. When your done it will
look like factory air. You will now need to measure your hoses cut them
and have them crimped. I recommend highly you use RMACC hose company in
Phoenix. 623-776-7710. They are experts and reasonable. Using the
furnished new radiator cap adapter, and radiator hoses, install them just
over top of the power steering reservoir, leave clearance to remove cap.
I purchased 4 air conditioning grills, with my kit one round, two long
skinny, one rectangle. I mounted the 2"X5" top center the plate where
factory air was installed, with a horizontal control package just under
this..The two long skinny ones, were located under the dash by glove Box
and to the right of the steering column. The last one round 2 1/2" I
mounded in the face of the evaporator housing. One of the hardest things
to do is route the new AC hoses thru the dash, but they will fit. After
hooking up the hoses, checking for leaks. Install evacuation pump. finish
all electrical wiring per drawings (call me for drawings). Add freon,
and road test. Be sure to install grommets around All hoses and wires
thru body to prevent cutting them. If you have any questions. You can
reach me at 805-644-1240.
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