AC kit for 1972 Datsun 240Z to use with original indash controls in panel

[jalexquijano]

Recently bought a 1972 Datsun 240z that has never had an AC system installed.

i really need to know if the there is any kit that will fit perfectly in this car
with no components hanging down underneath the passengers
glove box? Will i be able to opérate it using the original indash ac
control knobs actually present in the car?

The kit i want should be controlled by the original indash panel controls and not by an additional set of controls as i dont want to modify anything in the car.


Any good advice?

[psdenno]

Courtesy Nissan kit $999.99 - made for your car.

However,you stated that you want to use stock dash controls to operate the AC. That won't happen. None of the stock sliders are made to supply switched power to the AC or adjust the level of cooling. The existing sliders merely close and open ducts and valves.

The AC kit is not obtrusive and can be placed under the dash, out of sight.
Dennis

[jalexquijano]

Courtesy Nissan kit $999.99 - made for your car.

However,you stated that you want to use stock dash controls to operate the AC. That won't happen. None of the stock sliders are made to supply switched power to the AC or adjust the level of cooling. The existing sliders merely close and open ducts and valves.

The AC kit is not obtrusive and can be placed under the dash, out of sight.
Dennis

Thanks for your prompt reply. I was really considering on using the stock controls that came in the heater panel of the car. But due to your advise i will have to settle with the following options to choose from and rely and your final advice on the most efficient kit for this car:


Motorsport! Complete A/C Kit, 70-73 240Z R-134A - The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts

1970-1973 240Z A/C (R134 freon) :: Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com

Vintage Air - Inventors of Performance Air Conditioning - www.vintageair.com (http://www.vintageair.com/flipbook/)


I want a powerfull full cooling unit and slide controls i can adapt indash. I dont want to use underdash controls.

Awaiting for your response.

[zKars]

I've done three Vintage air conversions to Z's in the last few years and will do another on a 510 this winter. All went well and function very well. There is at least one thread on here about those conversions. One person did a very nice job of using the stock control panel levers to actuate the Vintage Air electrical controls hidden behind. This required extensive modifications to the control panel as you can imagine, but its possible.

These installations are very very custom in nature, and require about 50-70 hours to complete. You have to fabricate EVERYTHING, from compressor brackets to control panel integration, underdash evap and blower mounting, air plumbing, A/C and heater piping and wiring. The dash has to come out and you go from there.

[jalexquijano]

I've done three Vintage air conversions to Z's in the last few years and will do another on a 510 this winter. All went well and function very well. There is at least one thread on here about those conversions. One person did a very nice job of using the stock control panel levers to actuate the Vintage Air electrical controls hidden behind. This required extensive modifications to the control panel as you can imagine, but its possible.

These installations are very very custom in nature, and require about 50-70 hours to complete. You have to fabricate EVERYTHING, from compressor brackets to control panel integration, underdash evap and blower mounting, air plumbing, A/C and heater piping and wiring. The dash has to come out and you go from there.

Which of the Air Conditioning Kits and indash controls will fit and cool the best for this car? They offer the GEN II MINI and some other models. I would not like to see anything hanging down the passenger´s floor.

Such as the following kit advertised on EBAY:

Datsun 240Z 260z 280z Complete AC System | eBay

I trust on your advice and await for your response before ordering the kit.

[Oiluj]

That was me who modified the stock controls. Really wasn't that hard, but did take some tinkering.
Made new control cables from hobby store materials and some minimal sheet metal brackets made with just normal garage tools.
Will try to find some pics of the finished assembly.

[jalexquijano]

That was me who modified the stock controls. Really wasn't that hard, but did take some tinkering.
Made new control cables from hobby store materials and some minimal sheet metal brackets made with just normal garage tools.
Will try to find some pics of the finished assembly.

Please guide me and let me know which is the best kit in the market?

[psdenno]

Please guide me and let me know which is the best kit in the market?

I doubt that there is one "best kit" in the market, but rather different kits that are "best" for meeting the needs of various buyers.

If you ask me which is best, I'll tell you it's the one I have from MSA. If you ask Oiluj, he'll tell you the best is from Vintage Air. It's kind of a case of pay your money and make your choice based on factors that pertain to you and your Z.

Are you able to do the fabrication work yourself?
Will someone else be installing the kit?
Is cost a factor?
How important is it to use the sliders to control the AC?
And more.

All of the kits will make your Z cool and comfortable, especially if you have a set of rear window louvers. Only you can decide which is best, in part, by using the recommendations of others in this group. Based on my 41 years of owning an air conditioned 240Z, I can attest that the MSA kit provides ample cooling when the outside temperature is 118º where I live in the desert.

Good luck on your search!
Dennis

[jalexquijano]

I doubt that there is one "best kit" in the market, but rather different kits that are "best" for meeting the needs of various buyers.

If you ask me which is best, I'll tell you it's the one I have from MSA. If you ask Oiluj, he'll tell you the best is from Vintage Air. It's kind of a case of pay your money and make your choice based on factors that pertain to you and your Z.

Are you able to do the fabrication work yourself?
Will someone else be installing the kit?
Is cost a factor?
How important is it to use the sliders to control the AC?
And more.

All of the kits will make your Z cool and comfortable, especially if you have a set of rear window louvers. Only you can decide which is best, in part, by using the recommendations of others in this group. Based on my 41 years of owning an air conditioned 240Z, I can attest that the MSA kit provides ample cooling when the outside temperature is 118º where I live in the desert.

Good luck on your search!
Dennis

The work and fabrication will be done by the shop that installs the AC KIT here in Panama, Central America where the temperature is 36 degrees Celsius. I just want a kit that can accept an indash modification without altering the original look and cool the car enough.

[psdenno]

Hopefully Oiluj can give you some tips on how he did his control panel.
Dennis

[Oiluj]

I agree with Dennis that which kit is best is a matter of application and opinion. They probably will all work about the same.

Here's a link to pics of my controls modifications.
http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/i...-part-1-a.html

Here's a link to the pic of the controls installed with new control graphics printed on self-adhesive mylar on a laser printer.
http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/a...-installed.jpg

[jalexquijano]

I agree with Dennis that which kit is best is a matter of application and opinion. They probably will all work about the same.

Here's a link to pics of my controls modifications.
http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/i...-part-1-a.html

Here's a link to the pic of the controls installed with new control graphics printed on self-adhesive mylar on a laser printer.
http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/a...-installed.jpg

Just Perfect. The same thing i want to do. Which kit did you bought? Does it really cool the car and does not leave any component hanging under the glove box? Temperature is really an issue so i need something that also blows really cold.

Also please send me a list of the parts i will need to purchase to complete this task mantaining the stock look of the panel as close as possible.

[Oiluj]

I went with the vintage air Gen II in-dash system. It works fine for our SF Bay area summers, (85-95 degrees F). __Others have posted it works fine for summertime in the Southwest.
Just buy the complete package and you get everything you need. You can even get the tools to fabricate your own hoses.

In terms of the controls modifications, I just sort of "cobbled-it-together" as I went along. I'm looking thru my files for better photos you can use for guidance.

[jalexquijano]

I went with the vintage air Gen II in-dash system. It works fine for our SF Bay area summers, (85-95 degrees F). __Others have posted it works fine for summertime in the Southwest.
Just buy the complete package a4nd you get everything you need. You can even get the tools to fabricate your own hoses.

In terms of the controls modifications, I just sort of "cobbled-it-together" as I went along. I'm looking thru my files for better photos you can use for guidance.

Thanks for your great advice and support. There are 3 different models: Vintage Air Gen II Super, Mini and Compac. WHich of these 3 models should i purchase:

http://www.vintageair.com/flipbook/

For your ready reference you may find them in page 45 and 46 of the catalogue.

My car is a 1972 240z, manual 5 speed transmission, 2.4 L just as yours. I have seen other kits in the internet but just want to be sure i choose the correct model that i can adapt to the heater control panel just as you did. It is important that the ac kit really cools the vehicle, does not take much horsepower away from the engine and its components do not fall down the passengers glove box.

Awaiting for your reply. The temperature in Panama is 31 degrees Celsius with 62 per cent of humidity.


Greetings,

Jorge

[Oiluj]

Jorge,

I installed the "Gen II Mini" unit, their smallest unit. It's only 1.5" shorter and 1/2" less deep than the more powerful "Gen II Compact". The Gen II Compact would be a tight fit, but might be work. You can order/rent a mock-up" unit from Vintage Air to verify the fit.

Vintage Air now has a nice control panel that would retro-fit into the center control panel that was not available when I did my installation. It would require cutting a hole in the stock control

I'm gathering up photos of my A/C install to put together a photo-essay of how I did installed my system, If I have a good enough package, I'll post it in the next two weeks.

Happy 2014!

Julio

[jalexquijano]

Jorge,

I installed the "Gen II Mini" unit, their smallest unit. It's only 1.5" shorter and 1/2" less deep than the more powerful "Gen II Compact". The Gen II Compact would be a tight fit, but might be work. You can order/rent a mock-up" unit from Vintage Air to verify the fit.

Vintage Air now has a nice control panel that would retro-fit into the center control panel that was not available when I did my installation. It would require cutting a hole in the stock control

I'm gathering up photos of my A/C install to put together a photo-essay of how I did installed my system, If I have a good enough package, I'll post it in the next two weeks.

Happy 2014!

Julio

THanks Julio. Does this model really cools the car? Please be advised the temperature here is 31 degrees Celsius with 62 per cent of humidity.

What parts will i need besides of the evaporator?

[Oiluj]

THanks Julio. Does this model really cools the car? Please be advised the temperature here is 31 degrees Celsius with 62 per cent of humidity.

What parts will i need besides of the evaporator?

Jorge,

At the very minimum you will need:
• Evaporator
• Controls Module
• Condenser
• Drier
• A/C Compressor
• Compressor Mount. (purchased / fabricated)
• Compressor Belt, (and maybe a pully wheel for the belt).
• Hoses & Fittings
• Safety Switch
• Misc. Mounting Brackets / Fasteners (these will be custom fabricated)

I suggest you go to the Vintage Air site and look at their “Basics of Air Conditioning” link. It will make things much clearer.

[jalexquijano]

Jorge,

At the very minimum you will need:
• Evaporator
• Controls Module
• Condenser
• Drier
• A/C Compressor
• Compressor Mount. (purchased / fabricated)
• Compressor Belt, (and maybe a pully wheel for the belt).
• Hoses & Fittings
• Safety Switch
• Misc. Mounting Brackets / Fasteners (these will be custom fabricated)

I suggest you go to the Vintage Air site and look at their “Basics of Air Conditioning” link. It will make things much clearer.

I just contacted Dreamers Rods & Pickups N.W. - The Source for Chevy and Ford Restoration and Performance Parts. which is a company that carries this evaporator and they have asked me the following questions:

What finish compressor would i like? V-belt or serpentine?

Billet aluminium control or just an ABS plastic pod?

Rubber A7C lines or stainless braided and plastic vents or billet?

WHy all these questions? Isnt there a company that sells a straight forward kit? So much hassle to purchase this kit online?

[jalexquijano]

Jorge,

At the very minimum you will need:
• Evaporator
• Controls Module
• Condenser
• Drier
• A/C Compressor
• Compressor Mount. (purchased / fabricated)
• Compressor Belt, (and maybe a pully wheel for the belt).
• Hoses & Fittings
• Safety Switch
• Misc. Mounting Brackets / Fasteners (these will be custom fabricated)

I suggest you go to the Vintage Air site and look at their “Basics of Air Conditioning” link. It will make things much clearer.

Julio,

Thanks for all your great help and guidance on setting up the AC Conditioner on my 1972 Datsun 240z.

Please be advised that based to the fact that i can get a Sander 508 rotary compressor at US$120 and some other parts in Panama, Central America which is where i will have the car in a couple of weeks, i have limited my purchase to the following parts:

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...uz-a/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...-shq/overview/

Do you really think it is necessary to purchase a Condenser and Drier selled by this company as part of the Vintage Air Gen II mini kit? Or i can use universal parts that i can get here in Panama to really cool the 240z?

[Oiluj]

Universal parts will work fine. The in-dash unit looks identical to my Gen II unit, and the controls look fine also.

[jalexquijano]

Universal parts will work fine. The in-dash unit looks identical to my Gen II unit, and the controls look fine also.

Julio,

Which of the following rotary fan swich shall i purchase besides of the 4 lever horizontal?

http://www.vintageair.com/2012catalo...Page%2075).pdf

[Blue]

The work and fabrication will be done by the shop that installs the AC KIT here in Panama, Central America where the temperature is 36 degrees Celsius. I just want a kit that can accept an indash modification without altering the original look and cool the car enough.

Dang I was just in Panama before Christmas looking for Z folks and parts. I'll definitely look you up next time and hopefully take a spin in a Z with AC!

[Oiluj]

If you set it up like I did mine, get the "fan mode" switch. It just controls fan on / fan speed

[jalexquijano]

If you set it up like I did mine, get the "fan mode" switch. It just controls fan on / fan speed

I have purchased the following parts in Summit racing and would like to know what parts of the heater control panel will be compatible with them:

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...-shq/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...-vus/overview/

I will be really pleased if you can guide me step by step on the adaptation to the panel. I would not like to damaged the plastic panel of the car.