Thread: Salvage Yard Heater & A/C

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Mutt,
I had a reply typed earlier, but didn't want to be negative if someone else had made this work. All of the OEM evaporator/heater boxes are made to fit the space, to fit the evap & heater core, but more to distribute the air without need for many hoses to minimize labor on the assembly line. Every make & model, year to year is different, and like Howard says they are huge boxes. A person that knows auto HVAC might be able to gut an OEM box, fabricate a new box to fit the space, and adapt connectors for duct hoses to route the air but man, it would be a chore and might not ever work right. Vintage Air will sell you pieces/parts as you need them, and if your compressor's good no reason not to use it. Same with the condenser core, if it fits the space for you.

Yes there is. A rear air unit from a conversion van. It has a removeable front panel with ducting to the vents in the rear. You can modify it by making a new front panel with the ducting connections you want. You also have to add a thermostatic compressor switch, as rear air depends on the front air switch to control the compressor

Another one that works pretty good is an 80s VW Rabbit. It does hang down below the dash, but it is a self contained unit the sets in the center of the car. Remove the plenum from the top, and you can set up the ducts any way you want. If there is enough room, you can cut and modify the plenum, and glue it back up with PVC cement.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll check the conversion van and '80s rabbit AC out.
On hotrodders.com someone suggested 88-91 Honda Civic and the 85-90ish GM N-body cars (Grand Am, Cutlass Calais, etc.).
I don't think the N-body cars will work well because they front wheel drive cars with AC in center and the blower motor sticks through firewall which would be behind the engine.
1) Does anyone know the size of the AC unit on the '88 to 96 Buick Regal (Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix). They were narrower than the '95 Raodmaster, but still offered in a bench seat so the AC would be up in the dash.
Thanks
Mutt