Opinions wanted on the best A/C for a 58 Impala

roger c

roger c

Well Known Member
The time has come for me to put A/C on my 58. I would like to know some personal experience with A/c units in a large car. I need the coldest air possible for the 100 degree plus Texas summers. I have removed the OEM heater assembly completely, so I was thinking about a heat & cool combo, but i can do a separate heater if need be.
I am only concerned with the evaporator, I already have everything else.
 
P

Phil Reed

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 10
If it was me Roger...I'd go with Vintage Air. AC and heater all new and ready to install. I wouldn't use any of the original parts.
 
roger c

roger c

Well Known Member
Hi Phil, I have been looking at their Gen II Supercool evaporator. I just have never used one before. I have used Old Air Hurricane units & am not as pleased with them as I thought I would be. I will not be using any 58 original parts at all, I already have the Sanden compressor, bracket (I will make), Superflow extra large condenser, drier, hose kit & all the fittings. I really just need a good evaporator unit.
 
1958 delivery

1958 delivery

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 2
Vintage Air, you can buy just the parts you need from them as opposed to the entire kit. Their condensors are too small anyway and their brackets look like crap but the evap should do the trick
 
roger c

roger c

Well Known Member
You know, back in the early 80's I worked at a Subaru dealership installing air conditioners in the new cars. They came in from the port without a/c & we had a factory a/c kit for them that we installed at the dealership.

I have never seen an aftermarket A/C unit that will blow as hard & as cold as the factory units I installed back then. I wonder why there is not an aftermarket a/c that will perform as well as the factory ones?

I think I'm going to go with the Vintage Air Gen II Supercool evaporator. They are about $450, a little pricey but I'll be happy if it blows hard & gets ice cold.
 
threeimpalas

threeimpalas

 
Supporting Member 1
roger c said:
I have never seen an aftermarket A/C unit that will blow as hard & as cold as the factory units I installed back then. I wonder why there is not an aftermarket a/c that will perform as well as the factory ones?
Click to expand...

OEM systems have a lot more optimization to them in regards to component sizing and selection. The aftermarket systems have to be much more generic and "one size fits all" (or maybe "3 sizes fit all"). The old R12 refrigerant also performs better in the "cooling" department than the R134a that's mandated for newer systems.
 
roger c

roger c

Well Known Member
For as large a car as a 58 Impala is, there is very little room for an A/C. I made my compressor bracket for a Sanden type compressor & there is no room for a mistake. The clearance for the valve cover, the battery & the hood are all very close! I'm not sure & would like to see a pic of an OEM unit on a 58 with a 348.
Also there is not much room behind the dash for the evaporator unit. The steel rods that support the dash are in the way & there is a shelf about 4 or 5 inches from the top of the dash that extends out from the firewall.
I can't remember but did a factory air on a 58 mount behind the dash, under the dash or in the trunk with the clear plastic vents in the package tray?
If anyone has pictures of a 58 with air both factory & aftermarket, I would sure like to see them. I am almost finished with mine, but it has been a chore!
Thanks,
Roger
 
P

Phil Reed

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 10
Roger....call the folks at Auto City. They are 58 specialists and might have pictures. 800-828-2212.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top