So how hard is it to add A/C back in the car?

[zdeckich]

So I have had my 78 Malibu wagon for a little over a month. It looks like what most people do on the gbodys is take out the AC. Under the hood the only thing that's left is the Dryer. I would assume i would need a compressor and a condenser. What else do you think i would need? I don't have a pic of under the hood at the moment but i can get one soon. Anything else i need to check to see if i have? It has working heat and it works amazing lol.

 

[motorheadmike]

Go to RockAuto and buy one of everything. Plus, then there are all of the wiring considerations: is it there or do you have to buy/find/build it too?

 

[zdeckich]

Go to RockAuto and buy one of everything. Plus, then there are all of the wiring considerations: is it there or do you have to buy/find/build it too?

Thats what im afraid of. But i don't know what all to look for that might still be in the car.

 

[motorheadmike]

Truthfully, after you have done your rough assessment of the state of your remaining components you may be better off buying an entire car that has everything. One big reason is core charges, the other is the OEM components are better quality than the off-shore replacements. I would imagine there are lots of A/C equiped G-bodies in and around Texas.

 

[gbodytoys]

So I have had my 78 Malibu wagon for a little over a month. It looks like what most people do on the gbodys is take out the AC. Under the hood the only thing that's left is the Dryer. I would assume i would need a compressor and a condenser. What else do you think i would need? I don't have a pic of under the hood at the moment but i can get one soon. Anything else i need to check to see if i have? It has working heat and it works amazing lol.

Classic Auto Air - Complete Kit $800 (if you still have the evaporator)

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/like/400753107340?lpid=82&chn=ps

You can use aftermarket kits from:
vintage air
or
oldairproducts

 

[Texas82GP]

Compressor and brackets, condenser, new accumulator (drier), flush evaporator (or replace), new orifice tube, new manifold hose assembly, new to you (good used) liquid line (if it is missing).

 

[Longroof79]

Do you have all the compressor mounting brackets and liquid line that crosses over the fan shroud?
You'll need refrigerant hoses, new compressor(of course), receiver drier, new condenser, evaporator core, and once you have the HVAC box apart, you may as well replace the heater core as well.
As for the compressor, I would avoid purchasing a reconditioned unit...new is better. I went with the AC-Delco R4 rotary unit. They're made in Mexico rather than China.

You could opt for the Sanden compressor, which you'll need to buy mounts for, and have refrigerant hoses made for your application.

Jared beat me to it....

 

[tc1959]

It's hard.....

 

[foxtrot]

It seems relatively easy if you have $800..

It's hard.....

 

[TURNA]

The hardest thing will be the brackets and i am sure they are on ebay if you don't have a junkyard near you.