Fiat air conditioner retrofit

[Warren]

I have made some labeled pictures of my retrofit of the Factory Air R-134a system. The condenser is much bigger than the original R-12 one and just fits in the available space. The furnished fan belt was not quite large enough and I had to buy a longer one. Anyone who wants the pictures can email me at whhopson@southernco.com. The A/C works great with outside temperatures at 95 F. Anyone who has a question or needs a different picture can contact me.

[spidernut]

What did it cost you and how long did it take to install?

[mdrburchette]

I've sent you an email. Where did you get the kit?

[Warren]

I bought the system last year (on sale) for $770 which was a good price considering all the components from Factory Air in San Antonio (they have a website). It took several days to install and is a lot of work. I already had a jet vacuum pump (Harbor Freight) to pull vacuum with an air compressor when ready to put in R-134a.

The supplied compressor mount bracket fit perfectly using the 2 existing studs on the engine block bottom and the top threaded hole in the block. They suppled a rear mounting bracket which I did not need or could not use for my 1979 Spider. You will need to tape some cardboard to the side of the engine bay to keep from scratching the paint when mounting the compressor to the bracket.

Be sure to check clearance of the front of the compressor clutch to the radiator hose clamp (I have less than 1/8" now but it was hitting the hose clamp).

You will need to cut out the horizontal air diverter in order to mount the condenser. The support member under the diverter will remain intact. Use a Dremel with the fiber enforced cutting disk and paint the bare metal edges. I painted everything in the front black to hide its appearance.

Be sure to seal up the supplied rubber grommets in the firewall to prevent water leakage into the passenger floorpan.

The routing of the vent hose to the driver side is on top of the radio console and then snakes it way under the steering column to the vent.

On the idler pulley mounting bracket, I may have had to install a large washer in order to line up the pulley with the engine and compressor pulley. I just can't exactly remember if the washer was supplied by them or me.

[So Cal Mark]

that's great in States where Spiders don't have to meet emission testing requirements. The compressor mounts where the air pump used to mount. In calif, that won't cut it. Some late model cars use electric air pumps, so adding one of those might be a viable solution, if you can get a smog shop to squint alittle when the inspect the car

[TulsaSpider]

Did some come the factory with air? Mine came with parts, in a box, but the blower box would seem to be in the passenger's way. I had assumed it was factory. I doubt I'll ever try to re-install, to costly I am sure.
Clark

[mdrburchette]

They came as dealer add ons. My 72 came with a/c and I have all the parts for it, but the compressor has a leak and it requires the liquid gold (R12). I may install a new system one day if I can find a condenser big enough for the R134 and small enough to fit.

[pope]

There are other gases that replace the R-12, that you can use as a direct replacment in that compressor. You dont have to buy a new compressor, but you will have to fix the leak first.

MP-39 is a direct replacment for R-12
RB276 is a mixture of R-12 and 134a

[mdrburchette]

I didn't know that. That compressor is big, ugly and heavy...so if I were to reinstall the a/c, I'd change it anyway.

[So Cal Mark]

there are many newer compressors that are lighter, smaller and more efficient than the old compressors. But I'd be leery of using a drop-in replacement for R12. Any ac shop that identifies the refrigerant as a blend will refuse to work on the system since their recycling machine will be contaminated by the blend. Some of these blends use flammable gasses such as propane. Every month at least one trade mag warns about these products

[pope]

Mark, no voodoo here.
Dupont has about 15 different refrigerants depending on use. Auto refrigerant shops only deal in R-12 and 134a, but commercial refrigeration shops deal in all. SAE decided on 134a


134a is probably one of the worst refrigerant choices that could have been made. But now we are stuck with it. There is a new standard proposed HFO-1234yf that is likely to be used in next generation autos.

MP-39 is a Dupont Suva product and a direct replacement for r-12 and uses same compressor oil

[So Cal Mark]

I'm aware that 134 is going to be phased out, I'm not familiar with mp39. I doubt if anyone without a license could purchase it, can they?

[fiat50state]

so the posts for air conditioning are pretty old. Im currently restoring a 79 spyder 2000 pininfarina. bought it back 1982 and it had AC installed. From what i can see the compressor is made by a company called standen. They offer it on ebay from a company called blue america auto parts. Yes my compressor is a R-12 unit ,so ill be retrofitting it for R-134 or something else. My stepson works in the commercial AC&R business and they use a product call "HOTSHOT" Supposedly a synthetic that is compatible with everything and its number is 404. My system also has alot of rubber hoses to be replaced. The best source ive found is NAPA auto parts. Sold by the foot and its size can be cross referenced, example a #6 equals 5/16, a #8 is 13/32 and #10 is 1/2 inch, you can aslo look at these hose sizes by going to summit racing.com and look at their kits sold by vintage air. but their prices are high .75 cents for a half inch works out $18 a foot. Napa is less then half that and i bet theres a store near by so no shipping fees and you can actually eye ball the hose before you cut and purchase . Hope this helps some of the other spyder owners. I also purchased a factory service manaul from a company called FAXON AUTO LITERATURE. wouldnt you know it, the business is about 4 blocks from where i grew up in Riversdie Ca. If you need and diagrams or tech specs just send me a email at torquem2, and thats at AOL.com.................jim

[rridge]

Here is a much more recent thread on the same topic:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 30&t=35878