Help! The Air Conditioner I Got Doesn't Fit My 280Z

[Redwing]

Sorry, mixed the words.  The evaporator is ok I think.  As I said I will be seeing Sam later on.  Have a vet appointment with Deanna first.

Thanks,

Jai

[hr369]

could you  get away with a radio thats not as long? I just measured my factory hitachi radio and its 5" long.  Perhaps it's shorter than that pioneer you've got now?

[gwri8]

 

deleted

Edited August 30, 2016 by gwri8
not enough coffee yet.

[Dave WM]

after re looking at the orig pics I realize my condenser (front of engine) would only be a benefit if you had a stock setup (forgot yours was after market).

It very hard to give advise remotely, its really going to be up to your mechanic as to what course of action. I see 3 things possible.

work out new aftermarket setup issues (fitment of radio and working of ac unit)

Fix orig aftermarket (much harder to source parts).

Return to completely stock (very hard unless you have a complete donor car to pull from, and then you still need to make sure those parts are good). to do this you would need to search CL in your area and buy a real cheap rusted out body, haul to mechanic, let him rob what is needed (controls/mag valves/hard lines/evap/housing/compressor mount etc...). I have seen cars in the 500 to 800$ range to accomplish this. This is a major league thing so it prob the most difficult path.

 

Its really going to be up to what you mechanic has to say.

Edited August 30, 2016 by Dave WM

[Redwing]

I am with Sam right now.  He is getting a replacement valve that switches it from cool to heat.

We have discussed the control slider problem.  The bracket he made to put in place of the slider control, has to come out.   It is definately not staying in because it is defacing RedBird.  

If these 2 problems can be taken care of, I say great.  I will do ok.  The slider control is my idea, Sam came up with the idea for the valve switch for the cool/heat.  We can make yhis work without totally removing the AC unit.

More later,

Jai

[Dave WM]

Good luck with it, I am pulling for you!!

[Redwing]

6 hours ago, hr369 said:

could you  get away with a radio thats not as long? I just measured my factory hitachi radio and its 5" long.  Perhaps it's shorter than that pioneer you've got now?

That Is what Im looking for now.  Thanks...

[Redwing]

On Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 2:05 PM, Dave WM said:

Good luck with it, I am pulling for you!!

Thank you.  I think it is resolved. See my long post.

Jai

[Redwing]

Hi all,

After an emotional weekend, here is what I have decided to do.

Yesterday Sam and I went to a local parts store and picked up a new heat/cold control for the lines in the motor.  Now the AC is working perfect, the part sent with the kit even tho new was non functional.  Now what to do?  I thought back when I first posed the AC subject, and remembered a lot of you were saying to just go with the full new unit.  Saying that if I could gather the 40 year old parts and make up a workable unit, but who is to say if they would work for me?  Or if so, how long would they work before dying.  Just go for the new.

About the disfigured area where the control slider unit  lives, I told Sam that it had to go.  We will re install the slider control,  with it being a facade.   It will be non functioning, but keep the normal appearance to her.  There was a small bracket included in the parts sent with the AC unit to attach those 2 twist knobs for fan and cool control.  Sam will put it in an area which will be discreet, and still be handy.  Along with the single pull knob that will control the defroster.   I'll share photos of the finished console and the new control bracket.

As to the radio not fitting, I will just search and find one that will fit now.

Sending huge thank you's to all who have made suggestions for this endeavor.  I could not have made it without your support.

I'm praying this will have the best outcome for me.

Jai

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Redwing

 

 

 

[brownclee]

I think the reason your radio doesn't fit is that it is much larger than the factory radio.  With the factory evaporator housing, there is little room left for a radio....especially an aftermarket one.