automatic w/dealer A/C?

[netandtim]

I've searched this forum looking for signs that someone had an auto w/dealer installed A/C. I removed the center console to do some deep cleaning and found that a PO had used everything from screen door weatherstripping to duct tape to silicone in an effort to stop the air leaks from the ducting/spare tire deck to the actual vents. I've removed all the gunk and am now looking for ways to re-seal/re-create an A/C duct. Wondering if anyone else had this same set-up? I've also included a couple of pics of the gigantic, honking-huge A/C compressor they chose to use? Who needs that much compressor for such a little car??? A/C works like a champ and turns my GT into quite the icebox.

[soybean]

Netandtim, check out this thread, http://www.opelgt.com/forums/2b-seats-windows-interior-trim/6017-gt-heat-vent-hose.html, and the JC Whitney link. You might find the right size hose for it there. HTH, Jarrell

[netandtim]

Jarrell, thanks for the help. But I don't have actual hoses that connect the A/C to the console vents. With my setup, the cool air comes from the cond/evap under the car and into my interior behind the seats/under the spare tire deck. From there, it's about a 3 x 7 inch opening that feeds directly into my center console, which is essentially a hollow console that the forced air is directed forward to the actual adjustable A/C vents. My A/C vents are located by driver/passenger leg, to the right of the shifter, and almost at the dash. I need to figure out how they initially kept the air in the console "tunnel" instead of pouring out every little opening (screw holes, shifter area, e-brake area, etc). Below is a picture where you should be able to see the vent at the driver's leg and one aimed for passenger face.

[namba209]

The 72 GT I got to replace my 71 had the same AC compressor and it works just like you said, it throws ice cubes at me. Mine did not have any ducting on the console, all I had was an open hole in between and behind the seats because there was no AC console in the car. To be honest with you, I do not plan to put in an AC console duct, just a regular front and rear console, all the air coming out of that one hole will turn the GT into a refrigerator in a very short time. I do plan on putting a louvered cover over the outlet though just for aesthetic appeal, I just don't like to have a gaping hole anywhere in the car and the louvered panle will direct the air flow upward to the roof and everyone knows cool air falls down, so that will serve a two-fold purpose. JMTCW.

[Killer Texas GT]

The A/C Consul did not come withany type of sealer other than a foam insusulation strip condensor unit and the case that was it. Also your Compressor is no the original that came from the factory, For the GT the same GM compreesor was used but it had a sticker on it that had Fridgedaire Opel GT and Model number thes was the GM dealer installed kit they also had a unit made by ARA which used a differeant type of compressor.

[soybean]

Quick question, looking at the pictures, was this original or dealer installed. When I looked at the compressor, I didn't see a sticker on it that had Fridgedaire Opel GT. Just curious as this was/is the first AC unit I'd seen in a GT. Thanks, Jarrell

[BQS4]

Jarrell;
NONE of the Opels that were shipped here had factory a/c. All GT/Manta/Ascona a/c were dealer install or done by a sub-contractor (read custom installer)
Gene

[soybean]

Thanks Gene. I'm learning. :o Jarrell

[namba209]

Jarrell, that may be a rebuilt compressor, but it is a GM rotary type and is identical to the one that was on my GT before the fun and games started with the engine swap. IMHO, that setup is better than the ARA, only because it is a stand alone or stand off mounting and doesn't go to any other copmponent on the engine for support. The ARA uses the water pump bolts to hold it in place and can be a PITA to change the water pump. JMTCW.

[Paul]

The compressors in the above pictures are the GM A-6. Meaning they are Axial 6 cylinder models. They were the work horse back in the 70's The R-4 came in the late 70' and into the 80's. The R-4 is a radial 4 cylinder. You can spot them because the are the flat or "pancake" looking. The displacement of the all A-6's were the same only the pulley style/type changed. There were some differences in the back plates too, some had different cutout switches.

[nobody]

I noticed in the picture a piece of the clutch cable assembly was still there. Is that normal for an automatic car?

[BQS4]

Jarrell;
Another word of note, if the a/c unit you posted is one you have, it won't work if you do or have done the 5-spd conversion as the "tower" on the passenger side of the console won't allow the shifter to go int 5th. You'd have to get the other style console.
Gene

[Killer Texas GT]

Gene, I am running the GM A/C Consul and my 5-speed works great, no problem with shifting at all, plenty of room. It is a matter of lay out when you modify the shifter or was that just an accident (not hardly I took it into consideration before making the final weld up ,LAYOUT IT'S A CARPENTERS' APPROACH ).
Rodney

[BQS4]

Rodney;
I stand corrected...

[soybean]

My pictures? or the others? The pictures I have were of a Gt that a fellow had on Ebay a month or so ago.They were advertised as a "2 for one" sale When I talked to him and went to see the cars, we had met before. So I really couldn't bid on them. I'd never seen AC in a Gt and was interested in checking it out. Talk about even smaller!. I didn't realize the rear unit took up so much space!. I don't know if I would purchase them if they're offered, I have enough now. I still haven't gotten the one I bought New Years Eve. Somewhere this madness has to stop. Jarrell

[netandtim]

Namba, Is your 72 an auto? How does the two piece console fit with an auto transmission shifter? Fit okay? I'd like to do the same thing you are plan to do by about removing the center console altogether. But, I'd like to make sure I have some kind of console. What kind of louver cover are you planning on using?

Annette

[opelspyder]

Actually according to a Blitz poll the ARA setup was much nicer than the GM and worked better-basically GM tried to copy the ARA, even taking pictures at the factory. I wish they had an update to that article-many people have questions and need better pics....maybe that would be a good challenge for someone to update info and take complete pics of both setups???????

[GTJIM]

I have an automatic 1972 GT and have been collecting bits for an ARA type A/C unit for some time. The automatic uses the same centre console as the manual g/box but has a special low gear selection plate that fits under the shifter hole.
Here are some pictures of the ARA unit - complete out of the car and a nice shot of it installed - not pics of my setup but ones gleaned from here and there.

[GTJIM]

Here are some pics of the GM A/C unit:

[namba209]

Jim, that's kinda interesting, none of those pics resembles what I've got in my GT. I'm referring to everything rear of the console, because mine didn't have a console when I got it. The AC fan and temp controls are at the outlet duct opening to the console way back between and behind the seats. It looks like it was designed that way because the temp sensor coil is there too attached to the control panel.

NedandTim, my GT only had the front half of the console when I got it, and it was a 4-speed manual tranny. I've got replacement non-AC console pieces to replace that and they will work just spiffy with the T-5 5-speed I'm putting in with the 3.4 V-6. The louver set-up will be from a warehouse hardware store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) and is mothing more than a furnace duct louver panel cut to fit the opening in the duct. I just want it to deflect the airflow up to the roof of the car and forward. When the AC was operating before, the airflow out of the duct was more than sufficient to hand the ice balls that come out of the unit. and turned the car into a referigator in minutes. HTH.

[netandtim]

Okay folks, I've just spent the better part of this holiday weekend ripping out the interior of my 72 GT to give deep cleaning, replace the floor insulation, and refit the carpeting. Now I'm putting it all back together and I'm tired of trying to make the center A/C console fit I don't know if it ever fit correctly because there are so many gaps in it. Does anyone have a regular center console (no a/c vents) that will fit my '72 automatic? PLEASE let me know....willing to pay for parts, shipping and I'll even throw in some Kona coffee and mac nuts!
Thanks, Annette

[GTJIM]

Annette,
There is a seperate plate that goes under the a/c console which is fixed to the bottom of it to "seal" the air in ( I use the word "seal" advisedly .....)
Also there is a replacement gear selector plate which goes in around the auto shifter lever. Without those two pieces there is no way to keep much of the air in till it gets to the vents ... those two bits seem to be the first to be thrown away by cursed P.O.s
Just using a regular auto console and shifter plate is a viable option though - you just have a square hole behind you for the cold