With all of the different systems available from Vintage
Air, it can sometimes be confusing as to which unit
will give you the features you need. In this article, we'll
discuss the differences in the Vintage Air systems
currently available. This will allow you to select a
system for your vehicle that will best meet your
needs.
For your classic vehicle, Vintage Air offers
three distinct choices in air conditioning technology for
your application:
1. Our Sure Fit Series
2.
Gen II Series
3. Gen IV Series
Sure Fit Series
Our Sure Fit Series of
systems offer customers with select applications a
complete heat, air conditioning and dehumidified
defrost system designed for easy bolt-in installation
with a minimum of modifications. These kits include
a specially designed evaporator along with a
compressor, compressor bracket, hose kit,
condenser assembly with drier and safety switch that
are designed specifically for each vehicle.
Gen II
The Gen II Series of systems
provide customers with an all electric system of
universal components. Without having to use cables
or vacuum to operate the systems, the Gen II Series
provide much of the flexibility in comfort you would find
in a late model heating and air conditioning system.
Utilizing electric servos to operate the doors of the unit
as well as the heater control valve, Gen II units can
provide either air conditioning or heat directed through
the dash vents, to the floor, bi-level (both dash vents
and floor) and defrost. An air selector control allows
you to select where the air exits into the passenger
compartment while separate heat and air conditioning
controls allow you to adjust the blend to keep you at a
comfortable temperature in any weather condition. A
big advantage of the Gen II system is the ability of the
servo motors to open the doors further than a cable or
vacuum unit. By opening the doors further, Gen II
units gain a considerable advantage in airflow over
cable and vacuum units. The servo motors also allow
for a more compact design making total unit
dimensions smaller than comparable cable and
vacuum units.
Gen II evaporator units are
available in the following Sure Fit Kits:
1953-
55 Ford F-100
1956 Ford F-100
1947-55
Chevrolet Pickup
In addition to these kits, Gen II technology is also
available in three universal configurations: 61005
Gen II Super for the largest sedans and wagons,
68000 Gen II Compac for coupes, smaller sedans
and wagosn and the 66005 Gen II Mini for the
smallest cars and trucks.
Rather than working with factory controls as the Sure
Fit Series systems do, Gen II systems can be
customized with a wide selection of universal in dash
and underdash controls. The Gen II systems can also
be customized with upgraded in dash or underdash
vents as well.
While the Gen II Sure Fit Kits will include a
compressor, compressor bracket, hose kit,
condenser assembly with drier and safety switch as
part of the package, universal Gen II evaporators allow
you to hand pick components to create a custom
system for your application.
Gen IV
The Gen IV Series of systems
represent the cutting edge of technology available
from Vintage Air. Utilizing technology developed
during our involvement in the Ford GT project, this
system represents the next step in the technical
evolution of the Vintage Air product line.
The Gen IV Series of units feature an independent
extruded aluminum plate fin evaporator coil and a
cupro braze parallel flow brass and copper heater
coil. Unlike competitors' units that simply stack these
coils one beside the other, the Gen IV coils are truly
separated with a blend door between the two. This
design provides enhanced airflow inside the unit over
stacked coils and produces instant temperature
change in response to control adjustments.
A further refinement in the Gen IV systems is the use
of stepper motors rather than servo motors to operate
doors inside the unit. While servo motors allow
smooth operation in set positions, the servo motors
found in Gen IV units provide an infinite number of
settings. Thus, the Gen IV provides infinite
adjustment between vent, floor and defrost settings as
well as infinite temperature control settings. To further
the flexibility in adjustments, an infinite speed control
is incorporated into the fan assembly.
A popular modification on many cars and trucks is
filling all of the factory holes or "smoothing" the
firewall. With Gen IV Sure Fit Kits as well as with the
universal Gen IV Magnum, smoothing the firewall
does not require any factory modifications to your
Vintage Air evaporator unit. On Sure Fit Kit
applications, simply remove the aluminum hardlines
installed on the unit and fabricate your own lines
between the unit and either bulkhead fittings or a
bulkhead plate in the firewall.
Gen IV technology is currently available in the
following Sure Fit Kits:
1968-76 Chevrolet
Corvette
1955-57 Chevrolet Passenger
Car
1967-69 Chevrolet Camaro
1970-73
Chevrolet Camaro
1970-73 Dodge
Challenger/Barracuda
Additional Sure Fit Kits are being released throughout
the year. Check with your favorite dealer or Vintage Air
sales representative for the latest kits available.
For universal applications, Vintage Air offers the Gen
IV Magnum universal evaporator unit. This unit gives
you all of the advantages of Gen IV technology in a
package adaptable to a wide variety of applications.
The Streamline Controls available for the Gen IV
Magnum universal unit are just as cutting edge as the
unit itself. The newly designed Streamline Controls
for the Gen IV feature a printed circuit board with LED
lighting that connects directly into your dash lights. A
big advantage of this design is the elimination of the
thermostat capillary tube on the control panel itself.
While Gen IV units utilize a thermister found directly on
the unit, the only thing connecting the controller to the
unit is a wiring harness which can be extended. This
allows for a larger variety of control mounting options.
As with the Gen II universal systems, you will need to
select a compressor, compressor bracket, hose kit,
drier, condenser and safety switch. Upgraded in dash
and underdash vents are available as well.
When assembling your Vintage Air system, don't
forget to dress up your system with such accessories
as a polished compressor, bulkhead plate, chrome or
polished drier and stainless steel braided lines or
stainless steel hardlines. Ask your dealer for more
details.
Whether it is the ease of installation of a Sure Fit Kit or
the cutting edge features of a Gen IV system, H & H
Classic Parts can supply you with the Vintage Air
system that will be just what you're looking for.
|
