AIR CONDITIONING IN A BIG HEALEY

Hey y'all,
I know, put the top down but was curious if anyone knows
if there is such an animal available out there. I remember
a friend of mine got a 1967 BJ8 when it was new in 1967
and had A/C installed by the dealer. Of course he had
money and I was driving a Ford Falcon but that's another
story. Moss makes a kit for the MGB but never seen anything
for a Healey. Any ideas ?
Thanks,
Mike

I love AC too. I had a 1965 Mustang convertible with AC and I loved it to death. Don't take grief on this... you ar not alone! (Although you and I are in a very small minority).

Follow this link. A/C in a Healey

Bret is a member of the North Texas AHC and has recently air conditioned 1/2 dozen or so cars.

Tim

I Believe that Paul Tsikuris in Lakeland Fl. has done a few of these as well...

bighealeysource said:

Hey y'all,
I know, put the top down but was curious if anyone knows
if there is such an animal available out there. I remember
a friend of mine got a 1967 BJ8 when it was new in 1967
and had A/C installed by the dealer. Of course he had
money and I was driving a Ford Falcon but that's another
story. Moss makes a kit for the MGB but never seen anything
for a Healey. Any ideas ?
Thanks,
Mike

Click to expand...

What you saw in '67 was probably the 'Factory Approved" AC made by Coolaire in Miami, FL. They made a lot of AC's for British cars. The original units can still be had but are extremely hard to find. I had one installed in my car back in the seventies and sold it a few months ago. I converted to a under the dash installation from Bret Blades of Blades Design in the Dallas, TX area. His installation has a bracket for the "rotary compressor" and an American alternator that replaces the from Generator bracket. The only way to go! Parts of my installation is on photobucket.
Patrick

After reading this, I see a major wintertime project in my future.
Does the under dash evaporator box also contain the heater core ?
Ed

Lynn Martin at Forever Healeys has pictures on his website of a Healey he installed A/C in.

JPF

Thanks everyone for the info on A/C in a Healey. I already
e-mailed and got some info from Bret Blades in Dallas and
since I'm on the east coast, may try to speak to the
fellow in Florida. Now to see if I can afford this project !Regards,
Mike

Mike,
Please keep us updated. Being on the east coast and knowing at least one other member who wants A/C, I am very interested in what you find out is available close to us.
Charlie

Hi Gang,

The images at this link show what I think is the best installation of air conditioning controls and venting in any Healey interior I have seen. Although I am not sure, I believe this is Bill Naretta's car. I think you will agree that it is a beautiful job. I have no idea how well the system works, but it sure looks good!


https://homepage.mac.com/linwoodrose/PhotoAlbum69.html

Lin
1960 BT7 "The Bloody Beast"
1959 AN5 Bugeye

Ed_K said:

After reading this, I see a major wintertime project in my future.
Does the under dash evaporator box also contain the heater core ?
Ed

Click to expand...

The original heater core is removed and replaced with a combination unit.
If you went to photobucket.com and enetred <pyoas>, it will take you to a page that will allow you to find my installation. I have captions listing everything used. I have replaced the original factory condensor since the photos.

I installed two vents in the center where the speaker grill is. They are 2.5" and will be replaced with 3.5" vents. I also installed a vent near each door opening and thios really helps throw the cool air across the whole width of the compartment. The hoses that connect the center and outer vents will get a "Y" vent in between them that will direct AC or heat to the feet areas.

The heater really works nice and even across the whole inside. Same goes for the AC cool air. I measured 44 degrees coming out of the center vents! An thermostatically controlled electric fan in front of everything takes care of any engine temp. The fan also works without the AC turned on so it does double duty.

I have seen brackets that attach to the generator bracket for other AC installations and I went with Bret's because it is much stronger and "clutter free". It's hard to image hanging a compressor <span style="text-decoration: underline">and</span> alternator off the small origianl generator bracket "ears" and it lasting long or a simple overtightening or missing spacer washer cracking the original bracket. I went with what I thought was the best.
Patrick

Bret's hangers work very well. I have noticed that my Alternator hangs too close to the top radiator hose. I am still trying to fix that . Bret says he has changed the bracket slightly to tilt it towards the outside of the car. This should eliminate that problem. The bracket is made of 1/4 inch plate. Very sturdy. It was easier to fit it with the engine outside the car. I did use a few washers here and there to get all the play out of the compressor and alternator. It is very solid and accessible once installed.

Jerry
BJ8 (air conditioning in progress)

Hey Charlie,
Will do ! Just starting to look into this and got great ideas from everyone.
Too bad Moss wouldn't offer a kit for Healey's like they have for MGB's.
Regards,
Mike