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MGB Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

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JodyFKerr

JodyFKerr

Jedi Knight
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Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

Hey all,

My whole saga of trying to find something that isn't a modern lump of plastic to be my daily driver is starting to get depressing. My issue is that in Arizona, to be a DD, the car *must* have A/C.

I've been finding many nice MGB's for sale that I would have otherwise jumped on. So, I started researching through BCF last night, and then later on the intertubes. I ran across these aftermarket AC unit from BritishAC.com

Has anyone installed one of these? If so are they happy with it? It's based around a Sanden compressor, so there's none of that York malarky involved. Yes, I know that a/c robs power, and all that fun stuff, but driving around in 100+ degree heat for 3+ months of the year without it is just masochistic.

Thanks!
Jody
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

OK, I just saw this post else where.
Where did I see it?
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

With all the mini cars out there now, with 4 cyl engines, I see no reason that a good setup could not be fabricated to an MGB. I would think the only problem would be the under dash blower assembly. If there's one out there designed for an MGB, I think I'd be looking hard at it. All modern AC units are pretty efficient. One thing you must remember though, they don't work as well in a convertible as in a hard top, but they do work! Just my 2 cents worth. PJ
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

I think you could get MGBGT's with OEM air conditioning. Also, in the hot rodder world they sell electric air conditioners for cars - probably a much easier conversion, not too expensive either +/- $500 as I recall.
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

JPSmit said:
I think you could get MGBGT's with OEM air conditioning. Also, in the hot rodder world they sell electric air conditioners for cars - probably a much easier conversion, not too expensive either +/- $500 as I recall.
Click to expand...

No MGB came from Abingdon with a/c....hence no true OEM units.

These were dealer installed units, usually York units.
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

Here is some feedback gathered from the Web about MGBs and A/C systems, hope it helps:

"I am planning on installing an air conditioning system in my 67 GT. British Air sells a kit for the MGB; has anyone had any experience with this company? If so, your comments and advice are welcomed. Or, for that matter, any comments re A/C."

Nostalgicairparts.com is another company for A/C.

"I think those "two" companies are the same company. They just call their British a/c division a different name, I think. I've heard very good things about these guys, and I imagine you'll be very happy with that a/c kit. If I had a BGT (as I once did), I'd definitely put a/c in it. There's not much airflow in the car like there is in the roadster, and it can get pretty miserable in there on a hot day in a traffic jam."

"Those are one in the same. Nostalgia owns British. They are a great company to work with and provide a good product. They used to or still do make some of Moss's ac system. Made my own brackets and used their compressor and hoses. I got good information from the owner when every I needed it.."

"Met a guy at Belleville that had a Brtish AC unit installed. He loved it. I'm going to do the same to my GT when the time comes."

"I have the kit in my B and have posted many times about how much I like it. I just thought I would add last week in 99+ heat I had 39* at my center vent with top up."

"I bought the Moss kit and installed it in my 74.5 GT. I had to make several changes to make it work. I then found Nostalgic air and they were furnishing most of the parts to Moss. Moss gave step by step instructions, extra spacers and a set of brackets for mounting alternator to the compressor. If I had known about Nostalgicair I would have saved a lot of money. I also put in a fan shroud, and an aluminum radiator to keep the temp at normal on the gage."

".....for the Moss/Nostalgic/BritishAir units you don't have to cut through the firewall, just drill a couple of holes on the removable access plate on top of the bulkhead (most models have a charcoal canister sitting over this plate). Because the plate is removable, it's easy to get good clean holes by drilling on a drill press instead of freehand in the engine bay. A pre-drilled replacement access plate would be nice, though."
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

Peter,

Thanks for the info! Apparently my Google-fu is weak compared to yours.

I have, subsequently, gotten myself off on a different tangent. So, it looks like I'll be putting off adding an MGB to the fold for the time being, but there is one a few miles away that I have my eye on, and for whatever odd reason, LBCs seem to follow me home, whether my wife is happy about it or not. :smile:

Jody
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

Jody, don't know if it's the fact that the TR guys read the MG forum or We just blew you off there?
Sorry
 
Re: Adding "modern" A/C to an MGB

Don, If it's a separate MG forum site, then I most likely don't know about it because I'm not presently an MG owner. :smile: I tend to stay on BCF mostly except for Jensen stuff.

Jody
 
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