Hi everyone,
My daily driver,(a 1995 Mitsubishi) has 292,000 miles and is almost "done", (I'm really trying for an even 300,000) so now I am contemplating making my 142 my daily driver. I'm not sure if I really want to do that, but I don't really want to plunk down 20 G's for a new car either. (I'm trying to rationalize this by telling myself that I can spend 1/2 that and get my 142 into really great shape! ...it is pretty darn good already.)...Then again do I want to run my 142 day in - day out no matter what the weather etc.
...Anyway, to my question: What would it take to put A/C into an old 142? I would want to go with a new unit or something salvaged from a late model whatever.
...while I'm asking, I am open to opinions and thoughts on using a 142 for about 30,000+ a year. I have an all new suspension and brakes in it now, a good body and interior, and am hoping to upgrade to an M41 soon.

Thanks,
CU

On our 71 142 my son and I used the evaporator/fan etc. from a junker to look stock in the car. However, everything else is new, including a Sandon compressor and an electric fan. I had some R12 left over so we made ours R12 compatible thinking at some point we would use R12. However other demands for the R12 convinced us to use a substitute, Duracool.

Vent temps get to about 40-45 degrees on a 90 degree day on the road. However, at idle in town rises to 55 or so. I tried going down hill at idle at 60 thinking it was air moving over the condensor but decided the compressor, expansion valve, or the wrong refrigerent is the problem. Now considering converting to 134A.

Going down the road the AC is fine for two people, but lacking with more people or town driving. But much better than nothing!!! I would be curious if there would be a possibility to obtain an updated evaportor that could be used with the rest of the under dash equipment.

Mark Richardson
Hutchinson, KS

use it as a daily driver ? of course , drive it . drive the hell out of it . it's a car , made to be driven . i use my '71 142S as a driver , 150 - 200 miles a day. love your volvo ,drive your volvo !

It will also depend on the specific year 140. Many later 73-74's came with A/C, and have the evaporator coil built into the heater unit. The setup is the same as in the 240 for many years afterwards, I believe up to '81. I don't know about swapping entire dashes for 240's or later 140's into early 140's but anything can be done.

Another common option for many old V's is the typical hanging unit screwed under the dash.

I will install Ac next year on my 74 145, and hope to use the original evaporator in the heater unit. I have the huge ugly bracketand idler for the compressor, but hope to use a more efficient rotary (Sanden, Volvo 240 OEM) compressor, accumulator/drier and modern hoses with R134 proof fittings.

The condensor coil will be fitted according to size and mounting points. And price.

As I build mine for another generation of driving, it appears that the last thing I need is to quiet the rear end. Yes, I would prefer to drive this even more than the Forester.


--
MPergiel, Elmhurst, IL '74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

I should've added that I have a 1972 142, which even though was a southern car never had A/C. I would like to ad a more efficient modern system with a rotary compressor. All the parts and hosing seem pretty straight forward to install, but would they work well with an under dash unit? Is there another type of blower unit I could use?
thanks,
CU

Having owned several older Volvo models with the "factory A/C" units, I would strongly suggest you stay away from these, unless you feel the need to keep the car "original". The late 60's to early 70's underdash units were only marginal when new, even though the standards were much lower then. No way will one of these old units really keep a 140 cool on a sunny 100 degree day. They would barely do the job in an 1800, with much less space to cool, and a bunch less glass. Every one of these I ever owned was prone to evaporator freeze-up... they just had to work too hard.

Someone here suggested Vintage Air, and that is probably a good place to start. In the long run, you'll probably spend very little more money there than you would by overhauling something you find in the salvage yard. And with the VA (or similar) system, you'll more than likely actually keep the car cool. Incidentally, if you're using the stock radiator fan on your 142, you will need something better. The VA system probably has an electric fan, at least as an option... you'll need it, especially if you do any city driving in hot weather.
--
1971 142E ITB racer, 1973 1800ES, 2002 S60 T5

If you can find an old 140 series with AC you can transfer components. I have done it to 122 and 140 series. Actually, the early models are just hang on units, similar to the 1800 series. BTW, they really are not very cold, so hang your hopes low for freezing out.

dick

Some folks with old Volvos have done it this way. I may try it myself with my '68 122:
http://www.vintageair.com