Is this an A/C in my 74?

[Gluteus Maximus]

I was trying to figure out what these knobs are for and was wondering if this was a Datsun A/C?  Nothing is working, but I didn't think this was an option on a 74?  Doesn't really look aftermarket?  I must be missing some sort of compressor under the hood?

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SisklbUfzecyh-0K9t031soy74Az7Tjp

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SgyF8Js7RK65f98WK8hbj0x9J-Mw2wps

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Sd28zjen-IC5c6nWcstx0hENBTEk5v4h

[FrankRizzo]

Yep. Its the dealer installed aftermarket underdash unit and that is the receiver dryer under the hood.

take a pic of the condenser - the thing in front of the radiator that the receiver drier is hooked to.

 

Edited November 8, 2019 by FrankRizzo

[datzenmike]

You could have it installed on your 620 by the dealer before or after buying but it wasn't available as a factory option till '79 I believe. The '79s had an electric fuel pump and the compressor was mounted on that side.

[Gluteus Maximus]

I took a few more pics with better light.  I followed the hose from the receiver dryer...it goes under the radiator and looks like the end is just tucked there open ended and not connected to anything.  I'm assuming there's no condenser or compressor?  Maybe someone replaced the radiator in the past and just took those parts out.  I imagine replacement parts are hard to impossible to find?  I don't really need A/C here in Portland, but it would be nice to someday get it going!

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sx5fw2DMTPL8m-BICJNzOCyohoyUDw4S/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SzCW-SvRman2EZ-Q00U8oKqfJN5KM7u4/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T0faNspLwQ6zAtjcDWQBZuHyUmr0YSJ4/view?usp=sharing

 

 

[datzenmike]

Where do the hoses go at the front??? What's in front of the rad???

[Gluteus Maximus]

I don't see anything infront of the radiator....I was wrong, the hose from the black can (receiver dryer) goes under the radiator and into it on the front left side bottom.  I have no idea where a compressor went or if there even was one?  

[datzenmike]

There should be a smaller radiator (condenser) in front of the radiator with the cap on it in your picture. It might be missing. The compressor will be turned by a fan belt on the front of the engine. Perhaps missing also.

[FrankRizzo]

Thanks for the pics. Sounds like the condenser is gone.

If you wanted to restart that A/C, you would have to change lots of stuff... Those hoses with hose clamps on them would not work with today's higher pressure refrigerants. I dont see a compressor either. The only thing you could re use is the under dash evaporator.

The hose routing would go out of the compressor, into the (missing) condenser, out of the condenser thru the receiver/dryer and into the under dash evaporator, then out of the under dash evap, back to the compressor.

 

If you want to free up some leg room and remove the under dash unit, i'd be interested in buying it - if it is in good condition...😎

 

Edit - also I have found a new old stock condenser online a while back.

Edited November 9, 2019 by FrankRizzo

[Gluteus Maximus]

Thanks Mr Rizzo....I'll consider removing it eventually.  I'm not sure what's going through the hoses from the receiver to the radiator now?  I suppose I could just remove the whole receiver dryer unit and cap off all the holes.  Getting rid of the evaporator panel would give me  a little more room in the cab and maybe let me mount a little under dash shelf that I got in a wrecking yard from a 77 KC that mounts below the glove box.  

[FrankRizzo]

There is nothing but air in the hoses, and maybe just a trace amount of oil.

You can take them out and remove the drier and plug the holes in the firewall. Be careful where the hoses connect to the expansion valve underdash. You dont want to booger that up.

 

.

[yenpit]

If you wanted to keep the AC & use it, the most important component is the under dash unit.  FROM that unit out into the engine compartment is basically universal fit AC components, including a condenser.  If you have a basic understanding of the system, you just need to buy what parts would work for you.  We did exactly that on a 240Z.....kept the underdash unit, had hoses made from unit out to a universal fit receiver drier & compressor, used a NEW late model Sanden compressor (way more efficient than original HUGE York unit!!), a 280X aluminum block mounting bracket (lower drivers side of engine), fab'd up a simple spacer to mount compressor to bracket, & a modified 280X belt tensioner.  We had the original condenser, so just used that, but you can measure & buy a universal fit.  Blows c-c-c-cold!

 

If you don't want to use the AC, carefully pull out the underdash unit & sell it!  You can give the buyer all the other stuff, but again, most needs to be replaced with universal fit parts anyway!

[Gluteus Maximus]

On 11/11/2019 at 1:31 PM, yenpit said:

If you wanted to keep the AC & use it, the most important component is the under dash unit.  FROM that unit out into the engine compartment is basically universal fit AC components, including a condenser.  If you have a basic understanding of the system, you just need to buy what parts would work for you.  We did exactly that on a 240Z.....kept the underdash unit, had hoses made from unit out to a universal fit receiver drier & compressor, used a NEW late model Sanden compressor (way more efficient than original HUGE York unit!!), a 280X aluminum block mounting bracket (lower drivers side of engine), fab'd up a simple spacer to mount compressor to bracket, & a modified 280X belt tensioner.  We had the original condenser, so just used that, but you can measure & buy a universal fit.  Blows c-c-c-cold!

 

If you don't want to use the AC, carefully pull out the underdash unit & sell it!  You can give the buyer all the other stuff, but again, most needs to be replaced with universal fit parts anyway!

Thanks for the advice...Guess I'll just keep it as is for now...it kinda jazzes up the dash.  I need to put some miles on this truck and work out the bugs before I get into modding an A/C unit.  I know shocks and muffler are in my near future, not to mention the mummified rubber bits in the suspension.