73s A/C - Is It Original?

[yopurp]

Tom,

Sounds good, cause its all good. Mine was also dealer installed, but when you pull the unit out of the smugglers box, you'll notice its a VW part (at least mine was). I'm with Jared though. If its in, it blows cold,and you'll actually use it (which it sounds like you will), then charge it and keep it. I've also heard the newer units are a major improvement over those early 70's jobs (probably from Jared come to think of it). Also, I agree. This is a cool bboard and a really good bunch of people (except one - 'he who shall not be named' - whose not bad but really annoying is all).


Jared - First, I live in the burbs, so no streets of SF aireal stunts in the S car. My commute is 2.5miles w/no freeways involved. This is why I wanted to build from scratch vs buy a 'nice' car with unknown issues. I wanted a 30 year old "new" car. Hope you don't hold it against me. Also, it allows me to rib you about your Garage Queen (as soon as mine get's out of the garage, that is). Lastly, the car only has 89,000 miles on it. So factor 12K/year into 30 years, the car should be somewhere around 360,000 (give or take 100K or so). I figure, Dr. P would be happy to know I was driving the snot out of. Its barely hitting middle age. Anyway, I hope I'm right. If not, I'm man enough to tell you I couldn't hack it and need my AC, electric windows, and 6CD changer w/surround sound.

BTW, how's your Windshield search going? I was admiring my green tint Sekurit rear quarters today (still w/orig clear sticker on it from the factory), and was wishing the windshield was original too.

[JCR]

Well, ok then Chris, I SUPPOSE you shall be allowed.
A new 73 911... SO much cooler than a 996... even a 993 - which 'aint easy to do. You'll find people won't realize it's a 30 year old classic - most non - P literate folks think mine's from the early 90's!

I recently had a guy interested in buying my 356 say he wanted to use it as his daily commuter - logging 70 MILES PER DAY! I was HORRIFIED! THANK YOU, GOODBYE. I know Herr Porsche's intentions, just a bit over protective I guess.

No leads on the glass, I have a perfect dash itching for an install, but it must wait for the 'shield.

P.S. You better find a longer route to work, 2.5 miles won't even budge the oil temp!

[JCR]

Makes sense Tom, I never drive with the windows up - it isn't nearly as much fun.

Sounds like a nice place you have there, thanks for the invite. Maybe you should consider a radar activated catch net at the end of your drive for those immature hooligans.

[yopurp]

the yellow zinc dichromate?

OK, now you gotta post some pics when you get it back. I'm dying to see what this looks like inside. I can't imagine that yello zinc dichromate seat hardware go with upgrading an AC system in an early S car, but hey, its all good!

But seriously, post some pics ok?

[JCR]

Originally posted by sithot
In the meantime somebody come up with a good reason to keep the a/c.

TOP 10 REASONS TO KEEP YOUR EARLY 911 A/C

1. Leaking freon may help with engine compartment cooling.
2. You may soon be the only early 911 with intact AC, making your car a RARE example.
3. I suspect just having it on will psychologically make you feel 5 degrees cooler, even if it does blow warm.
4. R12 freon may someday be worth more than gold.
5. Receiver /dryer bottle may be a useful "tank" when fossil fuels run dry and you must convert to hydrogen power.
6. Rear deck lid condenser can double as a BBQ grille in a pinch.
7. You won’t cut your %$&#@ finger on &#$@& metal frayed hoses like I did.
8. All true Porsche Pricks have A/C.
9. Tabs would approve, as would his mother (the 911 really belongs to her).
10. Chicks DIG A/C

[yopurp]

Jared,

You have too much time on your hands! Maybe you could spend it designing a lightweight AC that does cool the engine. But seriously, #8 was my favorite (of course).

Tom - you sound like a bird of similar feather (except maybe your checkbook is fatter). Can't wait to see the pics, and I'll check my 'hardware' to look for the yellow finish (doubt I'll find it). I may need to "powdercoat my hardware" somewhere down the line.

OK, I'm laughing as I write these words. Man, some Freudian shrink could write a PhD on men's obsessions with cars and their parts right off this bboard. Cracks me up sometimes, ya know? I think the relationship between Tabs and his mother, and Tabs and his car could be worth an advanced specialty degree.

[JCR]

Originally posted by yopurp
I think the relationship between Tabs and his mother, and Tabs and his car could be worth an advanced specialty degree.

LOL Chris!

Originally posted by sithot
The plating could have been handled by going to the Porsche dealer and ordering all of it.

Tom, my local Porsche dealer can't seem to even order the right parts for me - I avoid them at all costs.

Combo knee pad/vent unit is the dealer installed job. Separate added underdash unit is factory.

I had factory air with a front condenser, and there is a square opening stamped with blower ducting, it isn't cut. My windshield washer bottle (displaced by front condenser blower) stands alone on the other (drivers) side of the smugglers box precariously attached to an upturned flange. Not very well thought out IMO.

I know what you mean about "someday". My GF thinks I'm crazy for storing all my tired old A/C parts - I know I will want them again someday - especially if I get rid of 'em.

[Lee]

IMHO the dealer installed units don't qualify as original. I had 2 early Porsches with that system, and I ripped it out of both. Both had the passenger footwell hacked out for the ducting, and both had very poor workmanship getting the hoses out of the engine compartment (one actually just bent the engine sheetmetal aside and ran the hoses out the gap!). I also thought the 1-piece vent-cum-kneepad looked cheesy. It was always clear to me that the dealers were doing this work against the time clock, without systematic quality controls.

Having never actually seen a factory installation, can someone describe how the the hoses exited the engine bay, and how the air ducting was routed from the smuggler's box to the interior? Pics?

Thanks,
Lee

[yopurp]

By the way, the September issue of Excellence just showed up in my mailbox (always an exciting day around my house) yesterday. Page 133 has an article titled "Ice-Cold Air, Part 1, Finally REAL Air Conditioining for older 911's". Caveat - they do the project on a Late 70's, early 80's 911SC CABRIOLET!!!!! Still an informative article with good pics. Its done with Griffiths and uses the Kuehl compressor system.

After reading the article, I'm feeling much better about my West Coast Mortgage Payment.

[JCR]

BTW - the replica GT Speedster featured in the new Excellence belongs to my neighbor, 2 doors down.

It is one hell of a nice looking car, very solid and flawlessly finished. Has a carbed 2.7 stuffed in the rump with a 915.