Modern heater + AC in an Oval Beetle: Possible? Heresy? :)

ARTIFACT

Don't kill a newbie

I was wondering if the creative people of the VW community had done any research / experimentations with installing set of modern Heater - and possibly AC - system in a classic beetle.

If this is crazy talk, breathe deeply and be nice to a newbie. I learn fast and am looking forward to learn a ton from all of you on thesamba Smile

Thank you

Manuel
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L331 Horizon Blue January 1957 Canadian Deluxe Oval Beetle

kielbasa · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject:

SEARCH
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ARTIFACT · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the warm welcome Smile

I actually spent a long time searchingf or various topics, which worked in most cases. I did not find anything relevant to this specific question.

(Edit) I just spent more time and dug up this thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=342760&highlight=air+conditioning
I will be reading some more...

It's hard to find heater threads, because ALL threads with "heater channels" are listed - which is not what I mean.

I intend to spend time here, and learn. Please be patient with me

Manuel
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L331 Horizon Blue January 1957 Canadian Deluxe Oval Beetle

drscope · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:36 pm Post subject:

As for heat in an original oval, there ain't much. The best way to go in that case would be a gas heater.

This was a viable option back in the day, so it is considered a period add on.

If you have updated to a newer engine with fresh air heat, the installation of blowers in the channels under the back seat is a great addition. And this can easily be put back to "stock" should the need arise.

As for AC, again with a stock 36 horse, there ain't much to choose from. The period upgrade would be a swamp cooler.

but if you have that bigger, newer engine, there is a lot of stuff available for the street rodder guys that might fit the bill.
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Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

ARTIFACT · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject:

very intereting

I *may* be getting a 57 that has a bigger engine (1835 w/ dual 40 Delorto's).

It gets pretty cold around here (Seattle), so the heater part is the most interesting. For the AC, I was mainly curious... It is usually not over 80 outside anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to help drscope

I'd love to find the info on what you said below: "there is a lot of stuff available for the street rodder guys " but I am not sure how to begin searching for this.
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L331 Horizon Blue January 1957 Canadian Deluxe Oval Beetle

drscope · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject:

Go to the local magazine shop and buy a few Street Rodder mags. They are filled with suppliers selling all sorts of stuff for street rods.

Of course the biggest trouble is going to be finding something that will fit the VW as most of their stuff bolts to a small block chevy.

BUT, with a little skill and imagination, you can fit an AC compressor under the hood. Many Super beetles came through like this.

Then just find a nice small street rod under dash unit and screw it all together.
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Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

valentinesr · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

Hey is ARTIFACT really "Mr. David Holzman", he writes like an editor...."Days of Our Ovals"
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Valentine, Ray J Sr.
Montclair, California

ARTIFACT · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

Like an editor? Haha how so?

I am actually French, English is not my first language. It sounds like a compliment Smile

I am excited to learn from everyone here.
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L331 Horizon Blue January 1957 Canadian Deluxe Oval Beetle

Harris · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: Modern Heater/AC

AlteWagen · Troll Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 5364

Hot VW magazine just did an article on AC in stall in a ghia with dual carbs. I believe the company they used was I.C.E in arizona. some people think their kit is to small and the condenser is in the engine compartment adding unwanted heat. There are a few other kits on the market with better compressors/brackets/ and condenser locations.

Hey wasnt Seattle 108* yesterday?? I think if I want to continue to drive my vw daily, global warming is making ac mandatory. The safaris in my bus and the pop outs in the bug just arent cutting it anymore. Crying or Very sad

ARTIFACT · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject:

Makes sense thanks

the heater part seems like something to investigate still - and the hardest one to search for on thesamba Smile

would love pointers to known working setup etc
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L331 Horizon Blue January 1957 Canadian Deluxe Oval Beetle

joshbuchan · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:08 pm Post subject:

bah AC on the westcoast....i'm not too far from you, across the pond Victoria BC and even tho it was 103 F here yesterday I didn't use the AC in my DD.
As for heat, in my 55 I will be going with seat warmers since I have no interest in fabbing up 1 3/4" heater boxes for my 2332cc Wink

heated seats will take the edge off even in Jan/Feb Laughing

AlteWagen · Troll Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 5364

Personally I would rather be cold than hot. I guess way up north you never really get that hot in the summer, here in So Cal you get heat stroke from sitting in traffic.

Down here we never think about heaters, most get scrapped just like the thermostats. In our club we make fun and ask if you brought your "heater", this is what we are talking about.

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Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

[email protected] · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:03 pm Post subject:

I have my eye on a 1956 stocker. I will want an upgrade of some kind on the heater, but with the original engine it does not seem I can find much in the way of ac. I am in St. Louis where it gets below zero and over a hundred.

However, with your engine vintage air has a set up as well as other companies. All it takes is money. looks like the ac will run around $1500. If you pay a shop to install it that will be more.

Motorhead55 · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:54 pm Post subject:

If you are saying that the car you are looking at has a 1835 then it can have a good heating system. The "Fresh air" heating systems work well in a bug. I have a 1700 in mine and my heater heats well. I run stock heater boxes. Don't run the cheap aftermarket ones with NO aluminum heat sink finning inside the heater box.
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1955 VW BUG European Deluxe Delivered to Holland. 1700cc single port, Zenith 2 barrel. Porsche A drum brakes.
2012 Jetta TDI Sportwagen. Tornado Red, Black interior.
2007 Dodge Cummins Diesel 4x4 6spd stick
1977 Mercedes 240D, 1939 WILLYS pickup

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