Air Conditioning for a 1980 VW Vanagon

[kbajwa]

I am restoring a 1980 VW Vanagon with 2.0 Litre Air Cooled Engine. The engine is almost assembled and ready to drop into the vehicle. This vehicle has no Air Conditioning (AC). I am told that there is an AC kit which is installed as part of the Heating System of the vehicle & works well.

(1) Does anybody know a good aftermarket AC system for such a vehicle?
(2) Can 2.0 litre engine support such an AC system?
(3) Should I first get the vehicle restored and then add the AC or it is better (and easier) to install AC now while the engine is still out?

Thanks.

Kirt

[bigdood]

The engine only has ~65hp on a good day, I don't think I'd want to put the strain on it that AC would provide.

[pocvw]

I agree with bigdood - a normal a/c unit would put a strain on the powerless motor. However, I have heard of a guy in Florida who has a/c units for the vanagon that only uses something like 2 or 3 horsepower (but, again, that little engine needs all the power she can get!).

Personally, I wouldn't put an a/c unit on the aircooled motor. It's not worth the risk. Just my opinion, though.

Good luck!
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Life is a garden - dig it!

1980 VW Westfalia

[FrankieD]

I thought “Dual 40” A/C was standard on all Vanagons
Open the windows, get up to 35-40mph and the temp drops 2 whole degrees in no time

Just kidding…….


I agree with everyone else and say that the motor is way to underpowered for A/C.
Consider a Swamp Cooler setup, if the climate is right, you can make it a comfortable ride and keep your hp for getting up the next hill.
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[Colorado Ron]

Cant you install a small roof mounted a/c unit from a small RV? Just have to beef up the electrical system.

[61 BUS]

I'm running an "old style" single piston York compressor on my '61 bus with a 1641 DP, and have had no problems with overheating. Yes, there is a slight loss of power, but nothing major. I have an oil temperature guage installed, and the temperature goes up maybe 10 degrees (from 210 to 220) when I'm using the A/C on a 110 degree day here in Tucson. As long as you're not hot-rodding it around, and are keeping an eye on your temperatures, you should be fine. I would recommend, however, that you go for one of the Sanden style rotary compressors. I'm planning on switching my '61 over to that style, and am going to do the same in my '81 Vanagon, which is currently set up for (but not operational) factory A/C.

[Sunbird]

I installed a kit made by Behr in an 80 Westy back around 1985. The most difficult part was running the freon lines from the engine mounted compressor up foward to the condenser and evaporator. The hoses are stiff and fat and you will need to drill holes accordingly. The rest was just bolting on parts. I did pull the dashboard which is not nearly as bad as it sounds. The Behr kit included an outlet that fit in place of the radio. There was a housing that relocated the radio to the side of the seat pedestal. That was in the Tampa bay area of Florida. FL is very flat. You don't say where you live. The cooling was good in the front seats and no one ever rode in the back. It is a big space to cool with a small engine. I also installed a cylinder head temp gauge at the same time. If you drive in the western mountains you probably would want to switch it off on the upgrades.

[61 BUS]

In my '81 Vanagon, I have installed a cylinder head temperature guage, an oil presuure guage, and an oil temperature guage. I would definitely recommend installing all three of these (even without A/C). Good insurance.

[pocvw]

Those are excellent gauges to have. I need to get those! I think I am going to get the Dakota Digitals, though. Also, trying to figure out where to mount those things is a very interesting process. I think the best set-up that I have seen so far is mounting them in the dash, in a row, to the right of the cigarette lighter, but still don't know. Anyway, good suggestion!
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Life is a garden - dig it!

1980 VW Westfalia

[BavarianWrench]

Its always nice to have a/c, go for it. there are a lot of factory parts in the junk yards. Oh and what is up with the POC, your westy looks sweet not like a POC Piece Of Crap?

[pocvw]

Hey BW,

The poc is the first three letters of the town I currently live in. Thank you for the compliments! I found her on ebay about a year ago. She was in Colorado. Awesome find!
_________________
Life is a garden - dig it!

1980 VW Westfalia

[BavarianWrench]

I knew it had to mean some thing other than what my negative little mind was letting me see. Thanks POC.

[scruffyboy]

Don't know if you've already got an engine or not but check out some of Jake Raby's @ aircooled technologies. He states that HIS engines have no problems with AC