air conditioning fans

[195r13s]

I'm asking for collective wisdom/experience. From the thread "bypassing heater matrix": Hasbeen had his air conditioning redone w US system. (Top to bottom it sounds like.) I was wondering whether the antiquated original fans were replaced, and whether the original housing and shroud were worth keeping.

I'm thinking seriously about cooling now--myself and the motor. I have an air conditioned, 76 FHC w Buick V6 being installed this week. It will also need space for oil cooler for Chevy automatic transmission.

I had figured electric puller fans for radiator, but had avoided addressing the air conditioning, plus switches-relays, until now. Then having heard just how hot the FHCs can get in the sun (even in Pennsylvania)... so... are the original fans a problem? Should I consider just switching in a different system entirely?

Tom
TR7V6, Buick, Chevy, Ford. 3 yrs and counting

[Hasbeen]

Tom, I left it to the company fitting the system. They have done all my auto electrical work, for years & know me.

The car was not air conditioned originally, so it was a new instillation, using what ever was good from an old TR7 system I bought.

As it turned out they only used the ventilation system, & the compressor mounting bracket, modified to take a modern compressor. Everything else was beyond practical use in my case.

If you were doing it yourself, & knew what you were doing, most would have been useful, but I wanted the car to come back cool, & stay cool for years, without hassles. My knowledge of air con is non existent.

They did have a very slow gas leak that gave them some problems.

If you know what you are doing, try the Chevy gear, it is probably better stuff than the original TR7 gear.

This summer has been a joy, with my 7 going beautifully, & me cool while driving it. Incidentally, cooling that small cabin is very easy, the system only has to be in fair condition to handle it.

Hasbeen

[HDRider]

Hasbeen,

I have been trying to find a replacement condensor for my 1981 TR7 with factory AC. Do you know what one you AC company used in your conversion?

Edward Hamer
Petaluma CA

[Hasbeen]

I think they got it from a local radiator maker.

I'll check with them next time I'm in town, & let you know.

Hasbeen

[195r13s]

Hasbeen,
My knowledge is right there yours about auto AC. But with 4400 posts you must know a thing or two about Wedges.

I do think GM/Chevy parts is the way I'll have to go w my Buick V6. Scrap the fans, keep the in-dash stuff (evaporator).

Glad you have been out about in your TR7, very envious. Soon though...by end of summer here for me. Australian weather is opposite USA's somewhat, right? Thanks for reply,

Edward,

If you want to fool with an original '76 compressor, I have mine and would be happy to send it to you...I can't go original at his point.

BTW, I'm in PA, but we were neighbors, sort of, this past year. I was staying in Bolinas, but got to Petaluma frequently: Whole Foods shopping, Tall Toad Guitars. Great town.

I don't know what shape the condenser is in but my TR7 only had 60K miles. But with Marin County's beautiful weather, you want an AC unit?

Cheers to both,

Tom

[Odd]

You ask about the original fans... I'm not sure if the TR7 used the same type Magneti Marelli yellow four-blade fans as the TR8 did - but in case they did: The Porsche Boxster fan is a (sort of) direct replacement. With black nine-blade scimitar shaped blades = moving more air less noicy...

[195r13s]

Thanks very much Odd. Yes, my TR7 has the yellow, square, four-bladed fans. Boxster fans as replacements shouldn't be hard to find. Quiet and efficient... nice.
Plus, searching 'Boxster fans' brings up a wealth of info/photos from excellent older posts on air flow, heating and cooling.

Tom

[DNK]

My Boxster fans in the TR8 bracket


Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

[HDRider]

I'm not that worried about it but the wife is. Mostly we need it when we go to Sacramento or south of San Jose.

Love Tall Toad Music by the way and have purchased several items there including my PA. They had a Gison Dove there that I almost couldn't walk away from.

Edward Hamer
Petaluma CA

[Hasbeen]

There was a transition cooler on the auto 8s, with the chassis set up to take it, below & behind the radiator.

As we did not get locally delivered 8s, so no parts available, I installed what was actually Triumph saloon oil cooler in this position, when we were having engine cooling problems with the 8. I figured an oil cooler in front of the air con condenser, in front of the radiator was not helping.

It did not much for engine cooling, but was very good for the high stall auto.

Hasbeen

Hasbeen

[Sautie]

Maybe I'm to be considered odd, but we don't worry about heat here and any way with the top down who needs an Aircon. I am removing my original Aircon set up Fan, pump the whole tutti. Why because it impedes airflow to the radiator & clutters up the under bonnet area making it difficult to check the PS pump resevoir. So if any of you are passing this way give me a call.

[195r13s]

Seeing the sleek German fans and thinking of airflow to radiator...i'll combine everyone's input and work out/fabricate a condenser-transmission cooler set up. One that, hopefully, won't reduce air to radiator.

For those who have never seen the orig.TR7, AC shroud, it was not Speke's finest efforts... more like high school shop class. Anyone know if TR8 shrouds were improved/different?

Edward's weather: Since we span the globe, all may not know that Marin county is (arguably) USA's most beautiful... w weather to match. I'm guessing much like Sautie's. We in eastern US, w four seasons and FHCs, need the AC in Summer.

Edward: A Dove? Our tastes in Gibson over-the-top guitars may coincide, I play a J 200. Did you know of the Alembic guitars in Marin? I was one of that crowd.

Cheers to all,

Tom
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, City of Champions

[Odd]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> For those who have never seen the orig.TR7, AC shroud, it was not Speke's finest efforts...
more like high school shop class. Anyone know if TR8 shrouds were improved/different? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Shroud?
There's no shroud on the TR8 (like in the '7) - the bracket you see there is what there is. It's just that one, bolted to the rearside of the radiator. And the condenser is then fitted tightly on the front side of the radiator...
btw It's upside down in his picture...

<font color="red"><b>My two 1980 Wedges...</b></font id="red">

[195r13s]

Odd: Always enjoyed the multi wedge photo. I'll post shroud (dual fans)photo when I next can...10 days? It's worth a look just for curiosity's sake, or obscure TR7 historical build info.
Do you really pull that camper anywhere?
Tom
76V6 FHC: Buick;Chevy;Ford (nothing Chrysler yet)