VA ac kit 751150 install notes

[zbronco]

Below are my notes on the install of the vintage air 751150 that I finished this weekend. System blows cold and looks very nice. I will be happy to expand on any of the items if needed.

Installation of the new VA ac system (kit 751150) for a bronco. Overall the quality of unit looks good. I immediately ran into an issue when I learned the compressor bracket will not work if you have power steering. I needed additional brackets, This is not noted on the VA web site or install manual. So I moved to the inside and started installing the evaporator unit and what a PAIN. Spent many hours trying to get the evaporator in but gave up after many hours and pushed it off to the next day. Please note I was installing with the dash in due to having a full roll cage that I did not want to remove for the a/c install. In my previous bronco I installed a classic air system Summer 2012. The install of evaporator was much easier and much more thought out.

To get the VA evaporator bolted up, I used one of the nuts/washer from the original heater and put it on the stud of the evaporator bracket while it was out. I then took a nylon string and put a knot over the stud and behind the nut/washer and tighten the nut down. I threaded the string through the hole where the stud goes and pulled it tight. I used an longer screw (about twice the length VA provide). Once I got the screw started into the bracket I pull the string until the stud made through the hole . Then tightened everything down.

Compressor install, the VA system puts the compressor on the driver’s side and requires an additional bracket (not included) if you have power steering. Once I received the additional brackets, they went on easy but I quickly ran into issues. With the compressor on the driver side the stock radiator hose, fan and fan shroud do not fit .. First the stock fan hit the compressor, so I put washers behind the fan to push it closer to the radiator and away from the compressor. That fixed the fan hitting the compressor but it push the fan to far forward and now the fan hits the shroud, shroud is now in pieces. The stock radiator hose was obviously not a consideration for the VA engineers. Nowhere is it documented that you will need to fabricate your own hose. So I was off to the parts house, third trip that day.. The parts people graciously lets me rummage through their radiator hoses and I get lucky. I found a hose that I can easily modify to work, It took the hose I found, a 1.5 in to 1.5 in coupler and the original hose now modified. The hose is very similar to what you need for the explorer serpentine conversion. Fit 2 of the 3 issues, but i did not have a spare fan shroud to fix the 3rd issue.

Pros
Brackets for condensing coil bracket better thought out then classic air
Hoses come ready to use (crimped)
Like the looks of the under the dash venting, it does not appear that with be any issue for legs.
Electronic controls are very nice
Blows cold.

Unfortunately at this point there are more cons then pros.

Cons
1.Installation of the evaporator is way too difficult.
2. The evaporator brackets need to be reshaped to fit to the evaporator. The front also needed reshaping to bolt to the bronco.
3. Running the heater and ac hoses through the stock air vent is a very bad idea, it is impossible to get the hoses on the evaporator then get the evaporator to line up for installation and get the hose back in the vent.
4. Control knobs are cheesy, I do not like putting stickers on the dash
5. New glove box is very small (useless)
6. Regular din size radio requires very special attention to the plenum install. The instruction have you using some of the original holes to mount. In my case that did not work, I had to push the plenum back as far as possible, drill new holes and carefully arrange the cables. It is a very tight fit.
7. VA does not include all of the needed engine brackets if you have power steering and it id not documented.
8. Compressor hit factory fan shroud.
9. Factory fan hit compressor
10. need to fabricate a radiator hose to work.

Issues.
Wiring color chart was not correct, shows drk blu to compressor (the wiring is lt blue), diagram shows lt blu to relay from ecu, it is drk blu.

Instructions, there is not an overall start here for instructions. The instructions are broke down into many sections which leads to one figuring out a true step by step process. Many things are overlooked in the instructions, like, the fan, radiator hose, steps to get the evaporator installed. In short VA leaves a lot of room for interpretation and omits a lot of information.

VA needs to add language to the Notes on the VA web page to include additional brackets needed if you have power steering
http://www.vintageair.com/6677fordbronco.asp

VA need to address the, fan, fan shroud and radiator hose issue if they want to call this a kit.

From the VA install page
NOTES:
1. Some installations may require additional engine pulleys not
included with kits.You must provide pulleys, v-belts, heater hoses and refrigerant.
2.Bronco Note: Contact your sales rep for specific Bronco chassis/engine combinations.
3.We recommend using our heavy duty fan blade and shroud
32066-LFF 1966-77 Bronco 6cyl. Fan Shroud
32067-LFF 1966-77 Bronco V8 Fan Shroud

As mentioned I installed a classic air system (summer 2012) in an early bronco. Much of the comparison is based on that install.

 

[mainsail09]

VA in a '77 with power steering

I simply can't believe that this post popped up today. I struggled with the same issues Saturday until I was nearly driven crazy by the incomplete instructions, missing parts and the heat and humidity. I kept thinking surely when they installed this in a Bronco at VA for the first time all these issues were right in front of them! Fan hits the compressor and the upper radiator hose is going to look like a pretzel I've seen instructions from China in broken English that were easier to follow. I will be calling the tech line in the morning and hopefully get these issues resolved. Thanks for the post and pics.

 

[bronconut73]

I used Chucks (BC) VA a/c kit.
Chuck has an upper hose that will work with a thermostat housing from a serpentine belt sbf.
I simply filed away at my stock style fiberglass shroud until I had clearance for the compressor.
I grabbed a 17" nylon fan from Jegs. JBG has them too. I was able to massage the tip of these nylon blades to clear the compressor.

 

[zbronco]

I used Chucks (BC) VA a/c kit.
Chuck has an upper hose that will work with a thermostat housing from a serpentine belt sbf.
I simply filed away at my stock style fiberglass shroud until I had clearance for the compressor.
I grabbed a 17" nylon fan from Jegs. JBG has them too. I was able to massage the tip of these nylon blades to clear the compressor.

I made the the same shroud mods as you mentioned. That was all good until until I started the engine. The radiator was in the mounts, I put the 4 screws to hold down the shroud, thought I had clearance. Started the bronco and I am guessing the fan flexed and good by shroud.

my bitch is if you are paying bug bucks for a kit, these details should be worked out, mentioned and documented. This should not be an experiment. They do call it a sure fit kit...

 

[bronconut73]

I made the the same shroud mods as you mentioned. That was all good until until I started the engine. The radiator was in the mounts, I put the 4 screws to hold down the shroud, thought I had clearance. Started the bronco and I am guessing the fan flexed and good by shroud.

my bitch is if you are paying bug bucks for a kit, these details should be worked out, mentioned and documented. This should not be an experiment. They do call it a sure fit kit...

Your quite right.
Chuck explained on a thread here that VA's new sure fit kit is still a system that they try to make fit multiple applications where his will only fit an eb.
He said they just can't justify the cost of making something that will only fit a certain niche vehicle like he had them do for him.

My question has been, Why not put the compressor on the passenger side?
Seems like it would work better there......but likely smarter folks than myself figured the drivers side was better.
Oh well, I guess I have a place to mount an "on-board air" compressor now.

 

[zbronco]

Your quite right.
Chuck explained on a thread here that VA's new sure fit kit is still a system that they try to make fit multiple applications where his will only fit an eb.
He said they just can't justify the cost of making something that will only fit a certain niche vehicle like he had them do for him.

My question has been, Why not put the compressor on the passenger side?
Seems like it would work better there......but likely smarter folks than myself figured the drivers side was better.
Oh well, I guess I have a place to mount an "on-board air" compressor now.

Couple issues with that, VA should not call it a sure fit kit or for that matter a bronco kit. By calling it a bronco kit it implies it was developed for a bronco. I also read Chucks post prior to purchasing. I wanted the plenum under the dash so that swayed my decision. I also read and re-read VA instructions prior to the purchase and it does not mention anything about hoses not fitting, fan shroud needs major modifications and you need to shim the fan. My VA instructions all have a pic of a bronco on the cover, so again one assumes VA had to have known these were issues and should be clear in their documentation. Had I known these issues I would not have gone with this system. Maybe that is why they do not tell potential buyers

In my case I had a compressor mount for the passenger side which came on my bronco. I spoke with the VA rep, sent him pics of what I had and he insisted that I use the mount sent for the drivers side in addition to the required power steering mount. So I now have an extra compressor mount (passenger side) and original power steering mount.

again the good news is the ac is installed and blowing cold. The only thing I have to do is get a replacement shroud..

 

[ken thomas]

I purchased the same VA a/c system from a vender. I plan on selling it and buying Chucks from BC. Does anyone know it the compressors are the same? I have a complete kit only thing that has been installed is the compressor, but in the mockup stage, never installed hoses.

 

[bronconut73]

I think there both sanden 508's. JBG, BC, are all VA except Tom's old under dash unit, I think.....it might be VA but it's old school.

 

[Pa PITT]

.. Good reading here.. Earlier in the summer I made a post about no one is talking about AC This summer.. I've always leaned toward Chucks AC unit. But since I Have my 4BT Cummins .. I'm trying to develop a good AC mount. And have my 508 Sanden already mounted. Then buy Chuck's .. ''The rest of the story.'' kit.
.. My problem is I want and onboard compressor and a AC compressor both. I've about decided That I really don't need the onboard unit.

 

[zbronco]

I simply can't believe that this post popped up today. I struggled with the same issues Saturday until I was nearly driven crazy by the incomplete instructions, missing parts and the heat and humidity. I kept thinking surely when they installed this in a Bronco at VA for the first time all these issues were right in front of them! Fan hits the compressor and the upper radiator hose is going to look like a pretzel I've seen instructions from China in broken English that were easier to follow. I will be calling the tech line in the morning and hopefully get these issues resolved. Thanks for the post and pics.

mainsail09 did you call VA? if so what did they have to say?

 

[jawbreaker]

Install challenges too!

Thanks for the post with your install of the VA GenIV. I am starting my installation and first noted (as you did) that there are no mentions that the water outlet needs to be changed from 45 to 90 degree along with the over the compressor upper radiator hose. I ended up talking to BC Bronco and getting the proper hose and picked up a 90 degree outlet from a 95 Mustang 302. When I tried to bolt on the fan, the blades hit the compressor pulley. What size spacer did you use to clear the compressor pulley?

Have not ventured to try the shroud yet. Any more bits of advice would be great.

 

[zbronco]

I am not sure what size spacer I have, I used some small washers that I put between the fan and spacer. That resolved my issue with the fan hitting the compressor.

I still have a 45 degree outlet, just a Frankenstein water hose. I have purchased a metal shroud for a second go at the shroud issue..

No other challenges that I recall other that VA has refused to answer emails or address the issues.

 

[RG75Bronco]

I have a VA that I just installed last week. It mounts on the passenger side. The problems I have had is with the fan hitting the compressor. So I tried a couple of different spacers and small washers and now it hits the shroud. I am thinking about going electric fan or having a custom made shroud. Right now I left the shroud off to start the unit up to charge it.

 

[bronconut73]

The fan issue can be solved. If you look at my previous post and pictures you will see that I used a nylon fan from Jegs but JBG has them too.
Spacer'ed it where I wanted it in the shroud then massaged (bench grinder) the tips of the nylon fan blade until they didn't touch the compressor. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

The nylon fan has a good pitch and is flat on the radiator side so you can get it really close to the radiator with out the forward scoop of some fans from getting into the radiator.
These are really cheap/durable fans that can move some air. They are cheap enough to experiment a little. Give it a shot.

 

[chuck]

About the fan hitting the compressor. There is very little room to deal with. These are the limits we deal with. In the end we get 1" between the fan and radiator minimum. Sometimes to get that we loosen the motor mount and trans bolt and push the engine/trans back, sometimes we get as much as 1/2". Also loosen the body bolts and push the body foreword can get about 1/4" Anyway, if you don't get that 1" at some point the fan and radiator will get together.
We use the fixed pitch fan because it moves more air than any other. We set the fan as close to the compressor without hitting as possible then start fighting for the 1".
The whole problem is Ford designed the EB for a I-6 then decided to install a 289/302 and did not increase room for a bigger radiator. Which worked out OK but engines run hotter today. Then someone decided that a 4 core radiator was a good idea which cost you about 1/2" of fan clearance. Then we add A/C and power steering and the limited space goes away. Then we all through in "other parts" that may or may not fit quite like the stock parts did. Simple things like china made water pump shafts might be 1/8" longer or a pulley might be a little thicher or moter mounts off set just a little and the fan gets too close to the radiator so you move the fan back and it hits the compressor. And that brings me back the the fan hitting the compressor. I saw the VA system running and the fan did not hit the compressor then. I did not notice the upper hose but the fan was not hitting. With my system sometimes the fan hits the compressor and sometimes not, mostly not. On a 302 if it hits one time it should hit every time. Or if it clears on one engine it should clear on them all. Just saying

 

[chuck]

I purchased the same VA a/c system from a vender. I plan on selling it and buying Chucks from BC. Does anyone know it the compressors are the same? I have a complete kit only thing that has been installed is the compressor, but in the mockup stage, never installed hoses.

All Sanden 508 compressors are not the same but the VA compressor is the same as the one we use. As long as the compressor is new the warr. is good so you can either let the one you have now go with the unit you have now or pass the new one along to the new buyer or let him know that he will have to use a new compressor and keep yours and buy the new A/C without a compressor.