Demetris
Well-Known Member
Well, i have been very patient using my TC as an everyday car for almost 6 years now, but last summer i decided that i had enough of the heat in the cabin during summers. Perhaps as i am growing old i like more and more some comfort, perhaps it is not nice to torture (sort of..) my passengers, so i planned to install air conditioning for this summer. The first step was to do something with the heat coming through the glass, so i fitted some UV absorbing films on the side and rear windows. The film has a very light green tint, a little lighter than the sundym glass. As it is illegal to install films on the windscreen, i replaced it with a sundym one. It already made a difference, so i am in the right path. I had the choice of the factory NADA type or something aftermarket along the lines of the simpler Delanair system. After some thought, i rejected the first option, despite it being nicer, because it seemed rather complicated to me. After all this unit was never designed for a 4 cyl car, leading to marginal clearance to the rocker cover, a need for a new windscreen scuttle panel, wiper system, vaccum tank etc. So last fall i bought a used aftermarket Alpineair system from the Rovering member. It is rather similar in principle to the Delanair unit, as it comprises of a new console incorporating an evaporator with a blower. Hardly a beauty, but at least it leaves room for the radio, retains the standard heater controls, as well as the choke and petrol reserve knobs. As i find the facia of the unit neither nice, nor efficient, i have in mind a modification to improve both issues. For the rest of the system, there was no point in chasing old inefficient parts, so i already bought a new Sanden SD7 compressor, and i am after an A/C condenser from an E39 BMW, as it has the correct shape and size to fit in front of the Rover radiator. A drier and pressure switch will complete the system, while the hoses will be mostly purpose made rubber. It seems that it is possible to mount the compressor in front of the carbs, using a similar bracket with the one the factory used for the York compressor. Of course this will have to be fabricated from scratch (thanks Kiwirover for the photos ) a new pulley attached to the existing crankshaft pulley, and the engine steady moved forward to make some space. The standard 2200 TC air filter box is way too bulky to be retained, but i figured out that it is possible to fit a modified 2000 TC air filter box. So this is not exactly a simple bolt on excercise, but nevertheless everything still is quite feasible.
A couple of photos testing the Alpinair unit.
A couple of photos testing the Alpinair unit.