Hi.I'm a newbie and proud to be a member.I was wondering if a/c will fit in a 302 pinto without to much problems?
The factory underdash a/c-heater box is a BIG PAIN IN THE SOMETHING to install. To remove and install it, you need to take it apart or assemble it under the dash.
I did one in my turbo car due to the stock blower and the turbo exhaust flange tring to fit in the same space. I did not install the evap., but that box gives me the heat and de-fog.
The evap. junction is smaller than the blower motor, but might be close for you. I know someone here will give you those details, but if you need I can tell you the size and location of the evap. "block". Do you have the a/c or the 302 in the car now? If you are adding the a/c to the car, please note that ALL the ducts, cables, elec., vac lines, brakets are different for the a/c; You will need a good donor.
Bill
No I don't have the 302 or the a/c in it yet.It still has the 4 cylinder 4 speed.I'm wanting to put a 302 c4 in it.I'm just trying to get everything lined up to make the switch.Thanks.
I've been looking into this myself and I'll give you my 2 cents worth. I have a 2.3 Ranger factory A/C donor with all of the pieces. The Pinto V6 used the same orientation/location and pieces as the 4 cylinder. The A/C compressor was mounted on the passengers side and the altenator on the 302 will also be on the passengers side so you'll need to fab a bracket. If you look at a early 90's V6 Taurus you'll get a representative idea about mounting orientation. The heater box on a stock A/C unit will extend to far into the engine bay to accomodate a v8 without almost destorying it. This is common on a Ranger V8 swap but is more intrusive on the Pinto. The best route to go, IMO, is the early Mustang underdash unit with temp control switch and evaporator. Donor pieces can also be homolgated together from a early 90's Taurus donor car. You will have to have custom hoses fabbed simply because of the fittings involved and the routing path. One of the biggest deterants is the location of the condenser in front of the radiator. It you want to use a grill, there just wont be a lot of room in front of the radiator for the condensor. The rad I have chosen is from a 78 Datsun 280z because it is the SAME SIZE as a V8 MII radiator but the inlet and outlets are swapped - keep this in mind while searching for parts. If you look thru early Mustang supply mags you can find a complete A/C underdash setup for around $800. This will be an excellent starting point as you have everything there. You may have to acquire a different condenser depending on the size and location of your radiator. This is the route I was planning on taking. After performing a mockup with the block in place and allowing for the fact that I will be using factory MII exhausts with a T5 bellhousing things are TIGHT. If you look at High Horse's posts with fabulous, shiney pics, you will see his fan pulley almost kisses the radiator. I refuse to cut out the fenders on my car, but that is just me. I've had it for 20 years and am fond of them ;D. I'll be using an electric fan and most people do this and will be surgically installing some form of hood scoop to facilitate height and aid in cooling. In short, once you install the fan, in my experience, there just isnt any room for the condenser. That isnt to say that you couldnt be creative and stick a small one from a Honda under the fender with its own fan. I have decided against doing the swap for the reasons mentioned here but if I were going to do it I would start with the early Mustang underdash kit since it is new and all the pieces are there. Do not let me dissuade you from this endeavor I am meerly voicing my own experience in the matter. If you can make it work, by all means please share and I'll be the first to sing your praises :afro:! Hope that this helps.
Thanks a bunch for the info.I' m no mechanic nor am I rich so I think I'll put a sunroof in and sweat it out.Thanks again.