330 Air Conditioning Systems

This blog makes it so much easier to post current projects on our site. I can manage it, post pictures and describe what is going on without having to submit everything to my wife Gillian to be uploaded on the main website. It also is a way for you to ask questions or get a discussion going.

Here are some of the projects that we are working on.

I just finished installing an air conditioning system in a Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 that had one very difficult criteria to meet — “don’t visually alter the dash or interior in any way”. 330′s that came from the factory with A/C had the row of rocker switches moved to the left of the steering column so we had to work the evaporator around a cluster of wires and bulky switches. We altered the glove box in order to provide room for ducting, but not much else was altered.

I used a full modern r-134a system with barrier hose and a rotary compressor, so under the hood does not look too “period correct”. Have a look at the fabrication work to make the radiator cooling fans work and the altered glove box!

At the same time, I am installing a totally period correct A/C system in a 330 GTS that did not have it new. I lucked out when I bought probably the last evaporator unit for that model. As it goes, I am making some templates to have on file in case I have to make a copy of the original some time down the road.

This 330 GTS system is using the original cotton wrapped hose and correct hose ends as well as a restored York compressor. The most difficult task at hand is dealing with the fan speed and temperature control switches that double as the vent outlets. I cannot seem to find these switches/vents anywhere so I may modify the existing vents to accept modern switches but they will not have the script engraved/stamped into them. I guess this car is not going to Pebble Beach.

Incidentally, this same car was wrecked in the left rear. We repaired the damage and painted the car Pino Verde (pine green metallic).