Want to install Factory A/C system in my '54 Fleetwood

[64\/54Cadillacking]

I know this will be a huge challenge and ordeal, but I found someone locally that's parting out a '54 Fleetwood and this car has factory A/C with pretty much all the parts that's still in the car besides for a few missing items such as the mounting brackets and other lines that associates with it.

Does anyone know if Cadillac installed these A/C systems from the assembly plant or was it a dealer installed option? Because I can't imagine someone installing everything from the dealer it just seems like a ton of work to do and about 2-3 days worth amount of labor.

Also, what I've noticed on this particular Fleetwood vs mine is that with the factory A/C and how the tubing goes through the headliner, the headliner material feels much thicker and heavily padded compared to the headliner in my Fleetwood that feels
much thinner. Did the A/C cars use plusher headliner material?

And OMG, the A/C compressor has to be the heaviest compressor I've ever picked up in my life!! These things are huge and weigh a freaking ton! How in the heck did they install these? You have to have at least 2-3 people to help mount the beast on the bracket unless your the Hulk, since it has to weigh over 100lbs by itself and that doesn't include the evaporator and blower motor housing that's in the trunk.

The A/C system on the '53-56 Cads is very complex in nature and looks to add an additional 200-300lbs to the cars curb weight. Would I need to change anything suspension related?

Any recommendations to get started and where should I start first with installing all the parts? BTW do I need the old A/C lines thats routed underneath the car or no? Because they look pretty rotted out to be honest.

Thanks fellow Cadillackers.

[V63]

I want to say the dealer installed only the version that discharged air from the package tray.

I have done this project before. You will need to cut a hole in the trunk floor for the lines. The original lines are copper and you could fashion new ones .... or use rubber. Maybe cut off the sections of copper saving the ends and solder the intermediate??? (The section under car reported as rotted). Remember pulleys  and spacers, there are spacers on the power steering pump. The condenser is steel and also heavy.

I have majority of the system available  from a 1955 sedan including the copper lines.

[Lexi]

64\/54Cadillacking: I may have some AC brackets plus a ton of other '56 stuff that may work. What you should first be on the hunt for is the lengthy service and information booklet called "Air Conditioning in Cadillac Cars", as published by GM in 1953. Presently, I am not aware of another '50s edition. I believe 1953 was the year that AC was widely first offered, (exempting some earlier Cadillac oddities), so it is presumed that '54 would be similar if not the same. I would scan and copy this, but at 119 printed pages it is too long. It is like a programmed learning item much like the GM Cadillac Roundtable booklets but it also contains sections that are more detailed that I presume were copied from the 1953 Shop Manual. A very nice informative package, all under one cover. The 1953 to 1956 Cadillac Servicman publications would also be another valuable source of information. I seem to recall that an affiliate site has made available the (entire?) contents of this AC publication. Could not put eyes on it at the time of writing, but if still there hope I can locate and post later for you if you do not locate it first. As you proceed I can probably post other related documents and ephemera that may also assist as required. Hope this helps. Clay/Lexi

[64\/54Cadillacking]

I want to say the dealer installed only the version that discharged air from the package tray.

I have done this project before. You will need to cut a hole in the trunk floor for the lines. The original lines are copper and you could fashion new ones .... or use rubber. Maybe cut off the sections of copper saving the ends and solder the intermediate??? (The section under car reported as rotted). Remember pulleys  and spacers, there are spacers on the power steering pump. The condenser is steel and also heavy.

I have majority of the system available  from a 1955 sedan including the copper lines.

Thanks for that info. You said spacer on the power steering pump? What does it look like because maybe the part is there somewhere in the parts pile.
Some of the parts were taken off the car so I'm not sure where everything goes exactly.

He doesn't have the condenser, but I was able to get the dryer and the lines that go to it. So I'm going to have to source a condenser from someone.

Here are some pics I took of what I have so far. I plan on picking up the rest of the A/C parts at another time.

[64\/54Cadillacking]

64\/54Cadillacking: I may have some AC brackets plus a ton of other '56 stuff that may work. What you should first be on the hunt for is the lengthy service and information booklet called "Air Conditioning in Cadillac Cars", as published by GM in 1953. Presently, I am not aware of another '50s edition. I believe 1953 was the year that AC was widely first offered, (exempting some earlier Cadillac oddities), so it is presumed that '54 would be similar if not the same. I would scan and copy this, but at 119 printed pages it is too long. It is like a programmed learning item much like the GM Cadillac Roundtable booklets but it also contains sections that are more detailed that I presume were copied from the 1953 Shop Manual. A very nice informative package, all under one cover. The 1953 to 1956 Cadillac Servicman publications would also be another valuable source of information. I seem to recall that an affiliate site has made available the (entire?) contents of this AC publication. Could not put eyes on it at the time of writing, but if still there hope I can locate and post later for you if you do not locate it first. As you proceed I can probably post other related documents and ephemera that may also assist as required. Hope this helps. Clay/Lexi

Thanks so much for that Clay. I'll try to find the booklet online somewhere. That should be a great read. If I can't find the rest of the parts for the system,
I'll definitely ask you guys and see what you have.

I actually do have a Serviceman for the '54,  it's tucked away somewhere and I honestly don't know where I put it unfortunately. Got a shop manual as well, but it doesn't have detailed info that I really need like the booklet above I'm sure has.

[James Landi]

I csn attest to the fact that the monster a/c components put out more chilly a/c than you'll ever require.  When I was commuting to work ninety miles a day during hot summers back in the 60's and early 70's in my '56 sdv, my side windows would fog and condensate would drip on my neck from those lovely chrome aircraft styled ceiling outlets. CLay/Lexi has urged others with Cadillacs of this era to be mindful of the need for a perfectly operating cooling system and to upgrade the cooling fan.  Alas, I can also attest to the fact that on one hot summer's day while sitting in traffic with the a/c on and my temperature gauge at mid range (something I never experienced),one of the exhaust valves failed, and I was suddenly running on seven cylinders.  I've always attributed that failure to partially blocked  cooling passages in the cylinder heads.   Hope this helps, James

[Lexi]

Thanks so much for that Clay. I'll try to find the booklet online somewhere. That should be a great read. If I can't find the rest of the parts for the system,
I'll definitely ask you guys and see what you have.

I actually do have a Serviceman for the '54,  it's tucked away somewhere and I honestly don't know where I put it unfortunately. Got a shop manual as well, but it doesn't have detailed info that I really need like the booklet above I'm sure has.

The 1953 GM publication I previously referred to, "Air Conditioning in Cadillac Cars", is partly like a programmed learning training tool. So it is "dumbed" down to a 3 Stooges level so individuals like me can understand the murky world of early Cadillac air conditioning. Then it gets more serious with apparent Shop Manual chapters included. A good mix. Still cannot remember where that free posting of it was, but still looking.    Clay/Lexi

[64\/54Cadillacking]

I csn attest to the fact that the monster a/c components put out more chilly a/c than you'll ever require.  When I was commuting to work ninety miles a day during hot summers back in the 60's and early 70's in my '56 sdv, my side windows would fog and condensate would drip on my neck from those lovely chrome aircraft styled ceiling outlets. CLay/Lexi has urged others with Cadillacs of this era to be mindful of the need for a perfectly operating cooling system and to upgrade the cooling fan.  Alas, I can also attest to the fact that on one hot summer's day while sitting in traffic with the a/c on and my temperature gauge at mid range (something I never experienced),one of the exhaust valves failed, and I was suddenly running on seven cylinders.  I've always attributed that failure to partially blocked  cooling passages in the cylinder heads.   Hope this helps, James

James, I bet it was! The A/C system that was designed from 1953-56 was the best A/C system GM ever made. I mean from the massive compressor, to the location of the air outlets on the headliner, it was the perfectly designed AC system simply because both front and rear passengers equally had air outlets that pointed directly at them and I am sure the entire interior got freezing cold and everyone was comfortably cool in 100+ degree weather 

Nothing wrong with having AC re-located under the dash including the vents, but for as large as the Fleetwood interiors were during those years, I don't think having the more modern style AC system would have cooled as well as you would only have cold air coming from dash. It had to cost Cadillac a fortune to make the AC stuff prior to '57. I'll keep in mind about the cooling system. Once I get everything connected and installed I'll
work on making sure that the engine cooling system gets an upgrade somehow.

I'm still piecing together everything, I don't plan on having it installed tomorrow, this is going to take a long time as I need to make sure I have all the parts I need to make it work right.

My headliner is all ruined, so when the time comes to having it replaced, I'll install the vents and components that go along the rear deck lid.

[64\/54Cadillacking]

The 1953 GM publication I previously referred to, "Air Conditioning in Cadillac Cars", is partly like a programmed learning training tool. So it is "dumbed" down to a 3 Stooges level so individuals like me can understand the murky world of early Cadillac air conditioning. Then it gets more serious with apparent Shop Manual chapters included. A good mix. Still cannot remember where that free posting of it was, but still looking.    Clay/Lexi

Clay, I found a few of those manuals on EBay. I'm going to buy one and hopefully it will help me piece together how it's all setup. Thanks again for letting me know about it. 

[64\/54Cadillacking]

Hey guys, I have a huge favor to ask you to the ones that have factory AC installed on on your 53-56 Cads, could you post some pictures under the hood so I'll know what I am still missing such as brackets, hoses, lines and other parts?

 V63 mentioned the powering steering spacer for AC cars. What does that look like?

BTW the AC compressor is literally bigger and way heavier than my vintage 1947 Crosley Shelvador fridge!! I'm still so surprised on how huge they are lol. One compressor could easily cool 2 full size refrigerators or one massive commercial unit. 😂🤣

[64\/54Cadillacking]

Hey guys, what other brackets should I look for? And do a/c cars use idler pulleys, if so how many? The power steering pump spacer what does this look like? I see that some of the AC parts are 1954 only, while the 55-56's seem slightly different such as the condenser and the a/c switch mounted under the dash. The compressors seem the same though.

I'm trying to piece together all the parts I need which seems like a laundry list still. If any of you have some spare parts to sell, please let me know what you have available.

Thanks.

[V63]

I believe the AC service manual
Supplement has mention of all the specific parts to include the PS spacers. They are round about 1/2 inch thick, 3/8 hole in the center? Total of 2 I believe.

[Caddy Wizard]

54 is a one year only car for AC -- later years have slightly different several of the components.  If you are set on adding factory air to your 54, find a 54 parts car with air and take everything off of that, including the air conditioning wiring harness.  The easiest way to do that also would be to use a coupe as a donor parts car and skip the plastic tubes and ceiling-mounted manifolds.

The spacers are important.  I find that "lock collars" have the same dimensions and can be located in big hardware stores.

[64\/54Cadillacking]

You're right guys, the '54 just like the 1953-55-56 are all different using different parts although they look very similar.

The '54 has its only 1 year compressor, condenser and even the blower switch. Other components are similar to the 55's such as the evaporator assembly and air outlets registers mounted on the rear fenders.

It seems like most guys here on the forum own either the 55's or 56's and not too many 54's or 53's it seems. It's good to know all the little small changes that have been made between each years because we know what parts can and can't work on specific years.

I am sure too that there's always somehow one can modify and make something work on these cars if they really wanted to.

Just saw an old YouTube video of a '53 Series 62 with factory A/C and I loved how the rear evaporator assembly had a "Made by Frigidaire" logo on the housing that was the last year for the Frigidaire built A/C Cadillacs which I thought was really cool. The system is essentially the same design as the Frigidaire from 1954-56, but Harrison corporation took over manufacturing the A/C components for Cadillac at the time. I noticed that the  A/C blower control switch panel assembly was from a '55-56 Caddy with temperature control dial that the owner must have installed instead of the "fixed" ones from the'53.

So I guess the later control switch panels can be used on the older years probably with some wiring modifications.

[Lexi]

Hey guys, I have a huge favor to ask you to the ones that have factory AC installed on on your 53-56 Cads, could you post some pictures under the hood so I'll know what I am still missing such as brackets, hoses, lines and other parts?

 V63 mentioned the powering steering spacer for AC cars. What does that look like?

My car is still parked for the season so I can't get at it to take photos. Attached are a couple of diagrams that may assist. Not even sure where I got them from. Idler pulleys are mentioned but they must be on early models (I don't have them on my car). Also attached is a shot from a reprinted 1959 MPL page that lists the spacers. I always thought there were 3 required, as per this MPL listing, but I could be wrong. Please Note: I am refereing to the spacers on the PS side. Yes, PS, as is related to this AC discussion as the spacers on that side are needed in AC equipped cars. Think it has to do with the 3 grooved pulleys used for AC, so spacers needed to keep all V belts lined up. Perhaps if Art reads this he can confirm the need for 3 (or 2?) spacers on the PS side?

I am actually looking for 1 original PS spacer myself if anyone has one to sell.  Let me know.

I think if you went to an industrial hardware supplier (Fasco? got that name right?) they got ones that are very close in physical dimensions to the originals. Can post pics with digital micrometer measurements of an original if you wish. There are also other spacers noted in the diagram on the compressor side. There is also a line spacer required on the compressor side which are tough to find. Also, I imagine you will require 3 groove pulleys at least that is the way things are on my '56. Think '55 first used the double groove pulley on the generator for AC equipped cars. I wonder if the absecnce of PS as well as a double grooved pulley for the generator dictated the use of idler pulleys on early cars as noted in the first diagram? I believe I have some of these parts, but not 100%. They are as scarce as hen's teeth. Art Gardner's suggestion of finding a donor car is best. Clay/Lexi

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Finding the boots from the fans to the vents will be an issue.  Most of these turn to stone after all this time and shatter when you try to install them.  It would be nice if someone repoped these.

[V63]

The diagram above is not a factory system, appears aftermarket for a square compressor, not the round Harrison compressor.,

[Lexi]

You are probably correct as I cannot reconcile with that square compressor mount either. I don't remember them except that I recall the compressors being round as well. If some of these parts are for an aftermarket set up perhaps that is the reason for the idler references? Unfortunately I am not familiar with the '54 system. Attached are photos of what I think is a '56 compressor with brackets, (and no square mounting base). Clay/Lexi

[64\/54Cadillacking]

Thank you for all that Clay. I appreciate the added input from everyone as well. The square compressor mount looks aftermarket as well. As on the 54's at least, uses long skinny brackets to hold the compressor in place. I had no idea about the idler pulleys. Again I'm not even sure if that's factory correct either because it doesn't mention anything about idler pulleys in the shop manual. Just the unique water pump pulley, A/C compressor pulley and the 3 groove crankshaft pulley.

The condenser and receiver are also '54 only so I couldn't use one from a 55 or a 56. So many minor changes from one year to the next is simply incredible.

I hope to find out what that PS spacer exactly looks like and where it's mounted. At least metal brackets and spacers can always be fabricated to work right.

[Laspaz]

Those brackets looks about the same as on my 1954 series 75. Here is a video and some photos that might help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtY_5Pqx558&ab_channel=laspaz