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1958 A/C help

Started by D. Mailan, August 09, 2023, 12:48:38 AM

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D. Mailan

Hello all!
Hope summer is treating everyone well. I'm currently working on my 58 coupe de villes ac trying to get it up and running. It's a factory ac car and all the components are there. I need to know how I can get more airflow through the vents on the dash. Air comes out of them but it does not feel strong. Is this normal? Has anyone substituted the blower for a more efficient/powerful one? And where should I check for air leaks? Any recommendations to improve air flow would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Derick

Chopper1942

Check that all the manual controls are moving their doors to the proper positions and make any necessary cable adjustments. Check the ducts and hoses to the outlets for proper assembly. Does it have 4 blower speeds? A resistor controls the three lower speeds and a relay usually supplied B+ directly to the blower motor bypassing the resistor trio. Check your wiring diagram.

The blower motor should move a large volume of air.  If the blower runs slow, you may have a B+ or B- voltage drop. Perform a voltage drop test on the blower's B+ & B- voltage circuits. If OK, remove the motor and connect a fused jumper from the blower terminal to the battery and ground the blower motor housing. the motor should spin very fast. If not, the motor bearings may be dry. If you remove the squirrel cage, you can put a few drops of oil on the shaft and bearing. I use to drill a very small hole in the very end of the housing and squirt a few drops of light oil in the hole, and then spin the motor with the jumpers.  If it makes an improvement seal the hold and reinstall the motor.  If it still runs slow or is hard to turn, try lubing again. If no inprovement, you will probably need a new motor.

Cadillac Jack 82


These units weren't as strong as todays units.  My CDV would blow moderately on high but its nothing that would compare to todays stuff.  5 LBS of R12, unless converted, should set you straight provided everything is in working order.  Also 57-58 in dash AC units were known to be marginal.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1948 Buick Roadmaster 76S Sedanette
1959 Cadillac CDV
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Coupe
1940 Chevy Coupe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Super Panama
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1964 Cadillac SDV
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

V63

I echo The 57-58 In dash system was pathetic. Very poor movement of air.

The ductwork under the dash was expansive,  and poor sealing as it was applied directly to underside of the dashtop.

 I completely removed the original ductwork and utilized  2" black PVC which improved the discharge, i also upgraded the blower to a much later model assembly.

D. Mailan

#4
Thank you for your replies. The blower motor does go through all the speeds. I'm assuming it's working properly. I will take it out and oil it. That is a very good idea. A question for V63: what type of blower motor did you replace the old one with? I'm interested in finding a good replacement blower motor if I can.
Is there anything else I should be looking for?

And if anyone else has ideas for how I can get more airflow that would be great!
Also, if anyone has pictures of the 57/58 evaporator that would be extremely helpful.
Thanks!
Derick

V63

I believe I used a 1977- 1984 deville blower assembly if memory serves?

 As we speak I am using a 2014? Blower from a rear mini van unit and its very impressive output in a 1961 Chevrolet truck.

The duct work of the 57-8 has so many leaks and poor design that I do not know the success you will have unless getting extremely deep into the dash board. Good news your glove box could serve cold beverages.

If you are not too concerned with 100 % original Underhood appearances you might consider updating to a modern parallel flow condensor. Minimumly, I try and do that to all my vehicles.