Ferrari Mailing List: Service and functional A/C

[Rick Lindsay (rolindsay]

Hey F-Troopers,

   Just a short note to share a few of thoughts.

1) I am in the middle of a minor service on my '79 308GTB.  I've
   removed everything except to 5-8 bank cam belt cover (ran out of
   time) and am ready for a fruitful weekend.  I'm not using the
   words "minor service" clinically as per the 'manual' but rather,
   to just imply that the service I am doing is rather minor: cam
   belts, plugs, plug wires, all fluids and filters, general
   cleaning and engine/engine bay detailing.

2) A couple of days ago I removed the A/C compressor.  Anyone who
   has done that job should get a gold star for massive frustration
   management!  (I can offer the names of several self-help groups
   that will help with your rehabilitation.)  The reasons for its
   removal are two fold; (a) access to the 5-8 cam belt, and
   (b) it is being replaced.

3) I am working with a Dallas-based outfit that assembles and supplies
   A/C upgrade kits which are plug-n-play compatible with the OEM
   units.  The kits are also reversible so no classics are harmed in
   the installation of this product.  You know how adamant I am about
   that issue.

   At present, the company makes kits for Jaguars and Porsches, but
they want to offer a kit for 308 owners.  That's where I come in.
Together we are developing a 'kit' for the 308, which will replace
the entire puny factory 308 A/C.  The old, heavy York-based piston
compressor will be replaced by the smaller, lighter and more efficient Sanden 
unit, as was OEM in the last of the 308s in Europe and the
328s.  New R134a-rated hoses deliver refrigerant to a new condenser, 
mounted on the same hard-points as stock.  The new evaporator which
will mount where the existing OEM unit lives now, will retain the
existing central vents for a totally 'correct' appearance, but offer 
optional 'face' and/or 'body' vents on either side of the lower dash,
positioned to be as nearly 'invisible' as possible.

   As implied above, my car is the Guinea pig for the initial design
and implementation.  And as is my usual motif, I am photodocumenting
all steps in the process.  From these pictures and the subsequent
write-ups, a DIY installation manual will be written.  And of course
I will share all of the pictures with you.

   And in conclusion of this note, I want to thank Rock at RetroAir
for caring about the originality of our old cars, be they Jaguars,
Porsches or Ferraris.  I expect the quality and fit of this new kit
to be at the same standard of excellence that Jaguar and Porsche
owners have come to respect.  

   More when I know it.

regards,

-rick

PS: If there are any RHD 911 owners on the list, please contact me off
list at rolindsay [at] yahoo.com .  Thanks!