I'm considering a MkII with the 3.8 and curious about adding AC. The engine bay looks really tight but space in front of the radiator looks extremely limited. Has anyone added AC to these cars?

 

Hi Thorsen,
Yes, Jaguar USA engineered an A/C systems for the MK2/3.8s/420 and a larger system for the MK10/420G. The MK2 used two condensers. The 3.8S, 420 & MK10/420G used only one condenser. There is a company, Classic Auto Air, that makes a kits for MK2 but it requires cutting multiple holes in the dash panel (firewall) and requires the battery to be relocated. The Classic auto system's evaporator is under the hood, the Jaguar system had the evaporator installed in the trunk. I've been told the Jaguar system did a good job. Then there is Vintage Air the makes trunk mounted system, but all the compressor and condenser brackets will need to be made.

I hope this helps.

 

That's great information - thank you Bob.

 

I have a 1964 a/c that came off a MK-2.

York compressor with special support bracket, behind-the-grille condenser, under-dash unit with evaporator and 3-speed fan, 1960's style inside unit, and hoses. No accumulator but a new one from a Series 3 XJ6 can be used.

all parts will need refurbishing and testing but can be made to work. The inside unit would be mounted in the passenger side. Not original or specially designed but doing an à/c as originally designed is a costly and involved job. Or just live without a/c like everybody else.

if you want the original system that blows cold air from the rear, contact Coventry Foundation here, they have an original system.

 

Thank you! I'm not sure I'm going down the MkII route yet but wanted to see if AC was do-able. I don't like sweating

 

get a S type or 420 instead. MK2 is smaller and a bit cramped. S type and 420 are a little roomier and have Independent Rear Suspension like the E type.

 

I have a friend who has the original system in his Mark 2, which was dealer installed when the car was new. Has a condenser in front of the radiator, and inside the car is an underdash unit in the passengers footwell.
To get a system that performs well in any of the small saloons is a lot of work. If Ac that performs well to modern standards in a hot climate is a "must have" then I'd probably start with a different car.

 

My apologies as I am still learning, it's a 3.8 S, I thought it was the same as the MkII, but I am assuming that's incorrect.

@Jagboi64 that's part of the challenge Air conditioning is my favorite part of automotive work.

 

I have a S Type as well and have though of putting AC in it. You'll probably need to convert to an alternator, which isn't the easiest thing because of the power steering pump siamesed to the back. I adapted a Mercedes fan to the front of the rad as a pusher, you could probably still fit a condenser in front of the rad and an electric fan.

There isn't a lot of space behind the dash, so fitting an evaporator and ducting and vents will be the main challenge I think.

 

That's great information. I was looking through the Moss catalog and saw the alternator upgrade - and couldn't figure out the power steering part of it. But now I do.

I'm probably going to pass on this one. I'm all about making upgrades in the name of safety, comfort, and reliability but I don't like hacking things together without being able to hide it behind some factory.

 

If you are looking to convert to an alternator and still require the power steering pump take off on the back then have a look at these.
https://simonbbc.com/dynalite-dynamo...amo-neg-earth/
I fitted one of these several years a go when I converted to Neg Earth. Looks like the original, does what the original does ie powers the PAS pump but is an alternator not a generator. Highly recommended. Direct replacement as it fits the original brackets.

 

the 3.8 S is the S type. It was a redesigned MK2, built from 1963 to 1967 or 68. They look very similar in the front.

 

The evaporator unit on the old units takes up half the trunk/boot. There are many ways of fitting a modern compact & efficient A/C unit to a Mk 2 or S Type including fitting an alternator with the PS drive off the tail (see Cass post). Go to a competent A/C shop & preferably one that has done a Mk2 before. Keep well away from huge reciprocating compressors & fit a swash plate unit. A couple of square inches of metal plate can keep a large (120 Litre) cooler box ice cold today. Times move on & there is plenty of room in front of the radiator for a compact modern condenser. You would not have to see anything in the cabin should you not wish to other than a temp Knob. You can see inconspicuous vents should you wish to blow air on your face.. See how little space the aircon unit takes up in the modern Mercedes. A Merc evaporator would easily fit behind a Mk2 or S Type console. And they work very well.

There is absolutely no excuse not to fit an inconspicuous aircon to a Mk2 or S Type today ~ and don't buy junk.

 

I am Jagboi’s friend with Mk 2 (1966). As stated, this car has its original 1966 AC under-dash unit, so there is nothing in the trunk related to the AC. When properly charged this system (which has the original York compressor) puts out very cold air and has no problem keeping the interior far more than comfortable - too cold in fact unless the temperature dial is turned up and as I do not a have 6 foot long right arm, it is effectively a “set and forget” system! When the charge drops because of a leak, well….
Oh, and the car is still positive ground, still with the original generator. No issues in that regard. With the 3.8 engine the cycling of the compressor is not even noticed. But the leak…

 

Prof. Greg, And that was in 1966. Imagine what is available now. Getting rid of the York thumper already relieves space & smooths idle. Clutched compressors are long gone.

The early units pioneered basically in Texas & later adopted by Jag as Delanair, made by Delaney Gallay in the UK for US cars only although some found their way to South Asia.

As I say in the early days the evapourator took up half the trunk.

This is an original early Mk2 installation. The evapourator was a ridiculously large affair mounted in the trunk of this early Mk2. They worked but their technology was of another age. Air was blown out of vents in the rear parcel shelf. Some even had the temp controller knob on the rear parcel shelf ~ ridiculous.

Mk2




S Type.

 

There are relatively compact systems (e.g. the website of Car Builder Solutions) sold in the UK for kit car constructors. Presumably, there are similar in other countries. I've no idea how well they function. A car of the Mk2 family shouldn't need a very powerful system as the passenger box is not so huge and, by modern standards, the glass area is small and upright.

 

Yes, we need to work out a time and place I can fix the leak!

 

Bulky, indeed. Here is the installation in my 1966 Mk 2: empty trunk area:



The original York compressor:


and the interior installation. Possibly cold knees for the passenger but otherwise perfectly satisfactory:

 

Prof. Greg ~ and that was 1966. Those clutched York compressors were as tough as nails but modern swash plate compressors are under half the size. They run all the time & only start pumping when the swash plate angle is changed by an actuator & the pistons start to reciprocate (approx 8 of them). Totally seamless right up to full pressure. Moss sells a Mk2, S type, 420 kit. I can't vouch for quality & it looks a little large to me by Mercedes standards,

Mercedes uses Nippon Denso compressors like Porsche uses Japanese manual transmissions/transaxles today. How times have changed.

Always love looking at your car. Beautiful inside & out.

 

I don't know when it started but Jaguar certainly used Nippon Denso compressors in the X300
I recently had to have one rebuilt for my X300. It is certainly much smaller than the compressors used on the Series 3 XJ6