I am looking for a trunk mount MK2 A/C. Prefer an Arctic Kar unit but any will suffice. I am located in the U.S.. Picture follows. Thanks.
Bob

 

contact www.classicautoair.com for one of their MK2 systems.

or contact member George Camp here in the forum, he has a factory trunk-mounted system.

I have some parts like the front behind-the-grille condenser, factory brackets, possibly rebuildable compressor and original used hoses from a '65 MK2.

 

curious as to why would you want the rear AC like the factory as that to me is lame as it does not provide the air where you need it and does not really work very well? Why not get one of the aftermarket AC systems where you have the airflow right where you need it in the front of the car with vents you can adjust like a modern car?

 

Primaz just wondering how much experience and miles you have in a rear air car? The biggest advantage is you can have a very large evaporator and keep the entire cabin cold enough to hang meat if you like. In fact the only thing you do not have is the blast in the face but if you follow the instructions and adjust the vents so that the air flows along the roof line you actually do get some "breeze" to your face. Evaps that mount under the dash are small and do not cool the entire car. The ones that hack into the firewall are a bit better but require butchering and use the unprotected spaces in the bulkhead for ducting--read rust! That said to each their own but why answer the OP's question with your opinion which like mine does not get him where he wants to go.

 

I appreciate the responses. My reason for a trunk a/c is the front mount units do not work that well, add heat to an already hot engine compartment, require moving the battery and are not period correct. In addition it is not integral with the heater / defrost which would allow a moisture free defrost as "modern" integrated units provide.

The trunk unit also has its shortcomings. It does cool the car albeit not in the same way as newer a/c systems do. George is correct.

I would appreciate assistance with locating this unit. I am well aware that it will require rebuilding to utilize 134a refrigerant.

Thank you.

Bob

 

Bob, if period correct is high on your list this won't work - but if you like to hack and butcher check out the units from Vintage Air out of Texas. These boys cater to the U.S. hot rod and restomod scene and they've developed some very efficient units that combine heater, evaporator and blower functions in a single CAD housing. I installed one in a Mark 2 years ago and functionality was close to a modern car. Eliminating the original heater box and blower is a big plus, as is the ability to dehumidify defrost air.

 

I see one "builder series" unit with a/c, heat and defrost. How did you install a/c vents in the car? Was the heat routed as the original heater was?

Bob

 

It's been many years - well before digital cameras - so I don't remember a lot of details. For AC there were 2 outlets in the parcel tray area (check out Lin's work in Valvechatter), and 2 outlets in the footwells. I think I plumbed the heat to the original plenum which also fed the rear. The major work was fabricating a shallow box on the firewall to house the unit - had to reduce the depth of the glovebox about an inch to fit everything. Let me know if there's any interest and I'll see if I can dig up some old pics - I'll be happy to scan them.

 

Vintage Air also has 3 different trunk mounted units, if that is what you want. They have A/C only and A/C and heat units.

https://www.vintageair.com/search-re...?sqry=trunk%20

 

I have purchased an "Arctic Kar" evaporator. My rotary compressor is mounted to the engine. I will fit and remove the unit before the car goes to paint.

I have seen identical units installed in a MK2 and the evaporator is on a "bracket stand" elevating the unit above the trunk ledge. Does anyone have these "brackets"

Thanks

Bob

 

Here's a picture of an original controls panel for a Jaguar a/c:

 

The negatives with old systems are:

~ Lack of efficiency & resultant issues with idle & fuel consumption
~ Environmentally unfriendly refrigerant to operate at their best
~ The huge amount of space they consume
~ Possible cooling issues
~ Nasty clutched compressors vs. seamless swash plate units

On a positive note they are period correct. If it was my own car I would want period correct.

Artic Kar Controls, vents, compressor, evapourator etc. as fitted by many US Dealers.

 

Here is an alternate setup for the 'S'

 

I gave up on air conditioning my S type. Too much hassle.

 

It is a bit of work to do the drilling, etc. to mount it but well worth it for comfort. Jose, I cannot believe you would give up on AC when you live in such a warm climate?

 

Primaz, because the Xj-6 a.c is fabulous and it doesn't overheat.

The S type is a different story, it always entails moving the battery to the trunk and I refuse. 25 foot long cables? no way Jose.

 

Those ducts on the Koolaire unit remind me of a 1955 Cadillac that my family once owned; the tubes, or ducts, on the Caddy were clear plexiglass so to not interfere with rearward vision. The Artic Kar installation is certainly less intrusive on the MK2 and S-type.

 

Those Coolaire ducts also foul up the Union Cloth headlining over time.

 

Hi Glyn
Could you explain what you mean by this? "Those Coolaire ducts also foul up the Union Cloth headlining over time."

Thanks

 

Make it dirty over time & depending on location (climate) encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi.