Cool/Heat: Cool Master A/C systems ... anybody use one?

[what huh]

http://coldmasterinc.com/small-cars-and-trucks/

Hi SDC,

I was doing to some A/C research and came across this company that sells these universal kits for A/C. And then I saw that price and I thought that it was very cheap compared to other companies. Cool Master is $4-500 cheaper then others. Granted that this is only A/C not heat but I dont take her out in the winter.

Anybody use products from this company? Price seems to good to be true


The link below is to a nice brown on that would match Lucys interior nicely and its $500 soup to nuts

http://coldmasterinc.com/product/new-a-c-kit-universal-under-dash-evaporator-202-100-12v-brown-12x16in-condenser/

[52hawk]

There are lots of similar kits on ebay. I bought one for under $400,just like this 'coldmaster',except it didn't have the electric fan for the condenser. The only problem was the noise from the fan. I couldn't find any solution for that,[the fan being too close to the occupants in the car].
Forgot to say-this was in my '61 Hawk.

[thunderations]

I've been using a similar unit in our 66 Daytona since 2013 and it's been great. Cools the car in Phoenix temps. Just make sure your cooling system is 100% and don't try to use it in parade conditions, idling for long periods.

[tsenecal]

They seem like a useable setup. The underdash unit is not quite as arttractive as some of the higher priced ones, but is presentable. Also the universal kit has make your own hose kits. They are made up by the installer, and clamped with stainless bands, but I have seen them used on equipment, and they seem to hold pressure just fine. They are certainly more affordable. If you decide to try one out, let us know how it worked out for you.

[what huh]

Wow thanks for the quick replies guys. I have a hydraulic fitting machine at work that I have access to for making the hoses.

As far as attractive, whatever keeps me cool is attractive in my book. A big part of the classic car cruising game for me is relaxing and comfort lol

[SScopelli]

These "Kits" are good for supplying the parts. The difficult parts are the AC bracket, and the AC pulley itself. If you can find an AC pulley you might be ahead of the game.

If MC is providing it, they will also provide spacers because you may have to move other components, Alt, Power Steering, etc. to accommodate their pulley..

There use to be a vendor Bob Helm in Texas that had all the good parts for the AC and a nice looking under dash unit.

I believe Vintage Air worked with Bob to make his kits..

Click Here ==>> https://www.vintageair.com/search-re...qry=studebaker

You can see the spacers in the kit..

I'm a fitment freak and had to use the parts, and modify them to get it to fit the way I liked it. I did not use any spacers..

Most dryers are on the right wheel well, but that is just lazy..

So it will not be a one day task to bolt it in.

I also used a smaller hose because the supplied one was bigger than the radiator hose.. Couldn't figure that out.

Click to see my album ==>

[JoeHall]

Thanks to Summit Racing, we can buy a compressor mount made specifically for Stude V8, with or without PS. The one for power steering equipped Studes is Summit #151593-SSA, at $302 ; without PS is 151591-SSA, at $263, and 151590-SSA without PS or crank pulley, at $192.

I installed #151593-SSA in my PS equipped 62GT about seven years and 45,000 miles ago, when I rebuilt the 289. It was a complete kit, right down to nuts, bolts, washers and spacers. I prefer it, because it takes the belt load off the water pump pulley, by using an idler pulley alongside the PS pump. It has been trouble free. I plan to install one on the wife's 63GT someday, when I get round to it. It has the kind that runs a 2nd sheave on the water pump, which puts needless side load on the pump bearing.

[SScopelli]

Thanks to Summit Racing, we can buy a compressor mount made specifically for Stude V8, with or without PS. The one for power steering equipped Studes is Summit #151593-SSA, at $302 ; without PS is 151591-SSA, at $263, and 151590-SSA without PS or crank pulley, at $192.

I installed #151593-SSA in my PS equipped 62GT about seven years and 45,000 miles ago, when I rebuilt the 289. It was a complete kit, right down to nuts, bolts, washers and spacers. I prefer it, because it takes the belt load off the water pump pulley, by using an idler pulley alongside the PS pump. It has been trouble free. I plan to install one on the wife's 63GT someday, when I get round to it. It has the kind that runs a 2nd sheave on the water pump, which puts needless side load on the pump bearing.

If you see the link to the Vintage Air, they are the ones that make the brackets that summit sells. Same part numbers..

I do not believe the power steering belt ever went around the water pump, only the Alt/Gen.

Factory AC they added a AC pulley to the crank, and the water pump sandwiched on the original pulleys

I used the R1 Avanti water pump pulley so I could easily used the thermal clutch fan, The AC belt now is the only belt on the water pump pulley. The PS and Alt belts just run off the crank.

[JoeHall]

If you see the link to the Vintage Air, they are the ones that make the brackets that summit sells. Same part numbers..

I do not believe the power steering belt ever went around the water pump, only the Alt/Gen.

Factory AC they added a AC pulley to the crank, and the water pump sandwiched on the original pulleys

I used the R1 Avanti water pump pulley so I could easily used the thermal clutch fan, The AC belt now is the only belt on the water pump pulley. The PS and Alt belts just run off the crank.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]82196[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]82197[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]82198[/ATTACH]

You misunderstood. I did not say the PS belt ran on my 63GT's water pump pulley, but the alternator belt and compressor belts do. The PS belt runs between the AC and WP belts. The compressor belt is adjusted by an idler that is located down near the crank pulley, as in your pic.

My 63GT has factory AC, but I swapped the original compressor out for a Sanyo 508 style.

[Hawkowner2]

I purchased one of these kits and installed it on my GT
mounting the compressor on the generator bracket and faced a bracket using a Hawk alternator bracket from a 63 GT. I had a problem with the first compressor and Cold Master replaced it and the dryer no questions asked. And the kit was over a year old. I have been in their place of business and they have a huge inventory. They have been in business over 25 years. They do a lot of small bus installations.Very good people.

[JoeHall]

These "Kits" are good for supplying the parts. The difficult parts are the AC bracket, and the AC pulley itself. If you can find an AC pulley you might be ahead of the game.

If MC is providing it, they will also provide spacers because you may have to move other components, Alt, Power Steering, etc. to accommodate their pulley..

There use to be a vendor Bob Helm in Texas that had all the good parts for the AC and a nice looking under dash unit.

I believe Vintage Air worked with Bob to make his kits..

Click Here ==>> https://www.vintageair.com/search-re...qry=studebaker

You can see the spacers in the kit..

I'm a fitment freak and had to use the parts, and modify them to get it to fit the way I liked it. I did not use any spacers..

Most dryers are on the right wheel well, but that is just lazy..

So it will not be a one day task to bolt it in.

I also used a smaller hose because the supplied one was bigger than the radiator hose.. Couldn't figure that out.

Click to see my album ==>

Looking closer at your pix, I like the way you ran the alternator belt straight to the crank pulley. I am definitely gonna try setting mine up that way. I have always disliked the idea of two belts putting side load on the WP. This looks like a simple solution, and cost only the price of a belt. Thanks !

[JoeHall]

SScopelli, looking once again at your pix, it appears you have an aftermarket compressor mount. Mine is an OEM mount, with an adapter on top for the Sanyo 508. Looked at mine this morning, and the OEM mount will not allow routing the alternator belt directly to the crank pulley, as yours does. I have not given up yet, as it may be possible to do some slicing and dicing on the mount, but as is, it's a no-go.

[SScopelli]

SScopelli, looking once again at your pix, it appears you have an aftermarket compressor mount. Mine is an OEM mount, with an adapter on top for the Sanyo 508. Looked at mine this morning, and the OEM mount will not allow routing the alternator belt directly to the crank pulley, as yours does. I have not given up yet, as it may be possible to do some slicing and dicing on the mount, but as is, it's a no-go.

If not for photobucket and attack ads and extortion, I could have pointed you to the detailed pics of this installation. Many of my build photos were uploaded there, and then I cleaned up my computer (mistake..). After the photobucket attacks I tried to even get back my own pictures and they kept blocking my retrieval.

But that mount was from Bob Helm, and yes, I had to modify it a bit. But like the OEM, the Idler pulley is on a slide on the front left side.

I'm trying to get more pics.

If you notice I was also able to get the heater hose to come out on the right of the water manifold, and not left when factory installed the AC. A simple "street" 45 and the 5/8 hose barb worked perfect.

[JoeHall]

If not for photobucket and attack ads and extortion, I could have pointed you to the detailed pics of this installation. Many of my build photos were uploaded there, and then I cleaned up my computer (mistake..). After the photobucket attacks I tried to even get back my own pictures and they kept blocking my retrieval.

But that mount was from Bob Helm, and yes, I had to modify it a bit. But like the OEM, the Idler pulley is on a slide on the front left side.

I'm trying to get more pics.

If you notice I was also able to get the heater hose to come out on the right of the water manifold, and not left when factory installed the AC. A simple "street" 45 and the 5/8 hose barb worked perfect.

Problem with the OEM mount is, the metal plate which the idler pulley mounts on is directly inline with the alternator belt. It appears only that plate's corner would interfere with the belt, I will see if trimming that corner would allow enough clearance for the belt. So now I have a principle in mind, and at least can experiment from here. Thanks

Yes, I noticed the heater hose exit and thought it was very clever. Definitely makes for a cleaner install.

[53k]

When I put AC on my '64 Daytona convertible in 2009 (yes, the wife complained about the heat with the top down), I ordered a complete kit from J&N Auto Air Conditioning (good Studebaker guys) in Texas. I got a COMPLETE installation kit, every nut, bolt, belt, clamp, hose, etc. About the only things necessary were cutting the holes where necessary and planning where the screws went. The main parts were from Vintage air, but the J&N guys added everything else. The Daytona did not have power steering which made the installation a little easier.
I don't know if these pix help, but check it out.