Tech | Vintage Air Install
This just in: size does matter after all-and smaller is better! Well, maybe not for everything, but when it comes to things cluttering your engine compartment, small and compact is good. Air conditioning generally takes up a fair amount of space under the dash and under the hood and Vintage Air knows this as well as anyone. A couple of years back, with great success we might add, the company introduced its Frontrunner complete serpentine conversion system that reduces all the engine mounted accessories to a tight-knit cluster that mounts only to the engine block via a custom billet CNC-machined timing cover. This doesn't clutter up the front of the cylinder heads, allowing them to be removed easily, should you need to, without disturbing the front dress.
The Frontrunner is driven by a serpentine belt to help simplify the system and uses an OE spring-loaded tensioner for hassle-free use and adjustment. To help stay in the confines of the engine block's footprint, Vintage Air's new and exclusive TiteFit compact compressor package fits in a spot that's not much bigger than the alternator! Precision machined then hard-coated, the Frontrunner's aluminum pulleys reduce weight, but wear like steel. Plus the pulley sizes are engineered and matched for optimum component speeds, which reduces failure and maintenance.
Here's most of what you need...
Here's most of what you need to outfit your small-block Ford with Vintage Air's Frontrunner serpentine system. We're installing PN 174103-SFA, which retails for $2,275. The kit includes a Delphi-Saginaw compact power steering pump, a Stewart high-performance aluminum water pump, a Sanden SD7 A/C compressor, ARP hardware, polished brackets, and a 140-amp alternator.
The Frontrunner was only available for the small-block Chevy engines at first, but for all of us Blue Oval fans, it's been available to order for your small-block Ford in your classic Mustang, Ford, or Ford-powered street rod or kit car for a while now.
Early Ford trucks don't always have, and in fact rarely do they have, much room under their shallow dashboards for extra stuff like stereos and A/C units. Many older factory or dealer-installed A/C units typically hung well below the bottom of the dash, just like the more recognizable Mustang underdash systems. But it was all in the name of comfort, right? Now we can have both! Vintage Air has had great success with its Gen II unit and now has it in a mini version as well, which would work perfectly in the mid-'60s F-100, like the one that we're working on here that has a 351 Windsor in it.
This is what makes up the...
This is what makes up the Vintage Air Mini Gen-II A/C unit. We have the evaporator, condenser, dryer, vents, a bag of fittings, heater control valve, and the hoses. This can be ordered under the 66005 Series from $410-$485 depending upon options.
Set aside a Saturday with your classic Ford, Mustang, or truck and you could have air conditioning in it in and a killer serpentine belt drive that leaves plenty of underhood real estate in no time thanks to Vintage Air!
Let's look at installing the...
Let's look at installing the Frontrunner first. If you're putting the Frontrunner on an engine that's already in your vehicle you'll need to take all the original accessories off, drain the oil, and then pull the damper off with the appropriate puller so it doesn't get damaged. If you are using an aftermarket damper, a pulley spacer might be required, so check with Vintage Air.
Remove the front cover and...
Remove the front cover and clean the gasket surface on the engine block. The instructions state to drop the oil pan, but anyone who has ever done a cam swap in a Ford will tell you that's not necessary, but you do need to remove the front four oil pan bolts, as they pass into the bottom of the timing cover.
Using a little bit of gasket...
Using a little bit of gasket sealer, set the new gasket for the Frontrunner's impressive CNC-machined front cover/main truss and get ready to put it on the engine.
Before you get too far into...
Before you get too far into it, sort through the stainless hardware that comes with the Frontrunner and measure each bolt to make sure it goes in the right hole as listed in the directions and always use anti-seize on stainless threads! Due to block differences it may be necessary to cut/grind a thread or two off of some bolts.
Being careful with the gasket,...
Being careful with the gasket, the Frontrunner CNC timing cover/truss is set in place and secured with the proper hardware from the kit.
Once you have a few bolts...
Once you have a few bolts in the main truss to hold it on the engine you can install the Stewart hi-flow water pump. Don't forget a light coating of adhesive to hold the water pump gasket in place during the installation.