69 air conditioning

[Jeffrey S.]

This is the first time I have logged on to this site so here goes. I have a question about a/c on my 69 small block. The last time I used the a/c at first the air blew really cold for about 20 minutes. Then the air felt much less cold (not warm). I turned off the system for about 10 minutes and when I turned it on again the air was ice cold again. I have been told that the problem is the POA valve which is stuck open. I purchased a replacement but found that the new unit is completely different from my original. Before I take the original one off for the service replacement I was hoping someone might be able to substantiate this diagnosis.

[John H.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

What you describe are the classic symptoms of "evaporator freeze-up", caused by the failure of the POA valve to modulate the flow of refrigerant (that's what the capillary line and sensor bulb on the end of it are for) - refrigerant flows and the core gets colder and colder until the moisture in the incoming air actually freezes on the core fins/tubes, and the ice buildup either stops or severely reduces airflow through the core. When you turned it off, the ice melted, and it worked fine again until it iced up again. Either the POA valve is indeed stuck open or the capillary tube has corroded open so the liquid in it has been lost and no longer controls the POA valve. Sounds like time for a new POA valve and capillary tube assembly.

John

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

John: Thanks for responding so quickly. I guess I just needed a second opinion and you seem to know what your talking about. There doesn't appear to be any rust on the two small lines coming from the POA so I'll assume that the POA is the culprit. Thanks again! Jeff

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 69 air conditioning

John knows his A/C, I have admired his responses for awhile.

Jerry

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Jef,

Remember the first rule of Corvette ownership:

DO NOT THROW AWAY THE OLD PARTS.

Welcome to the NCRS NDB>

Terry

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Terry:

Thanks for the advise! After owning this car for 29 years I have learnrd that lesson the hard way (alternator especially which took 4 years to find and replace). I will of course save the old POA in case someday someone will be able to rebuild it. I have found some NOS ones for ONLY $225.00. If I could find one for $100. I would consider buying one but until then the $50. service replacement will have to be the only non original part on this car.

Thanks again for your reponse.

Jeff

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Jef,

Saw your message about the first time on the site and I made some assumptions. See where it got me.

Going to bring the car around for us to see, or have we seen it already? Your comment about the only non-original part has me breathing heavy (naw scratch that - family site anyway, John will probably delete it - I am too old for that anyhow) the thought does have me excited. Can we see it, please, please, pretty please. :-))

Terry

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Terry:

I have never had my car judged at an NCRS meet. I was thinking of doing that at a Michigan chapter Meet this spring. As I said I have had this car since Feb. of 71. I purchased it from the original owner about a year after he purchased it new. I have the POP in my name. I used the car for 18 years as regular transportation and whenever anythig needed replacement I either had the original part rebuilt, saved the part and rebuilt it when I took the car off the road and restored it or purchased a NOS part. The only big mistake I made was with the alternator which is now back to correct. Of course the carpeting was worn out and had to be replaced but everthing else in the interior is original and in beautiful condition. Oh yes, the windshield cracked about 20 years ago and was replaced. Some items like the A.I.R. system and ignition shielding were removed very early on (who needed them) and stored in boxes in the basement until time to restore so they are original and also in "perfect" shape. I would be honored to have you look at my car but I think it would be very impractical and I doubt that you could learn very much- it's just a simple small block coupe with a lot of personal history.

Thanks very much for your interest. This "Discussion Board" thing is a terrific opportunity to interact with fellow members.

Jeff

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Hi Jeff:

Welcome to the DB by the way. Your car sounds very interesting to me, there aren't that many owners who have purchased them so new and kept them as long as you. Your documentation and owner history alone make this a special 69 in the class of the Joe Lucias of this board, ( Joe is an original owner of a 69 ), Hope you change your mind and let Terry take a look.

jerry

[Tom B.]

Re: Simple smallblock?

Jeff,

Don't for a minute believe that you have anything less than any other Corvette owner. The fact is that you have more in some catagories than others do, especially when it comes to a lengthy ownership, originality, and the stash of little-used or original parts that have made it with you all these years. Who knows what answers you (and others like you) may have, add, or verify to any of the Corvette questions. Glad to have you around. TBarr #24014

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Jeff,

You don't have to have it judged for me to look at - I do some of my best work in parking lots. Having said that - why not got for it. Chapter meets can be fun events and you can consider you are doing it "for the church" - you know, just to make our day. That way there is no pressure. It doesn't matter what options or body style you have. I remember Ed Gurdgian (I may be spelling that wrong - the tar top battery guy) telling us long ago that: "Every car has a story, the fun is figuring it out."

Patrick has been trying to talk me into coming over to your chapter meet. I think work interferes, but he has got me talked into the Holland event March 19, but that is LOTS closer. Holland works too because I am off work and it is just after a Restorer deadline. Nice way to relax.

Anyway - if I can get to the Michigan chapter meet I'll be sure to let you know. I really do want to see your car. Then I can tell you about the time I drove to Flint, spent 4 hours taking photos and drove home. Long day, but worth it. Just for one 1100 mile 1970.

Terry

[R. Dykstra]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Hi all,the A/C thread caught my eye and when Jeff stated that his was a simple small block, well I just had to post.Mine is also a "simple small block",but to me it has a special story,I purchased my '69 from the original owner just two years ago.She was 81 at the time,the car being a 51st b'day/25th anniversary present from her late husband.It was custom ordered,colour was changed 3 times during order period.Gold,then white,then finally Daytona Yellow!Options include;4 season A/C,tilt/tele,P/W,AM/FM stereo,tint,M-40 automatic,alarm,white stripe belted tires,and P-02 wheel covers.And of course the base motor 300hp/350.Well needless to say I love this car,not just for the car, but for the history.You see it came with the orig. salesman worksheet(hand written costs for options),mechanic's inspection sheet,bill of sale,POP,all in vehicle information cards,dealer brochure,owner man.,photo taken by dealer upon pickup of car(way cool),and every single reciept that had anything to do with the car in the last 30 years.Now the neat thing is that this car was driven,'5' times across America, twice to Florida,New York,Quebec,and a 10 year stint in Texas,all originating back to California.With just over 137,000 on the clock,my intentions were to restore, but looking at the history(which included a lunch date in Newport Beach to get the second set of keys(I'm from Canada)so a bit of a trip),I have decided to do as she has for 30 plus years,and just enjoy and maintain the car as a survivor,and show the car for it's history,a "simple small block",ya that's the ticket.sorry for being so long winded but......

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 69 air conditioning

And ya never got out of the backseat. I just couldn't help it Terry.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 plain SB

Hi,

At the March 19 event in Holland, we'll be featuring a similar no-option small block 72 for which the first two owners had the SAME NAME!

I'd love to see a plain 69 SB AC car at our MI Chapter event in June at "Cars in the Park." As Terry and I have discussed off-board recently, original cars make me get nervous and sweaty.... Nothin' like 'em!

Well, there was that....

Patrick Hulst

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 air conditioning

Actually I have five rolls of film of that car, but as I said that is another story.

Terry