'65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

[Ray K.]

It's probably been a few years since this question's been asked, so I'm going to ask for any new "news" on C2 AC condensers . . .

I'm looking for insight and recommendations on where to (and where not to) purchase the "best" AC condenser for my '65 AC coupe. My original (see jpegs) is "beyond" restoration and I need to replace it. I'm going to be using R12 when it's all back together.

Does anybody have any sources that they can recommend purchasing one from?

Ray K
Member #43777

AC Condenser - GM 3849326 - IMG_3973 - 14Apr20.jpgAC Condenser - GM 3849326 - IMG_3974 - 14Apr20.jpgAC Condenser - GM 3849326 - IMG_3975 - 14Apr20.jpgAC Condenser - GM 3849326 - IMG_3976 - 14Apr20.jpgAC Condenser - GM 3849326 - IMG_3977 - 14Apr20.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Ray------


Well, I don't think NOS is going to be much of an option. The condenser for your application, GM #3849326, was discontinued without supercession in January, 1974. 46 years is a long time for the NOS supply to dry up. Even if you could find one it would probably cost a king's ransom.

I think your best bet, if not the only option, would be a reproduction condenser. Dr. Rebuild has an excellent reproduction available.

[Larry M.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

I believe their are a few companies that will make a condenser for you using your old frame. Contact Classic Auto Air and Old Air Products.

I know CAA is making one for my friends 1969 factory air Corvette using his old frame. I have not seen it yet to comment,

A good local Radiator/AC shop might also be able to make one for you. I would check around home to see if you can find a local shop.

Larry

[Dick W.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

I do not think that anyone reproduces the correct condenser. The rectangular blocks, upper and lower, on the right hand side are absent on all that I have seen. My guess is that only one or two companies are the source for the reproductions that everyone sells.

[Ray K.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Guys thanks for your input . . .

For your info, I've tried contacting Dr Rebuild, but, his online ordering phone number (1.800.8669.DOC) is no longer correct. And trying to order online indicates that he is "temporarily" closed (probably due to the Covid-19 virus).

I've also had to leave a message for contact Classic Auto Air's restoration, and, they still haven't returned my call.

Does anyone "by chance" know who is manufacturing these?

[Tom L.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Have you leak checked the condenser? If leak free, I'd say you could probably get it into reasonable condition. The one from my '72 was in worse shape and after some patient fin straightening work it's been working just fine for the last 4-5 years. Just a note, don't try to use a fin comb, it might work ok when done but may not look to good. I don't like those tools at all.

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Guys thanks for your input . . .

For your info, I've tried contacting Dr Rebuild, but, his online ordering phone number (1.800.8669.DOC) is no longer correct. And trying to order online indicates that he is "temporarily" closed (probably due to the Covid-19 virus).

I've also had to leave a message for contact Classic Auto Air's restoration, and, they still haven't returned my call.

Does anyone "by chance" know who is manufacturing these?

Ray------


My guess would be Old Air Products. You can contact them directly.

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Hello Ray,

It looks like we're facing the same challenge. I've got 2 small block '66 condensers with fin corrosion and fin damage. My original has more corrosion along the bottom edge than the one I recently purchased. That one has more crushed fin areas. Both have very nice side brackets and original hardware. No rust. I noticed that your condenser has excellent side brackets. What will be the hardest for you is finding a suitable condenser core that you can add your original side brackets to.

The '65 condenser has unique inlet and outlet tube shapes and lengths vs. '66 and '67 styles. A good NCRS buddy recently told me that the '64 used the same condenser as the '65? I'm not sure of this. But if it does, that would widen your options for the hunt of a used original. Maybe Joe knows if this is true?

From what I've seen so far, the repros that are currently being manufactured are very close to the '66 and '67 condensers. Your '65 original has much different connecting tube lengths and bends that would need to be replicated by the manufacturer of the repro condenser. (See attached file photo of a '65 original).

I'm with Tom. Have you leak checked your original? Yours looks pretty good to me and I'd bet it would clean up nice with a little TLC. Tom, I bought one of those fin combs and you're right. I'm not liking it so far. I might have to modify it a bit. I'd much rather use a slightly worn cleaned up original condenser than a repro any day. Tom, did you spray radiator paint on your original? What should we use for proper cooling?

Good luck Ray. And please let us know if you find a manufacturer that will reproduce those end tubes to original lengths and bends. I'd be very interested. Thanks, Mike.

'65 AC Condenser (file photo).jpg

[Tom L.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

As far as paint went I couldn't get a good piece of information about paint so I used VHT GM satin black. Just didn't put it on too heavy, just enough to make it black.

For the fins what I find works best is to use a small screwdriver, pic, whatever works and bend the fins that are bent over just so they're pointing up and no part is folded over. Tedious but in these times could serve as mental therapy. Once that's done I took two pieces of aluminum sheet metal (what I had on hand) about 2 x 2", put one piece on each side of a fin and squeezed. Makes the fins nice and straight but you lose the corrugated look of the fins. Good luck!

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Mike------


1964 and 1965 Corvette used the same GM #3849326 condenser. There were no other applications.

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Thanks Joe. Excellent info! There ya go Ray. More options for your hunt.

Tom - Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely straighten both condenser's fins and go with the one that looks the best. Think I'll use radiator black for the paint and apply it sparingly. More research needed here. Anybody?

Oh, and by the way.....my '66 is a 427 AC car that came with a small block condenser. For numerous years I thought it was a replacement until I was able to meet fellow NCRS early '66 427 owners that had these smaller condensers installed as well. The AIM shows a different part number for the big block AC cars but sometime during production they must've introduced the wider condenser. This wider condenser was used on all '67's. Both small and big block cars.

Mike

[James W.]

[Ray K.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Tom,
Any chance that you could post a few pictures of your restored condenser?
Ray

[Mike B.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Hi Ray,

I can just see a portion of your long condenser to dryer tube visible in the upper left corner of the photo you initially posted to this thread. Your condenser looks to be in unrestored condition. Nice! Would you post a shot of that tube for us all to see? It appears to be painted black. That would help answer James' question about original hose tube finish. I'd like to see a shot too.

James, Here's 3 shots of my '66's original condenser and dryer hose aluminum tubes. I bought them back from a prior owner who had removed them from the car in 1976 just before the next owner, "Bubbuh" got his claws on the car. You can see that they were painted black. They appear to be factory finish.

My car's original AC radiator support was missing when I bought the car in '88. I bought this 427 AC core support from Page Campbell at Carlisle a while back. It's a later version of the '66-'67 427 AC support that I just couldn't walk away from. Thanks Page! These 3 photos prove that I need the earlier 427 support with only one tube hole since the condenser tube routes over the support. My search continues. Love it! Mike

AC Condenser Tubes '66 #72XX Originals (1).jpgAC Condenser Tubes '66 #72XX Originals (2).jpgAC Condenser Tubes '66 #72XX Originals (3).jpg

[Don H.]

Re: '65 Vette: AC Condenser Recommendation(s)

Here is the replacement condenser (purchased from Classic Auto Air) I have had in my '65 since 2001 and has worked fine. (I currently have the system apart and it checked OK.) Don H.