1981 F150 Blue. Named Walter, for now anyway

[rcarlisle]

Just looked at those two sites - dang what a lot of choices!  I'm going to put that on the "someday" list for now.   Going to take truck to have AC checked today and that may eat up my summer budget for all my hobbies!   But it will be nice to have some cool air in the cab this summer.  

[Gary Lewis]

I'm thinking COLD air will be nice, and I'm having mine done on Saturday.  

[rcarlisle]

Ok COLD would be even betterer.   Even if my panel vents don't work.  Small enough cab that I will take defrost or floor air so long as it cools.   THe cab is small enough shouldn't take much.  

I'm hesitant to go pulling on old plastics to try to figure out the vent door, which has probably failed.   And I'm not ready to remove whole dash.  Those are the methods I've seen on here so far.  I seem to be a bit heavy handed so don't want to bust up stuff I can't replace easily.  

My thought is that the air is blowing thru the floor vents when in the AC position, so it should work if everything is good under the hood.  

Also thinking of adding the suggested manual shutoff in heater hoses under hood for winter/summer.  

Everything is in place on mine - just not sure of condition or operability of those parts.  

[Gary Lewis]

Good luck on getting the A/C working.  But I'm not sure you want cold air blowing on the windshield as I've seen it cause condensation there.  Hopefully you can get it at least directed to the floor vents.

[rcarlisle]

Well, my dude was out of shop yesterday so I'll have to try again.  Wife needed me to move a porch/patio swing last evening, so I couldn't leave the truck.   It was just a frustrating day on that.  

When I slide the vent control to the AC or MAX AC position, it blows out of the floor vents so that's fine by me for this year.   But I know the defroster position is supposed to kick the compressor as well.   My thought is I can get the cab cooled one way or ther other.  

[FuzzFace2]

rcarlisle wrote

Well, my dude was out of shop yesterday so I'll have to try again.  Wife needed me to move a porch/patio swing last evening, so I couldn't leave the truck.   It was just a frustrating day on that.  

When I slide the vent control to the AC or MAX AC position, it blows out of the floor vents so that's fine by me for this year.   But I know the defroster position is supposed to kick the compressor as well.   My thought is I can get the cab cooled one way or ther other.

I dont think it kicks the compressor on in defrost at least on mine I dont think it dose.
Dave ----

[rcarlisle]

Every vehicle I've ever had kicks AC compressor in defrost.  I read that the defrost is supposed to engage the compressor as well.  On the HVAC page here.  AC, MIX, and DEFROST postions engage the compressor.

So it is supposed to, doesn't necessarily mean it does.  I've never liked the compressor on during defrost on most vehicles I've had.

[rcarlisle]

JUne 3 2021 update:   cowl seal installed.  LMC - $42 ish to my door.

I have an appt tomorrow with a different garage to check AC.   When I went to talk to him, he had a bullnose in the lot for another customer.  He said he's been helping that guy for years, so that's a good thing - he has some familiarity with bullnoses.   He also seemed honest about how much it would cost and not giving me astronomical costs.  

Hopefully we can get it fixed.  He even explained differences in ordering from RockAuto and using local Advance store.   Said you get a little more of what you need and a lifetime warranty on compressor if I need one from Advance for about the same price.  I do like buying stuff like that locally if/when possible, so if it doesn't fit or fails, I can more easily replace.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

😳

I hope your climate system under control Randy.
Summer is not three weeks away.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, A/C is wonderful!  Hope he can fix yours easily.

[rcarlisle]

Garage called.   He was having issues with the blower motor not working.  I forgot to tell him to make sure the key turns back to the run posotion after starting.   He figured that out.   Ran a vacuum test, held vacuum.   Put in the R134a parts, whatever they are, charged it up and put UV dye in incase it leaks so he can find it.   Says it's blowing cold from the floor, which is fine til I can get to the heater box.   $113.   I'm pretty happy with that.   I'm going to try to slide outta here early and go get it.  Excited.  And a little weird.  

I've never had an old big truck with air.   Seems not right somehow, to NOT have to roll the windows down and open the wind wings.  When did they change the law requiring you to ride with the windows down and  your arm on the windowsill?  

[Gary Lewis]

Congrat's!!!!  That's cheap!  It cost me $300 but I have a new compressor, receiver/drier, and orifice.

As for riding with the windows up and the vents closed, it sure makes the trip less tiring.  

[rcarlisle]

Thanks.   It hasn't gotten too hot yet here.   On the hottest days, I take my little car.   We didn't really buy the truck for a daily driver.  Wife thinks it's just for working.  Moving stuff, junk, etc.   She's coming around - she sees how much effort I've put into making it nicer and she has helped some. She's still not in favor of paintwork.   But we'll get there.   Or I'll just get it done.  Shhhh.  

Commuting on the days I do isn't bad so far.  I do want to go to a cruise in or two this summer and the air blowing while we cruise thru with the windows down will be great, right???  And the tunes on the factory AM/FM will be better with the windows up.   lol

I was worried I'd have to have more, but got lucky so far.   May have to get the thingy for the carb linkage though?  Dashpot?  Is that the right word/part?

[FuzzFace2]

FuzzFace2 wrote

rcarlisle wrote

Well, my dude was out of shop yesterday so I'll have to try again.  Wife needed me to move a porch/patio swing last evening, so I couldn't leave the truck.   It was just a frustrating day on that.  

When I slide the vent control to the AC or MAX AC position, it blows out of the floor vents so that's fine by me for this year.   But I know the defroster position is supposed to kick the compressor as well.   My thought is I can get the cab cooled one way or ther other.

I dont think it kicks the compressor on in defrost at least on mine I dont think it dose.
Dave ----

Ok had the truck out the other day(s) and I checked and you were right the compressor dose come on on Defrost.

$115 to get the AC working, heck I think just the 134a for my truck was almost that price!
I have been using the truck to / from work, even in the rain last 2 days, because of the AC.
It blows so cold and has a small area to cool off compaired to my Durango that blows cool, not cold, and is a large oven to cool off.
Dave ----

[rcarlisle]

UPDATE: 6-4-2021:  Well, it's home.   Air works.  However, I think I need to remove and maybe clean the control panel - not functioning as smoothly as it should.  I have seen a comment by Gary on FTE (maybe?) that these can be disassembled and cleaned.  That might help.   Garage dude said he didn't do anything to the controller except check to see that AC wire was connected to controller.  

So it's a WIN in general.   I think he had like $60 in labor, can't remember, but I think receipt has $30 for R134a, then some parts and fluids for system.   I feel like he charged more than fairly.   I'll be letting him help more probably.   In his lot is a 67 Fairlane, a couple bricknoses, (there was a bull when I stopped the first time), a 47 Chevy under a tarp, couple old CJ jeeps.   Some new stuff.   He's pretty old school.   Smokes in his office.  America, dang it!  Wife rides a street glide harley.  These are my kinda people.  

[rcarlisle]

More 6/4/2021:. Two days of temps in the 80s convinced me of the need to tint the back glass.  So, $20 and a half hour later...

[Gary Lewis]

I think I'm starting to understand why so many of us have red necks.  Man, that sun coming through the back glass sure is hot.  So I like the idea of tinting it.  Well done!  

[grumpin]

I do appreciate a Super Cab for that reason!

I remember getting cooked in my 1968 half ton Chevy, the last regular cab I owned.

[rcarlisle]

6/5/2021:. Wet sanded top, hood, driver's side.  Mixed up some Vice Grip Garage "shine juice". Boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits.  Wiped it down.  I'm pretty satisfied with this for now.

You can see how much difference in this pic...


What I've done so far.  Tomorrow tailgate and passenger side.


Oh and I added 3.14 hp right here.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I guess your new Avatar or profile pic is photoshopped?    

Anyway, your truck is looking great, Randy!  

Keep on top of that linseed. It will go black over time if left to the elements.