During the course of front and rear A/C fabrication many items have to be changed depending on the year make and model. The following photos will show a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk being transformed from a hottie to an Ice Cold Bird.
1. A new late model A/C system installed. We will now disassemble the entire car to start the complete restoration. Lets take a look at what was done to fabricate all the parts for a custom A/C install.
2. The original radiator shield has been modified to clear the new electric fan blade. The shroud also had to be moved back a bit to compensate for a double stacked condenser and a larger aluminum radiator.

3. Custom dryer brackets for the condenser components are ready to be installed.

4A. Bolted up and looking good. The dryer is supported well and ready to attach to the radiator support.

4B. A double stacked condensor to handle both front and rear systems is installed and fitted along with the dryer assembly.

5. We fabricated custom brackets to mount the electric fan to the radiator support just inside of the radiator itself.

6. The Electric fan brackets look great while supporting the unit adequately. Custom built spacers allow for precise room of radiator to fan space.
7. On to the alternator bracket, we had to lower it to clear other components, so a custom bracket was designed and built to clear everything!

8A. A few of the pieces had to be welded in place after fabrication.

8B. In order to pick a proper set of drive belts such as serpentine or individual pulley belts we use adjustable link emergency belt systems to come up with exact sizes. This removes any guess work.

9. On the other side we had to fabricate custom brackets for the A/C compressor. The complete unit is ready to be tested then removed to start the restoration of the complete car.

10. Now we go on to the rear A/C system, we purchased a specific sized A/C box and then went to work. Bob fabricated a plenum to attach to the rectangular outlet on the box housing which has two round hose outlets. The round hose will then wind around the back side panels for optimum cooling.

11. As seen the box and custom plenum are about to be mated.

12. The rear A/C system is in place and the cooling air ducts are run on both sides for optimum cooling.

13. Custom built side qter a/c ducts have been fabricated and are ready to install.

14. The side ducts are located just above the rear tire inner wheelhouses and will pass cool air right across the rear seat passengers upper torso for max cooling.

15. The curtain or Luann panel hides the whole unit behind for a clean look with easy access for any servicing that may ever arise. We will upholster this panel to match trunk materials.

16. To finish the A/C ducts off in the front we built a panel to attach to the bottom of the fiberglass dash panel. It will house aluminum adjustable vents.
17. Installed under the dash it looks as if it was designed from the factory. Once it is painted the same color with the dash it will blend in nicely.

Other A/C COMPRESSOR BRACKETS

1. As seen we have drawn out a cardboard mockup and then cut out 1/4 steel to accept the compressor for a custom application. We have fabricated numerous brackets for many models.

2. We then fit the bracket to the engine and check a few clearance issues. Being sure all bolts run through the brackets into the engine block are threading easily.

3. We mounted the compressor and install mockup drive belts to find out alignment of pulleys and belt length.