Increasing radiator exposure for cooling the Ark

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: ClydesdaleKevin  (Original Message)
Sent: 5/17/2005 9:17 PM

While removing the nose today, I decided to do something about the way the radiator was barely exposed to the air!  Pictures are posted in the album.  The upper third of the radiator was INSIDE the battery/access compartment, and the lower two thirds was COMPLETELY covered by the huge AC condensor!  Its amazing that the Ark ran as cool as it did!

I'm rebuilding it tomorrow, with removable and/or hinged panels, and an extra grill and "doghouse" for the upper radiator.  I removed the not-working-anyway AC condensor, and am going to totally refurb the nose for access to the batteries, engine, etc.  The hardest part is going to be finding new sheet aluminum, but I'll settle for just plain smooth aluminum if I have to (the whole lower part of the nose was rotted to dust!).

I'll be working on this tomorrow, and intend to finish the whole nose...I'm running out of time to meet my June 1st deadline!

Kev and Patti Smith

The Ark, 1972 Futura



From: poppinjohnnies
Sent: 5/17/2005 11:13 PM

I saw your pictures.  It looked like it had some major wind blockage going on.  As far as the a/c condensor goes, I personally would leave it where it was.  It needs steady airflow while the a/c is on or it will cause the high side of the a/c pump to overheat.  That could ruin the compressor and other vital organs.   If you do relocate the condensor, you could mount an electric fan to it.  The fan could be switched to run only when the a/c is on.



From: ClydesdaleKevin
Sent: 5/18/2005 1:34 AM

My old AC is set up for R12.  When I removed the hoses to remove the condensor, there wasn't even a hiss...no pressure whatsoever. 

I'm going to keep the parts to restore it someday, but for now it coming off.  Good idea about the fan though.  If I relocate it in the restoration, a fan connected to the AC "on" circuit would be just the ticket!

Thanks for checking out the pictures!

Kev and Patti Smith



From: denison
Sent: 5/19/2005 10:46 AM

The lower front of our Winnies are probably all as rotted as your Futura. De-Nile is not just a river in Egypt. By all means, give the radiator as much access as you can - to make it easier to remove it for cleaning from time to time.
The a.c. condenser (turns the high pressure freon vapor to a liquid by removing the heat from it) would not block the airflow, assuming it wasnt plugged with dead bugs. The added heat from the a.c. condenser is what makes the engine compartment warmer, not the air flow being slowed down.
Remember, anything below/behind the battery is going to get acidic deterioration. Thats why I am glad my batteries are near the the back, down low, sitting on a piece of easily renewable oil plywood, itself sitting on an angle iron framework. Its even easy to dump baking soda onto that plywood base now and then - to neutralize the acid.
You are an inspiration to us all.



From: denison
Sent: 5/19/2005 10:52 AM

If you want to reinstall your a.c. system later, try to plug off all of the components, or they will rust inside. Plug them as thoroughly as you can. I suspect you would be buying a new condenser in any event, due to the corrosion on the exterior of the old one. Generic a.c. condensers are fairly reasonable in price, especially if you buy them in the fall or winter.



From: ClydesdaleKevin
Sent: 5/19/2005 8:39 PM

Thanks Denison for all the help and words of encouragement and advice!  I got pretty far along today on the project and posted some more pictures of the nose framing, the new air duct, etc.  I'm not a carpenter, but the finished product should look pretty good and function the way I want it too. 

Kev and Patti Smith



From: SeaRaySRV16O
Sent: 5/20/2005 1:41 AM

Hi Kev...

Were you actually having an overheating problem? Reason I ask is most all the dash A/C systems I have seen have the condenser in front of the radiator. Now if it's not being used, it will not be making the air warmer due to refrigerant giving off heat. So, if your engine is running cool enough with it there, and someday you may want to restore the A/C system, why not let the condenser right in place? That way the fittings will not need to be plugged as Denison suggested, and any stones or road trash will have to go through the condenser before hitting a radiator core that will cost some bucks to replace should it get damaged. Just a thought. Good luck.

Regards,

Robert Donley
Jenison, MI



From: ClydesdaleKevin
Sent: 5/20/2005 8:31 AM

Hey Robert,

I was considering leaving it in place just for the reason of protecting the radiator, and you are correct:  Since the system was empty of freon, the condensor obviously wasn't giving off any heat, and is no doubt the reason the Ark was still running nice and cool.

I already took it off, however, and cut and plugged the hoses, so it's too late now...lol.  I think it will all be well, as the lower grill will protect the radiator fairly well from anything bigger than a pea.  If I notice any denting to the fins as we travel along, I'll invest in a screen of some kind to fit over the cooling fins.

Thanks for the input!

Kev and Patti Smith.