Morris Minor Owners Club

While this is not your average topic on the MMOC I thought I would ask anyway.

I am currently building a modern engined minor (2.85 VR6 from a golf)
At the moment the Air con pump is still on the engine. My Missis is one of those people who get boiling as soon as there is a warm moment. How difficult would it be to fabricate an Air con system that could be disengaged (using the clutch on the compressor) when not in use.

Does anyone have any ideas? I think this mod alone may get her to come in the car with me when complete for comfort alone.

There was a chap on her a little while ago h20mako? who had air-con run by a standard engine.
Some ingenuity was used to mount the condenser rad, it was under the floor beneath the drivers seat with a fan to blow air through it as I recall.

what components are needed.
I presume a compressor, pipes, evaporator (like a heater matrix) and possibly a rad type affair in the grill.
Is it really as simple as chucking 12v into the compressor clutch and getting the coolant into the evaporator and then back to the compressor?

that sounds too easy!

MarkyB wrote:There was a chap on her a little while ago h20mako? who had air-con run by a standard engine.

Here's the thread: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... it=air+con

In a way - it is! Some export Minis had air con. But to be honest - the Minor comes ready fitted with 'air con' - you just swivel the front quarterlights outwards more than 90 degrees - working well for me in sweltering weather yesterday!

Thanks for that Lou.
Are there any other posts that explain the components and their requirements?

I bet most owners are wishing for air con today. Thank goodness for quarter lights!

Quarter lights only work when you are moving, they don't do much if you are stuck in traffic .
Air-con uses a fair sized chunk of power to run, something a standard Minor can't really spare.
http://autorepair.about.com/od/glossary ... rks_ac.htm
This seems to cover what is needed.

That's interesting Roy, any more info on the 'air con' minis?

If you are still looking then how about this http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/universal-ai ... 4763-p.asp Looks pretty neat and not too expensive

I think the air-con Minis were all for Jap land. Sorry - I know nothing of them!

I think you need to put a bit more info in your post. I can't work oout if you are planning to put aircon in a Minor, the VR6 in there, or both !

Do you have the rest of the car the engine came out of?
It would probably be simpler to use the components from that as sizes and connections will work together.
I understand there are several pressure and temperature sensors in car air-con also interlocks to stop it pumping if the gas pressure is too low.

MarkyB wrote:Quarter lights only work when you are moving, they don't do much if you are stuck in traffic .
Air-con uses a fair sized chunk of power to run, something a standard Minor can't really spare.
http://autorepair.about.com/od/glossary ... rks_ac.htm
This seems to cover what is needed.

I would imagine that will be less of a concern at 170hp and even less when I totally loose it and aim for 300!
(not a series btw)

Well the full story is that Im am in the process of building a VR6 Morris minor. My missis feels the heat really easily when the sun is blazing. I realise that cramming a huge engine in a minor is going to up the temperature considerably and dont want to ostracise my missis from going out in the car.
Now that Ive read the responces above I think ill have to use a few golf components and figure out the electronics seperatly as the golf loom contains miles of "stuff" I dont want and way too many ECU`s
That universal one looks very interesting as I already have the pump and would just need a rad and the hoses (which I can source locally)

I see a plan coming together!

A VR6 Minor! Transverse? If not then what gearbox? Tell me more. I've just had the dubious pleasure of fixing the cooling system on a VR6. Looks like a pretty big lump to get under the bonnet.

wheres the fun in a front wheel drive minor (dont tell Mr Issigonnis I said that ;) )
Im going to be using a Type 9 with custom bell housing. The accepted way of doing this would be a 968 trans axle and stuffing the engine in the back but I want a minor not a beetle ;)
there is a thread in the restoration section (or search IGOR)
At the moment Im getting some strength in the shell but im aiming to have the engine in for mock up by the end of next month.

Its probably worth mentioning that I am aware that the VR is probably heavier than Ideal but I chose it for several reasons:
I love the sound of a VR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20L6qpdae9o
I already have a standard 62 4 door
Im a bit of a VW fan at heart too

and most off all: WHY NOT / Im a nutter!

Hi polo2k

You might be interested in this air-con installation in a Minor.

http://www.morrisdownunder.com/forum/vi ... c&start=75

The under-dash unit can be purchased new. I think it heats too.

BTW the engine is a Mazda rotary 13B. Nice.

Don

Wouldn't that universal unit fit under the dash somehow with a bit of drilling through the bulkhead. The unit doesn't look too big (don't know how noisy it would be inside the car though). Might be cheaper to buy a Convertible and wear a hat!

Thanks for that Don, some good info in that post.
Does anyone have any more info on these universal air con units? it appears that they need a pressure feed, a pressure return and some electrics.
Is the one posted above the only one out there, or are there options?