New or Aftermarket AC on W110

[Dreadnought]

Hello friends, I’m going to buy a 1968 W110 230 soon that didn’t come with factory AC. I’m one of those guys who “runs hot” so AC is a must for me at some point. Since I’m new to the vintage Mercedes family I was wondering if there is a resource for factory looking Mercedes AC systems like the Vintage Air systems available on the market or muscle cars, etc. Another complication is the engine is apparently from a 1970 so there may be issues sourcing parts to match both the body and the engine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Idle]

There is no factory looking A/C currently for sale. Units do show up for sale in the 'for sale' section now and then and also on Ebay.

I used to install these aftermarket systems years ago. So you will need the total package if you have nothing.

You will need the under dash unit. And the mounting bracket. There are two kinds: One that goes over the top of the unit inside and attaches to each ends with bolts. There are tabs under the dash that this full length bracket slip into. The other type are two small brackets at each end and they just bolt to the car under the dash. The long bracket makes less noise.

The Mount Kit. This is the metal bracket that bolts to the engine along with a few spacers and bolts. There is usually a long bracket that bolts from the side of the compressor to the motor mount on the left side, too. And a smaller one that bolts on the bottom of the compressor and onto the side of the engine towards the front of the intake manifold.

You will need a dryer. To find an original look one is tough but these can be reused. I do it all the time.

A York style compressor. Sometimes these work, sometimes they don't but they can all be rebuilt.

The hoses. Have new ones made with barrier hose. But you will need the old ones for an accurate pattern. Hydraulic repair shops make these hoses all the time.

The condenser in front of the radiator. There are also some condenser mounts but these tended to be fabricated on the spot. They are nice if you can get them but not hard to make if you don't.

The extended pulley wheel to bolt on to the crankshaft. The factory just had one pulley for the water pump and generator. The power steering added another pulley. And the A/C got a pulley of it's own.

There is also a pulley on the mount kit to take up the slack in the A.C drive belt. Finding one of these in working condition is rate but you need to make sure it is there so you will have the pulley mounting bracket.

Entire systems on Ebay, and the ones I have seen are not totally complete, are running around $2,400 plus shipping which is usually not that much. The only heavy thing is the compressor.

Total installation time the first one I did was four hours. The time eventually came down to about one hour.

You will also need a hole saw to cut two holes in the firewall close to the windshield wiper motor for the hoses to pass through the firewall and into the car.

[Idle]

But before that the engine you have in your car must be identified. The brackets from a six cylinder 110 or 111 might not fit the current engine. So post a photo or find the engine number on the engine and post it. Before you can start we have to know the engine model.

You may need a hybrid type system with some parts from a 110 or 111 and the mount kit from something else.

But this can be done. And while it will not be cheap it will not be difficult.

It will be time consuming.

[Tony H]

I have a pair of Kuhlmeister underdash units that would be correct(I think) for your car reasonably priced.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/400701-2-frigiking-kuhlmeister-ac-underdash-units-fs.html
I found the parts mentioned.

[BWhitmore]

A great under dash system sold by Vintage Air is their Mark IV under dash unit. This is a 1960’s -1970’s style unit that contains the evaporator, fan, and all controls. You would need a compressor, compressor brackets, condenser, receiver/drier and AC hoses to complete the installation. I have installed a number of these units in classic cars and found them to provide plenty of cool and are very reliable.

[Idle]

Originally Posted by Tony H

I have a pair of Kuhlmeister underdash units that would be correct(I think) for your car reasonably priced.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/400701-2-frigiking-kuhlmeister-ac-underdash-units-fs.html
I found the parts mentioned.

These are the correct unit for the 110 and 111. The 112 takes a BEHR unit.

These Kuhlmeisters were made in Dallas by Thermoking in their factory on Commerce Street.

There are two versions, and early and a late. The later version is almost a one year only set-up for the 1967 108 and 109. This was a bit of a stop gap thing since in 1968 a unit from BEHR was used for the rest of the run.

They look nothing alike. The Kuhlmiester is a true under dash unit. The later style looks just like what you would see in any 108.

The Mark IV units are good, too, but they are a bit bulky. You would need to look at the two units, the Mark IV and the Kuhlmeisters, to see which would work the best for you. Both will get cold.

The Kuhlmeister has the fan located off to the side, sort of under the wiper motor. The Mark IV might have the blower mounted behind it. You would just have to look at it.

The Kuhlmeister fan is off to the side to avoid hitting the heater unit. The later 108 models for 1967 had the same sort of fan set-up. After 1967 the fan was moved to the passenger footwell, next to the fender.

[Tony H]

I have had those units for probably 20 years. I was going to use one in my 111 coupe but managed to find a correct one.

[Mike D]

Although not "period correct" I would opt for a Sanden or other brand of rotary compressor instead of the York. The York's are good compressors but they are bulky and power hogs.

[Idle]

I would agree with this. I can't swear to this but I think someone makes a kit that adapts the original mount kit to a Sanden compressor. Unless an owner is looking for the 100% correct look this would be the way to go.

And the Yorks used R-12 which is still around but expensive. The Sanden would allow the use of newer and more available gases in the system.

This is why I suggested the original hoses be used for patterns for new 'barrier' hoses. The old hoses would likely work but the R-134 or whatever is the latest thing would leak out through the sides of the original hose. This would take a long time but it would happen.

And I have had more than one older hose blow out, which is frustrating and requites replacement anyway. So it is best to do it right the first time.

[Tony H]

Here you go:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-YORK-OR-TECUMSEH-DIRECT-FIT-TO-SANDEN-UPGRADE-PACKAGE/152581909271?fits=Model%3A280SE%7CSubmodel%3A3.5%7CMake%3AMercedes-Benz&hash=item2386972b17:g:AM4AAOSwLsBZOovC
A little pricey but I'm sure there are others

Originally Posted by Idle

I would agree with this. I can't swear to this but I think someone makes a kit that adapts the original mount kit to a Sanden compressor. Unless an owner is looking for the 100% correct look this would be the way to go.

And the Yorks used R-12 which is still around but expensive. The Sanden would allow the use of newer and more available gases in the system.

This is why I suggested the original hoses be used for patterns for new 'barrier' hoses. The old hoses would likely work but the R-134 or whatever is the latest thing would leak out through the sides of the original hose. This would take a long time but it would happen.

And I have had more than one older hose blow out, which is frustrating and requites replacement anyway. So it is best to do it right the first time.