Carb'd and FI A/C Compatability?

[Twistiva]

Guys -

From reading various threads I know that factory A/C systems are not 100% compatible with Ford-installed after-market systems, but is there any difference between a factory (or after-market) A/C systems on carb'd engines and A/C systems on FI engines?

Specifically, will a complete '93 (FI) A/C system work on my carb'd 88? (My 88 currently has no A/C at all.) A/C plumbing should all be the same from 88-93, right? Thinking that answer is "yes" but want to confirm that.

[getnpsi]

the more i read about the a/c, the more i see how its just a bolt on independant system. Makes me want to try adding a/c to a totally different vehicle too. You have to be consistent with which ever system you already own or have access to. i would get a hold of the guy selling all his ac stuff. He can look at it and tell the path of pieces you need. I don't see why not, if you wanted to add the efi to a carb car or definately the carb ac to a efi would work. In both how tos ive read there really isnt drilling or fabbing to do, a lot of removing to get at things, that sort of thing. you add the relays and the harness which are found pretty readily at yards on junk festivas, people swiped the pumps and lines and not the electrical. I think the other way around, id want the electrical spoon fed me and if i needed a custom bracket something large that's easier to get produced on my end.

[Twistiva]

Bump.

Any accurate info would be appreciated, especially from some of the super senior bubbas around here.

Thx!

[1chrisapple]

I took a/c system off a 92 gl and put on my 89 carb car. there are few differences and like said its all really standalone system. and I have come to learn that some of the parts will interchange and as far as bolting up to a festy any will work only real connection is behind the cluster there is a 4 or 5 wire pigtail to the a/c harness and that's it.

[bravekozak]

I tried to install a brand new Sanden compressor on a B6 engine. The location of the hose fittings interfered with the power steering lines. I replaced the compressor with a used factory Nippondenso compressor. I still have the Sanden compressor for sale with both pullies. I changed the brand new multiribbed pulley with a brand new V-belt pulley. Problems with A/C systems center around routing condensor hoses past the front bumper, mounting the dealer relay bracket, etc. The interior harness, evaporator, condensor and compressor installation are all very straight forward.
If you don't have power steering, you should be able to make either system work on any year Festiva. The EFI auto trans and carb manual trans A/C systems are wired differently. I will post some A/C wiring schematics tomorrow.

[htchbck]

If you have a complete system with wiring and everything from either EFI or carb, putting it on either an EFI or carb car is pretty straightforward. As stated before it is basically an independent system. If you have time and patience and want to get creative it can even be pieced together from other B series cars. The only part that really "has" to be from a festiva is the evap core/airbox under the dash. I've used compressors, condensers, brackets, tensioners, hoses and wiring from Escorts, 323s, proteges, Aspires and festivas to cobble together entire systems, or replace damaged components.

[1chrisapple]

yea I didn't think it was so complicated we needed to bust out wiring diagrams lol

[Twistiva]

If you have a complete system with wiring and everything from either EFI or carb, putting it on either an EFI or carb car is pretty straightforward......

All right! THAT'S what I was hoping to hear!

yea I didn't think it was so complicated we needed to bust out wiring diagrams lol

Ha! Ha! I'll take pictures anytime I can get 'em. 2 biggest projects I want to do to my Festiva is install a 5-spd transmission and A/C. Thanks, guys!

[1chrisapple]

I can get u a 5spd complete swap for $120 plus shipping if u r interested. and a/c is really easy I did the fi swap to a carb car only thing was there was 1 wire I didn't need that had power to it so I just left it out

[Twistiva]

I can get u a 5spd complete swap for $120 plus shipping if u r interested. and a/c is really easy I did the fi swap to a carb car only thing was there was 1 wire I didn't need that had power to it so I just left it out

Hmmmm......so how many miles on the 5-spd transmission?

[bravekozak]

The 89 shop manual shows two different wiring diagrams for a carbed Festiva and an EFI Festiva. I will post an EFI scan later.