ACtion Magazine - March 2013 - (Page 28)

Delphi restores 1954 Pontiac Star Chief with ﬁrst ‘front mounted A/C system’ I This new front-mounted air conditioning system was developed and built with Harrison Radiator components, now Delphi Automotive, including the heater core and the heater/defrost valve. The modern air conditioning system first featured in the 1954 model of the Pontiac Star Chief was manufactured in Lockport, NY, and was an instant success for Delphi in the emerging field of automotive air conditioning. The Delphi team in Lockport decided to restore a1954 Pontiac Star Chief model to showcase their rich heritage in developing leading technology in automotive air conditioning. The vehicle was originally located and purchased in the year 2000 from an Arizona wrecking yard. The intention was to have it restored as an original example of the first modern type front-mounted Harrison A/C system. The restoration was started at a shop in Arizona, where the project eventually slowed. In 2010, Dave Roberts, Delphi staff engineer, began working on the vehicle again and in October 2010 towed it back to Michigan. 28 The vehicle included the A/C system that was originally fitted from the plant. Today there are only about 10 original A/C systems left worldwide. The only missing part was the condenser and the team located an original unit from a Pontiac-Oakland club member/Tech Advisor. The ‘54 Pontiac was in rough condition and in need of a total restoration. Most of the parts were stored in boxes. The sheet metal was very solid though, from being in the dry desert for many years. Every single part needed to be restored. There were no non-OEM parts on this vehicle, but there is an interesting list of special components fitted to the air conditioned vehicles only, including: • Evaporator air filter (most modern cars now have a cabin air filter) which filters the air before it enters the cabin. • Heavier front springs for the additional weight of the A/C system components. • Different harmonic balancer to accommodate the additional belt that drives the A/C compressor. • Heavy duty fuel and vacuum pump. • Unique larger capacity, heavy duty radiator for efficient cooling with a 13-pound pressure system. • Redesigned right inner fender skirt for adjusting n 1954, Pontiac introduced an under-the-hood, “front mounted A/C system,” the first of its kind for automobiles. Prior to that, vehicles had units mounted in the trunk and other configurations. ACTION • March 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - March 2013

ACtion Magazine - March 2013
Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Freeze Frame
Under the Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
Virtual View
News & Updates
Managing the Heat
Delphi Restores 1954 Pontiac Star Chief With First ‘Front Mounted A/C System’
Replacement Actuator Motor Cautions From HeaterTreater
Association News
In Memorium
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - March 2013