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So Friday I received the new condenser. Right off the bat I noticed UPS obviously used it as a soccer ball during their lunch break. Opened it up and yep, lower right attaching flange bent, condenser warped, etc.

Left email for contact at CAA and he called me this morning. Another one on the way with expedited shipping.

Dayum, like you said, "the hits keep on coming"....literally!

That cool, fresh air is gonna feel so good once you get it done though. Which you will....

Air conditioning is right up there with polio vaccine as great accomplishments of the 20th century!

The latest and long story short, have it all together and currently pulling vacuum on the system.

Doing more of an in depth post at mercurycougar.net to help anyone who decides to go forward with this system. Will post the link when I'm done.

- JG300-fr8ycat

The latest and long story short, have it all together and currently pulling vacuum on the system.

Doing more of an in depth post at mercurycougar.net to help anyone who decides to go forward with this system. Will post the link when I'm done.

I had a look at that thread and somebody else brought up my first thought: How did you come to choose CAA versus Vintage Air? Not that I have any experience with either, but I watch many of the Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auctions and note that Vintage Air seems to be by far the most popular choice for restorations (not that you see many Cougars change hands in auction). In fact, I don't think I've ever noted a reference to CAA in the summaries of the cars crossing the block. Of course, there may be huge cost differences (I haven't compared). Just wondered....

Didn't see any thread but hopefully things are coming along...? Of course, you got me worried, being that no news of success has been shared.

Was just in LA a couple of weeks ago, we had to pick up my stepson's Jeep Wrangler from the overseas shipping facility near LAX and drive it to his family's new pad in Las Vegas. Had a box of Randy's Donuts in the backseat, if I'd had more notice he and I could have stopped by to beat the parts into submission with ya!

Good luck bud!

Ascout, Price was a factor and my boss had also used them to put AC in his 51 Ford Pickup. He had some issues with their customer service but the boss straightened it out by sending him some Chrome valve covers for his problems. I have read that the owner of Classic Auto Air used to work for Vintage and when you look around, you realize they are selling the same parts essentially. I've also seen plenty of gripes online with Vintage Air.

After the experience (or at least towards the end) I realized I'm doing an "Under the hood upgrade", these are not stock replacements which means you're gonna run into problems. At least I can say the CAA tech who I have been dealing with always was quick to help resolve any issue I had.

So the latest update since my last post is I pulled vacuum for a good 2 hours to make sure that sucker was sterile, filled it up with R134a and now have AC! Been driving it to work all week (been 100 degrees or more w/40% humidity) to test it out with different variables.

Over a hundred degrees sitting in traffic/stopped the temp gauge rises quick but never went over 3/4 and cooling suffered so I turned it off. Of course it being a car pushing 50 years old in need of window/door seals I couldn't fault it. Driving home today on the open highway, 100 degrees, 35% humidity the temp gauge never hit 1/2 and the vent temps were 46 degrees, I was loving it! The HP loss is minimal and still has plenty of get up and go when called for. So all in all it was money well spent. Think body and paint might be next.

Stoopy, would have been nice to see you and have you check out the ride, I'm sure it would have brought back memories of a certain Mustang. Next time you're in town let me know and I'll bring the Cougar.

- JG300-fr8ycat

.....At least I can say the CAA tech who I have been dealing with always was quick to help resolve any issue I had.

That bit is every bit as important as parts quality themselves...especially when you need it! Glad that has worked out for ya'.

So, Richard.....

We're lookin' at our watches (taps foot impatiently)...and thinkin' the annual status report on you and your fine ride might be just a tad overdue!

If ya check in and get a chance howsabout an update, eh? Hope you're doin' well.

-Stoop

well...Haven't done much but drive it. Replaced a leaking vacuum actuator for the blending door in the A/C box and reinstalled the distributor which was a tooth off and giving me grief with pinging.

I did get a quote from a local paint shop on body and paint which was a little less than I was expecting, around $3500 (if I strip it down myself). So looks like that's the next project plus I'm getting a rebuild kit for the AC/Heater box which I figured I can take care of while it's getting painted. Have around $1000 worth of parts sitting in a saved cart on the WCCC site, mostly new chrome exterior parts and door/window gaskets.
Once that's all done I have new front and rear seat upholstery sitting in a box. When I do that I'll also install new carpet.

And before I can start any of this I need to do the Spring cleaning in the garage to give me some room Will keep you posted and include some pics once the tear down begins.

Cool! Glad to hear she's on the road and running well. Maybe we can start a GoFundMe for that respray of Grecian Gold.

I did also put on a 1" sway bar a couple months back and man was that a good investment. Improves handling significantly, especially in the corners.

I'll bet! Cougars just have that "look" like they should corner well... maybe some Dan Gurney influence?

Pretty much any build I read about in Car Craft has lots more attention on suspension and cornering these days than before. For good reason! One thing I don't miss about my old 'Stang vs. the '05 is the handling.

Time for Cougar update!

1) Went Holley, Street avenger, 570 CFM, so far happy with it.
2) Summit Racing Magnetic Distributor which just appears to be an MSD with adjustable Vacuum advance. Have had to dial back the vacuum advance due to pinging issues but just about there.
3) stripped off what was left of the viynyl top.
4) ordered and received gasket kit for the ac/heater box under the dash. once that's done will get her painted and install new weather striping for windows and doors.

Hope all is good with the rest of you guys.