Advice in Frigiking Restoration

[johnk]

I'm considering the purchase of the below Frigiking Unit, but given that I don't have one in my car I don't know anything about them.  How difficult is it to get replacement knobs and the silver plate on the front? Is the warping of the plastic surround normal? How would I go about refinishing the vents if that is possible? Are they plastic?

Any help is appreciated. I would like to go with the original look, but not if it looks shabby compared to the rest of my car which is getting a full restoration.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks gents
John K

[johnk]

more pics

[rjmarco]

I got reproduction silver plates from Buds Benz.  I like the look. I believe they also have reproduction knobs.

[450sl]

Just make sure you change the expansionvalve inside the frigiking. (you do need one suited for the modern gas.)
And a new temperature switch could not hurt also....


As for the Chrome louvres ; i have several spares but all with bad chrome , so i am also looking for a rechrome...havent found one yet.

mark

[teahead]

I'm sure there are lots of chrome shops that can re-chrome plastic.

When I take mine out (to do the awful non-ac heater blower motor change), I plan on blocking the far right vent, so that most of the air can go to the furthest left two vents.

I think you can test the switches; not sure if you want to buy brand new ones.  Wouldn't they be somewhat easy to change out w/o removing the whole thing?

I'd change the ac blower motor perhaps since you're there.  Good advice on changing the expansion valve.

https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning/Z830-005B

Maybe take the evaporator to a shop to test for leaks?

Also, toss that old compressor and do the Sanden conversion.

[450sl]

About temperatureswitch:
The feeler tip of the old one could be cracked, or almost cracked and the switch itself is 50 years old as well.
Modern switches have a more  controlled range as well.
so a new tempswitch which costs little money is a no brainer for me

[teahead]

I got reproduction silver plates from Buds Benz.  I like the look. I believe they also have reproduction knobs.

yup:

https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning/Z830-004

https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning/Z830-080

Switches ARE cheap (relatively) so might as well buy new.  Ditto w/the motor.

https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning/Z830-086

https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning/Z830-087

https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning/Z830-085

[johnk]

Thanks gents seems that theist difficult issue I would have is to find someone to rechromw the plastics vents and possibly the warping of the black plastics surround. I don’t want to have 2,500 all in with an AC unit that works great but looks terrible in an all new interior.

Also does the black plastics surround look more warped than normal?

[teahead]

Thanks gents seems that theist difficult issue I would have is to find someone to rechromw the plastics vents and possibly the warping of the black plastics surround. I don’t want to have 2,500 all in with an AC unit that works great but looks terrible in an all new interior.

Also does the black plastics surround look more warped than normal?

Can't really tell from pictures.

Just dashes in Van Nuys maybe can fix the warping bottom part by vacuum forming a cover over it?