Re: [Chrysler300] question for 57 300C a/c experts

[Philippe Courant <accf-club@xxxx>]

The "power piston" (it's the name that Chrysler used...) is a part of 
the '57-58 factory A/C unit. It's an actuator which opens and closes the 
"recirculating door" under the dash. This door (which admit cold or 
heated air from the plenum area) is linked via a rod to the fresh air 
cowl door just under the cowl vent. When one is open the other is close.
The power piston is an engine oil system controled via a solenoid valve. 
When solenoid is "on" (A/C position) the engine oil is routed to the 
power piston which actuates the doors. When you shut off the engine the 
power piston release, the cowl door closes so no water can reach the 
interior of the car: "safe position" as said Chrysler ! But you need to 
have good oil hose : if not the engine oil leaks on the carpet or on 
your feet...
This odd system was replaced on '59 models with vacuum operated system.

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Philippe COURANT (Pau, France)- Webmaster des sites ACCF et C-I-F
Imperial 1957 Crown convertible
Buick 1996 Roadmaster wagon

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