HI, I want to make one mod to my '51 Special De Luxe: air conditioning.
Has anyone done this? My main hurdle is getting a double crank pulley to drive the compressor.
I've owned this car since 1974, and it is Special!

I don't thing the double crank pulley will be a big problem to anyone who has done much fabricating. You can just take the original, decide what you need for offset to the comperssor belt and take another pulley, remove the center and weld it into the original crank pullley. Cooooool!!!

been there done that. my 51 special (daily driver) has a/c. first thing i did was to convert to 12 volts (alternator). then under the dash where nobody can see, i mounted the a/c box. in the engine we made a braket to support the alternator and a/c compresor with independent adjusters and 1 belt. i will try and take a pic today when i get home and post it.

Sure would like to see your photos.
I am thinking of simply adding a 12-volt system just for the AC. I found the manufacturer of the old York, 2-cylinder compressors: they are still used in heavy-duty applications, although I am sure the new, rotary-style would work OK, too. Whichever is easiest to develop a mounting bracket for is the one I plan to use. Vintage Air has some fancy units as well as all kinds of parts, etc.
I could make a fan shroud and use a larger blade with temperature-controlled clutch from the salvage yard also, if necessary.

Who is the manufacturer? I'm trying to find a part for another application.

Thanks,
Mark

Manfacturer is now known as Climate Control Inc.
http://www.ccicompressor.com/index.aspx

They bought this operation from York.