Yet another furnace age question, Old Airco

[ejager]

Two posts about an 1975 Airco AH-130 furnace in Edmonton - first in Nov 2019 and now Feb 2020. The second sounds like an AI re-write of the first:

Quote

I've asked a couple places for a quote to replace the heat exchanger, and am told that parts aren't available.

Quote

I've approached a few spots for a statement to supplant the warmth exchanger, and am informed that parts aren't accessible.

 

 

"Ramona's" other post is another re-write, this time of a Bill Kibbel post in Plumbing....

On 3/7/2019 at 4:27 PM, Bill Kibbel said:

Approved flex couplings used underground meet a specific ASTM standard to withstand earth loads/shear.  The only one I'm familiar with is shielded (a stainless steel  band) and has molded-in bushings.

 

9 hours ago, Ramona R. Stults said:

Endorsed flex couplings utilized underground satisfy a particular ASTM guideline to withstand earth loads/shear. The just one I know about is protected (a tempered steel band) and has formed in bushings.

WHY??

[Jim Katen]

42 minutes ago, ejager said:

Two posts about an 1975 Airco AH-130 furnace in Edmonton - first in Nov 2019 and now Feb 2020. The second sounds like an AI re-write of the first:

"Ramona's" other post is another re-write, this time of a Bill Kibbel post in Plumbing....

WHY??

Yes, exactly. They read as if they've been fed back & forth through a translation program. "Ramona's" IP address is in Delhi. Perhaps someone in India is testing a new AI home inspector. 

[DHart]

I also have an old Airco oil furnace - Model 90-2HBOE; Series 19   NO. 14153E . I am also trying to find out how old it is. any help appreciated

 

[Flapacor]

This site is great - so much great information. I too would love to find out the age of the Airco furnace at my mom's place. The Model # is AH-75MD and the Serial # is DU2 - 1185. It seems to be functioning fine still but would really appreciate finding out the age.

Thanks

[Varinn]

38 minutes ago, Flapacor said:

This site is great - so much great information. I too would love to find out the age of the Airco furnace at my mom's place. The Model # is AH-75MD and the Serial # is DU2 - 1185. It seems to be functioning fine still but would really appreciate finding out the age.

Thanks

I find it really cool how this forum thread is still going, I just came across it looking to decide if it's worth investing in a new furnace to replace my old ACF-90MD (May 1988, 90k counterflow)

Yours would be November 1985, based on the serial number. I understand the AH-75 to be an Airco Highboy 75k BTU from what I read on here. I'm not sure what the MD stands for

[Doug1879]

I have an old Airco ACF-90MD on floor slab, made in Aug 1986 & still going strong, only used in cold weather due to having a heat pump, so no incentive to replace it. At 85 it may outlast me. To save money Heat Pump inverted V HEX was installed above furnace so 15 x 20 duct space up to return air header is partially filled by it. 2 (different) filters were a pain to source and install so I have put blanket filter material across return registers. I want to try to widen 15 x 20 duct and install a MERV 11 20 x 20 due to allergies.

Comments anyone?

[Jim Katen]

Any heating contractor can fix you up with a filter housing. I'd recommend a 20x20x4 box filter for the added area and lower static pressure. 

If you get into the habit of eating Kimchee every day, it'll help with your allergies and it might even help you to outlast the Airco. 

[Gerry Hayne]

I also have an older Airco Model ACF-130, and cannot get the standard filters, so instead buy a larger filter at Home Depot and cut it down, fiberglass easy to cut, and replace the cardboard end caps with a bit of tape to hold in place. The fiberglass is not terribly effective anyway. I am in process of replacing the blower motor, and new motor is 1/3 hp, versus 1/4 hp of original motor. My question is whether I should change the size of the motor pulley or not? The furnace has an information sheet on the front, saying the furnace pulley ratio is: 3.25 x 7 for 1/4 hp, and 3.25 x 5 for 1/3 hp. The fan pulley is 7". What does the "pulley ratio" calculation suggest(?), to those familiar with their terms?

[Marc]

I don't see any need to change the size of the pulley, provided that the RPMs of old and new motors are the same. The smaller pulley for the higher horsepower is likely to take advantage of the extra horsepower by increasing the blower speed.  I wouldn't go there.

Make sure the 'frame size' and shaft diameter are the same for the new motor.

[mporetti]

If anyone could help me out.  I have an Airco AH-75MD sn: DU2-266 with a dead limit switch. Furnace is in mint condition considering its age.  Very little to no rust on anything.

Would anyone have a manual/schematic  and/or the part number for the limit switch? 

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated

[Jim Katen]

15 hours ago, mporetti said:

If anyone could help me out.  I have an Airco AH-75MD sn: DU2-266 with a dead limit switch. Furnace is in mint condition considering its age.  Very little to no rust on anything.

Would anyone have a manual/schematic  and/or the part number for the limit switch? 

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated

You should be able to match it at any HVAC warehouse or even an industrial parts warehouse like Graingers. The switch should have markings on it. Do you have a good picture? 

[dfarr67]

Hi, have an Airco-150, does anybody have a squirrel cage bearing part number or size. Furnace is limping along in cold weather and I would have the part in hand before servicing.

Serial No. U4-187

Thanks

Edited January 6, 2022 by dfarr67

[Marc]

I can bring any blower motor to my AC wholesaler, without any part numbers, and in seconds he'll have a new blower motor on the counter.

Look for a wholesaler near you.

[Thorfinn]

I have an old Airco furnace in my commercial greenhouse Model AH-115 Serial No. U3-100.

Trying to figure out how many BTU's it put out so I can replace it with something more cost efficient. Any info at all would be hugely appreciated

[Garry]

Thanks to everyone's post.

Moved into a old house, built in 1984. I have NO clue to figure out how old is my Airco Furnace

Model No.  ACF-110

Serial  No.   D3-

Base   No.   MU-13A-3

 

Thanks a lot !

[Jim Katen]

Is there any reason to believe that it's *not* from 1984? 

[Garry]

23 hours ago, Garry said:

Thanks to everyone's post.

Moved into a old house, built in 1984. I have NO clue to figure out how old is my Airco Furnace

Model No.  ACF-110

Serial  No.   D3-

Base   No.   MU-13A-3

 

Thanks a lot !

 

1 hour ago, Jim Katen said:

Is there any reason to believe that it's *not* from 1984? 

Airco "ACF" or "AGCF", where "CF" stands for counterflow. That's according to Howardpike.

[Jim Katen]

Sorry, how does this apply to the age? 

[mmahdi]

Hello,

Just found this thread, what a treasure.

I have a pair of AirCo furnaces in my up/down duplex.

The downflow furnace's blower motor bearings seized.  The technician is having a hard time finding bearings and thinks it's hard to get it off the shaft, but, thinks it's doable.  I've read these furnaces are very reliable and all can be fixed other than the heat exchanger, which is very unlikely to go.

My questions are:

1) is it worth spending the money to conduct this repair and can I *reasonably* expect reliable operation afterwards? 

2) are other parts reasonably available should their be another breakdown?

I've attached photos for reference.

 

Thanks!