AC install
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
AC install
I finally decided to order a Vintage Air system for my 76. It was an AC car before but all of the original system had been removed some years ago. I should have the unit in a couple of weeks and I'll try to keep you posted on the install.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Will do.
I drove to Vintage Air (150 miles) to pick up the unit. I didn't want UPS to trash it in shipment. (I ship a lot of stuff and I know what can happen in transit)
After opening the boxes I felt that they were packed properly and would have survived a lot of shipping abuse, but what the heck, my wife and I had a nice drive.
I drove to Vintage Air (150 miles) to pick up the unit. I didn't want UPS to trash it in shipment. (I ship a lot of stuff and I know what can happen in transit)
After opening the boxes I felt that they were packed properly and would have survived a lot of shipping abuse, but what the heck, my wife and I had a nice drive.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
I have started the install and have an issue with some hard lines from the condenser right now. I will try to post a complete description when I'm finished or close to it.
Right now this is what my dash looks like:
Of course now I have more things to do beside the AC, Firewall Insulation is one!
Right now this is what my dash looks like:
Of course now I have more things to do beside the AC, Firewall Insulation is one!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
Please, keep the info coming on this install and how well you like the end result. I plan to use the same unit in a pro street 71. Must have air no matter what may be under the hood.
Thanks,
FEVER96
Thanks,
FEVER96
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
This is one of the things I plan to install as my car is starting to come together. As I recall the kits are ~1200 right? Is this the "direct fit" kit?
Good luck and take lots of pics
Good luck and take lots of pics
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Business must be good for Vintage Air, I am installing a Vintage Air system too. The worst part so far was the evaporator/blower housing. Took an hour on one of the bolts way up in the fender well.
Getting the condensor/blower/heater coil out looked hard. I started to pull my right header out to give clearence for the housing, but instead I broke out the sawzall and chopped the housing up. Twenty minutes later the whole condensor box was out.
I will be interested in your updates...
Getting the condensor/blower/heater coil out looked hard. I started to pull my right header out to give clearence for the housing, but instead I broke out the sawzall and chopped the housing up. Twenty minutes later the whole condensor box was out.
I will be interested in your updates...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Business must be good for Vintage Air, I am installing a Vintage Air system too. The worst part so far was the evaporator/blower housing. Took an hour on one of the bolts way up in the fender well.
Getting the condensor/blower/heater coil out looked hard. I started to pull my right header out to give clearence for the housing, but instead I broke out the sawzall and chopped the housing up. Twenty minutes later the whole condensor box was out.
I will be interested in your updates...
Getting the condensor/blower/heater coil out looked hard. I started to pull my right header out to give clearence for the housing, but instead I broke out the sawzall and chopped the housing up. Twenty minutes later the whole condensor box was out.
I will be interested in your updates...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Update;
I am planning on posting the completre install after I'm done.
Right now I have returned the evaporator unit to Vintage Air at their request since the hardlines coming out of it don't line up correctly.
Also it seems they based their unit on an early 76 model year vette and mine is a late model so there seems to be some problem areas.
Vintage Air is being very co operative and helpful, they want to make everthing right and so far I'm pleased with how they are responding, I hope we can get things ironed out so I can finish this install. It's not difficult, just that when I removed the dash I found other things to fix, like a whole new dash!
I am planning on posting the completre install after I'm done.
Right now I have returned the evaporator unit to Vintage Air at their request since the hardlines coming out of it don't line up correctly.
Also it seems they based their unit on an early 76 model year vette and mine is a late model so there seems to be some problem areas.
Vintage Air is being very co operative and helpful, they want to make everthing right and so far I'm pleased with how they are responding, I hope we can get things ironed out so I can finish this install. It's not difficult, just that when I removed the dash I found other things to fix, like a whole new dash!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
