76 needs AC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 7
76 needs AC
Hey guys, I want to get air conditioning back in my 76, there's nothing left in it, it's all been gutted and tossed out, even the blower. I see there are many upgrade kits, some use original parts, what's a good upgrade option for a guy that needs to start from scratch?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 1,749
From: Seattle Area Washington
Here is one of the complete upgrade kits available
Vintage Air Link:https://www.vintageair.com/surefit/c...model=Corvette
When the link opens you can find more details on item number 964174 74-76 with factory air.
Vintage Air Link:https://www.vintageair.com/surefit/c...model=Corvette
When the link opens you can find more details on item number 964174 74-76 with factory air.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 426
Likes: 72
From: B-town Idaho
I just took out my entire system of my ‘75. Like just last night took it out. I also have a brand new heater core for it. I am not putting it back in, it’s the entire thing, controls to boot. I had to cut the ac core pipes. Other than that, if you wanted the original unit let me know if you’re interested and make an offer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 7
Mines not been functional since I bought it 10 years ago either. It's kind of a bittersweet purchase, I'd like to sell the car, but selling it with no AC I think will be extremely difficult. Worst case I put it in and I can't sell it then at least now I have AC and just maybe the wife would want to ride with me lol.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 7
The vintage air kit looks pretty clever, everything mounts inside the cab and free's up engine space, has the heater core in its as well, nice. Would I want to get the electric condenser fan as well? Right now I'm running a fan mounted on the water pump.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 1,749
From: Seattle Area Washington
If your car originally had A/C there is a good chance you would have also had HD cooling.
Some, not all HD cooling had a larger capacity radiator and all had a HD clutch fan.
So if your car has things missing like a large capacity radiator or a good replacement radiator, the correct fan and fan clutch, fan shroud I would go with the electric fan kit.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
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Where are you getting yours from? if you order online from vintage air they technically don't sell online but pass the order along to someone else I guess...but every website I go to looking for vintage air they stop at like the 73 or 74 model year for some reason...68-77 should be all the same right? and they want to know if you've got a big block or small block, it really shouldn't matter the kit should be the same except maybe the pulleys?
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68 -77 definitely would not be the same. 77 is way different from 76 in the dash, controls and vents area. Big block cars will need different brackets for the compressor and the compressor hoses come out in a different way. Hoses and lines are different as well.
All C3 Corvettes are not the same. wiring changes in these cars also happened. 73 - E77 Had a VIR system. 77L and up have a more modern system. 68 - 72's came with yet still a different system. Which of course means things behind the dash are different as well.
All C3 Corvettes are not the same. wiring changes in these cars also happened. 73 - E77 Had a VIR system. 77L and up have a more modern system. 68 - 72's came with yet still a different system. Which of course means things behind the dash are different as well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 7
68 -77 definitely would not be the same. 77 is way different from 76 in the dash, controls and vents area. Big block cars will need different brackets for the compressor and the compressor hoses come out in a different way. Hoses and lines are different as well.
All C3 Corvettes are not the same. wiring changes in these cars also happened. 73 - E77 Had a VIR system. 77L and up have a more modern system. 68 - 72's came with yet still a different system. Which of course means things behind the dash are different as well.
All C3 Corvettes are not the same. wiring changes in these cars also happened. 73 - E77 Had a VIR system. 77L and up have a more modern system. 68 - 72's came with yet still a different system. Which of course means things behind the dash are different as well.