Aftermarket AC install
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Connecticut, USA
Aftermarket AC install
I started the Classic Auto Air a/c retrofit and took some pictures. I'll run this post and update it as I go along so others may see what's involved. This system is for cars w/wo factory air. It maintains the stock controller and replaces the vacuum system to the controller. I have a factory a/c car that had the system open when I bought the car in 10/78. The wiring harness has some toasted connectors and I don't like the factory a/c box or the hassle of a heat core change in the factory a/c boxes. This system mounts under the dash and leaves the firewall clear for very nice non-stock appearance. Cost wise this was about an even swap for replacing the stock parts.
Gary
Here's the car at this point. Drive train is all rebuilt waiting to fire for the first time-after the ac install.
Here's how it shipped, not bad no seen damage.
Gary
Here's the car at this point. Drive train is all rebuilt waiting to fire for the first time-after the ac install.
Here's how it shipped, not bad no seen damage.
Last edited by gtr1999; Oct 3, 2005 at 12:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
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From: Connecticut, USA
The heater is in the new a/c box.
Here's the duct for the box.
Here's the eng bay with the stock box gone-notice the big hole in the firewall.
Here's the inside view
The stock control is retained and the electrical switches and vacuum swithc removed. Add in new cables to operate the hvac.
Here's the duct for the box.
Here's the eng bay with the stock box gone-notice the big hole in the firewall.
Here's the inside view
The stock control is retained and the electrical switches and vacuum swithc removed. Add in new cables to operate the hvac.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,132
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pssst....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...756&forum_id=3
It's good that we're both doing this together - Maybe we can help each other out!
I'll take more pictures when I get home - I'm already finished with mounting the cables / switches onto the control thumbwheel and right now I'm up to putting the sticky stuff on the suction tube in the instructions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...756&forum_id=3
It's good that we're both doing this together - Maybe we can help each other out!
I'll take more pictures when I get home - I'm already finished with mounting the cables / switches onto the control thumbwheel and right now I'm up to putting the sticky stuff on the suction tube in the instructions.
Last edited by majic1984; Oct 3, 2005 at 04:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
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From: Connecticut, USA
Don, Yes all the A/C equipment, heater core mounts in the empty space behind the pass dash pad. The stock boxes are different between the a/c and non a/c cars but the install appears to be the same. If a heater core or evaporator change is needed it willbe much easier then the factory style. Plus the compressor is smaller and lighter. Other then it being non stock it a much better deal- I think.
Majic- did you get the dash plug in your kit? that was missing from mine na dI found out they have been out of stock on them for months?
Did you also get the 2 wire harness's 1 short and 1 long?
Gary
Majic- did you get the dash plug in your kit? that was missing from mine na dI found out they have been out of stock on them for months?
Did you also get the 2 wire harness's 1 short and 1 long?
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by gtr1999
Majic- did you get the dash plug in your kit? that was missing from mine na dI found out they have been out of stock on them for months?
Did you also get the 2 wire harness's 1 short and 1 long?
Gary
Did you also get the 2 wire harness's 1 short and 1 long?
Gary
Edit:
One thing I already dislike about the kit is the black **** on the thumbwheel controls - should be chrome imo.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
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From: Connecticut, USA
The black **** don't bother me. The 2 harness's are for splicing together according to Fritz @ CAA. Once you push that brown switch connector on it is not easy to remove. If you start with the short one on the switch you can install the box and they splice the wires so it's easier then finding you're short.
The plug was missing from my kit. I called and they said they shipped the kits less the plugs. It's just a plastic cup plug I should be able to source locally.
I also upgraded the radio and speakers while everything is out.
Gary
The plug was missing from my kit. I called and they said they shipped the kits less the plugs. It's just a plastic cup plug I should be able to source locally.
I also upgraded the radio and speakers while everything is out.
Gary
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
Originally Posted by majic1984
pssst....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...756&forum_id=3
It's good that we're both doing this together - Maybe we can help each other out!
I'll take more pictures when I get home - I'm already finished with mounting the cables / switches onto the control thumbwheel and right now I'm up to putting the sticky stuff on the suction tube in the instructions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...756&forum_id=3
It's good that we're both doing this together - Maybe we can help each other out!
I'll take more pictures when I get home - I'm already finished with mounting the cables / switches onto the control thumbwheel and right now I'm up to putting the sticky stuff on the suction tube in the instructions.
well with reflectix.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tigers123
I see you have put in insulation under carpet. Are you going to do firewall as well? I'm somewhere just before you on this as I have not bought the ac yet. But I'm putting in an all new dash panels guages radio and all. As hot as it was in august I'm going to hit the firewall as
well with reflectix.
well with reflectix.
You can take a look at my carpet / reflectix install here:
http://members.***.net/gdeb/resto.htm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
bumpity bump bump for pics!
oookay.. so I took the last picture to ask you a question Gary.... what the hell is this defrost host adaptor assembly and how do I insert the adaptor into the inlet of the defrost diffuser?! (As per the directions on the bottom of page 13)
Edit: and yes, my thumbwheel controls have green lettering - they just show up as white on the camera.
oookay.. so I took the last picture to ask you a question Gary.... what the hell is this defrost host adaptor assembly and how do I insert the adaptor into the inlet of the defrost diffuser?! (As per the directions on the bottom of page 13)
Edit: and yes, my thumbwheel controls have green lettering - they just show up as white on the camera.
Last edited by majic1984; Oct 3, 2005 at 09:49 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
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From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Thanks to this thread I think I've gone from simply replacing a bad $87 heater core to seriously considering adding an $1095 A/C system.
This forum is really bad for my bank account! LOL
~Jay
This forum is really bad for my bank account! LOL
~Jay
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
I had today off but as usuall I spend more tiem on other work or running to a supplier to get much done! I did get plugs at the hardware store. They are not the plastic cup plugs but rather an 1.5" electrical knock plug but they'll work and painted black like the fiore wall will be fine.
I ended using the short pig tail off the switch. I cut in a new insulated splice for the hot wire to the red/white feed on the switch harness. The 3 speed wires and blue clutch wire will be spliced to the longer harness on the box. I spent some tiem repairing the console and fitting it with the all the parts. The PW relay is inline with the left cable so I had to move it down. If you don't have PW no problem.
I hope to get back to it on Saturday. After I fit the box I'll fit the radio and gauges. Sorry I didn't get to look at the duct yet. Is your car a factory a/c car or non a/c?
I ended using the short pig tail off the switch. I cut in a new insulated splice for the hot wire to the red/white feed on the switch harness. The 3 speed wires and blue clutch wire will be spliced to the longer harness on the box. I spent some tiem repairing the console and fitting it with the all the parts. The PW relay is inline with the left cable so I had to move it down. If you don't have PW no problem.
I hope to get back to it on Saturday. After I fit the box I'll fit the radio and gauges. Sorry I didn't get to look at the duct yet. Is your car a factory a/c car or non a/c?