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Ive got a 68 roadster, no AC, 4 speed, no PS/PB, 427 car.
Im confused about the astro vent, particulary, the rear deck vents. Upon inspection, the passenger side looks as if it is open all the time. I can see the deck grill from the back of the passenger comartment, and yep, when I wash the car, water gets inside
The drivers side seems to be closed all the time
1. On AC cars, Are the rear astro vent doors actuated by vacum?
2. On non ac cars like mine, are they manually operated in conjuction with the front vent controls on the console? If not, what actuates the rear vent doors?
I think the early intent was the rear doors would open and close on AC cars, but I don't think that idea actually made it to production. My '68 does not have AC, so my rears are the same as yours. They do not physically open or close. There is a filter material mounted in them which is supposed to facilitate the exhaust of cabin air. I cannot see into the rear storage area by looking through the deck vents. There are boxes and baffles bonded to the underside of the rear deck which keep water out. Sounds like you might be missing the right side box and baffle. I replaced the filter material in my doors with a look-alike stuff I found at a home supply place. It's household window air conditioner filter material. If memory serves, I've seen similar stuff offered through the aftermarket providers.
:)
I was under the impression that the rear vent doors were opened by vacuum actuators on non a/c cars. My car has a/c and the vents are permenantly sealed off. No actuators or anything. I have read topics on this board in the past about this and if your vent doors are not moving, you have a vacuum problem...either the actuators, vacuum lines, or vacuum control valve.
I'm sorry if I am getting off topic but this question is troubling me. What exactly do the astro vents do? I believe '75 was the last year for these if I am not mistaken. Were they an option or did they come as standard equipment? Thanks :)
ASTRO VENT DID THIS: WITH THE HEAT OFF, AND VENTS OPEN, THE REAR DECK VENTS WERE OPEN TO ALLOW FOR FREE FLOW OF OUTSIDE AIR FROM THE FRONT VENTS, THRU THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND OUT THE REAR DECK VENTS.
WHEN YOU TURNED THE HEAT ON, THE TEMP DIAL ACTUATED SOMETHING THAT WOULD CLOSE THE DOORS.
THATS ABOUT THE BASICS.
BY THE WAY, DID YOU GET THAT BB IN?: IVE BEEN WATCHING EVER SINCE YOU WON THE BID ON EBAY. LAST I HEARD WAS THAT YOU WERE MISSING SOME RELATED BRACKETS
Melvin, you should have a flap of rubber or some other soft material which should prevent water or anything else from getting into the inside of the car. These flaps are designed so that the air which enters the cabin through the chrome ball vents in the dash can escape out the rear compartment area. Think of it like a flow through ventilation. I believe that Dr. rebuild sells the kit to repair the rear vent "exhaust " assembly.
Melvin:
Thanks for the information. Nope, no big block yet :(. I'm missing one bracket, and that's the power steering bracket. My goal is to have the engine built, dropped in and running by spring time....only time will tell :cheers: .
I have always wished that the A/C cars came with this option. Does anyone know if the doors are available, or if it's even possible to add to a car that didn't have it? Interestingly, all the cars (69, at least) had the script on the side glass, even if it wasn't installed! I guess they figured A/C counted for the same thing. :D
On my 73 I have one window that says ASTRO VENT and one that doesn't. I assume one of the windows was replaced. anyway, there are two rubber hoses that drain any water that comes in thru the vents out into the wheel wells. I don't know if there is any moving doors in the box.