C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Engine out - upgrade A/C

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 1, 2012 | 08:02 PM
  #1  
myc3's Avatar
myc3
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Default Engine out - upgrade A/C

My engine is now out and I will be installing my new 406 and the new front suspension very soon.

What I want to know is what should I check in the engine bay that is related to heating and A/C before the engine is reinstalled. I will have a new compressor but intend to use all the rest of the stock heating an A/C components.

What should I replace / renew in the engine bay while the engine is out?

Thanks
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2012 | 08:18 PM
  #2  
ezobens's Avatar
ezobens
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Default

What year C3 do you have?
Are you going to run R-12 or converting to R-134a?
While the motor is out, I would make sure your heater core, blower motor and evaporator are sound and clean, seal up any old seals that may let heat in and replace all the hoses just on principal.
Elm
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2012 | 11:29 PM
  #3  
myc3's Avatar
myc3
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Default

Originally Posted by ezobens
I would make sure your heater core, blower motor and evaporator are sound and clean, seal up any old seals that may let heat in and replace all the hoses just on principal.
Elm
Great advice. It is a 77 with A/C and I plan to convert to 134a. Any info on how to test these parts would be appreciated. Any other advice on things to replace in the engine bay?

Thanks
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 12:26 AM
  #4  
ezobens's Avatar
ezobens
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Default

Originally Posted by myc3
Great advice. It is a 77 with A/C and I plan to convert to 134a. Any info on how to test these parts would be appreciated. Any other advice on things to replace in the engine bay?

Thanks
Depending on how much work you want to make for yourself (and I'm sure others out here have perhaps easier methods) I personally would remove the evaporator and heater core and have them flushed and tested at a local radiator shop. I'd prefer to do the work now and make sure it's 100% instead of guessing and having a problem when everything is back together.
Elm
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 05:55 AM
  #5  
Rotonda's Avatar
Rotonda
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Default

Early 77's were equipped with a VIR (valve in receiver) system as were earlier vettes. Later 77's were equipped with a more modern style orifice system. If you have a later system and are converting to 134a, most people advise converting to a smaller orifice tube for improved performance. A search will get you the details. If you have the VIR system and are converting to 134a, a change to an aftermarket VIR eliminator kit is usual. I understand that the expansion valve in the receiver (the large can that looks like an accumulator) are not especially compatible with either 134a ot the lubricant required by 134a.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 08:06 AM
  #6  
Indiancreek's Avatar
Indiancreek
Drifting
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Default

I have a classic air unit in a 75. Leaves you with a bunch of extra room in the engine bay. Works better and it was all new to switch to 134.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 08:36 AM
  #7  
sweeet76's Avatar
sweeet76
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
Default

To switch to 134A, you raelly should also change your condenser to a aprallel condenser. It does make a big difference.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 08:38 AM
  #8  
sweeet76's Avatar
sweeet76
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
Default

Wow, let me try again. To switch to 134A, you really should change your condenser to a parallel condenser. It will make a big difference.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 11:30 AM
  #9  
myc3's Avatar
myc3
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Default

Originally Posted by Indiancreek
I have a classic air unit in a 75. Leaves you with a bunch of extra room in the engine bay. Works better and it was all new to switch to 134.
I was thinking about a Vintage Air system but I was told that there were issues with the ducting behind the dash and that they did not work with the original control unit. I believe that the control unit and the ducting changed in 1977.

How does Classic Air handle these issues? Is there a modern system that does not require extensive fabrication?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 03:01 PM
  #10  
Indiancreek's Avatar
Indiancreek
Drifting
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Default

It really opens up the engine bay but there is some work to get it right. Not big work just messing with it. The original controls function. The air box cover plate had a couple bolt holes off just a little bit.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 03:10 PM
  #11  
myc3's Avatar
myc3
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Default

Originally Posted by Indiancreek
It really opens up the engine bay but there is some work to get it right. Not big work just messing with it. The original controls function. The air box cover plate had a couple bolt holes off just a little bit.
Any pictures? Do they have installation instructions for a 77?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2012 | 05:39 PM
  #12  
Indiancreek's Avatar
Indiancreek
Drifting
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Default

I have some of the air box install.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2012 | 01:12 AM
  #13  
myc3's Avatar
myc3
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Default

Originally Posted by Indiancreek
I have some of the air box install.
Is the install for a 77?

I have not seen any installation instructions that show how to connect to the 77 controller and I believe that there are differences in the ducting.

All the vendors I have seen only go up to the 76. Any help with a 77 install would be appreciated.

Thanks
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2012 | 09:13 AM
  #14  
sweeet76's Avatar
sweeet76
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
Default

I believe you would need to get the controllers from Vintage Air. Otherwise, installation should be the same. If I am wrong, someone please correct me.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Engine out - upgrade A/C





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:09 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE