Just rebuit A/C control assembly
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Just rebuit A/C control assembly
I took a couple of extra days off so I have a five day weekend. Yesterday I took apart my A/C control panel to clean it up. In the process I cleaned the white lettering off (AAARGGGGJHHH.%$#(*&%^$##@@!#$%$)of the lens. I cleaned and painted all of the black console pieces yesterday without screwing anything else up. I made a quick trip to Eckler's for a new lens and a new shifter boot this am. So Now I have a nice new looking console. I also cleaned all of the fiber optic lens's so they are nice and bright. It was a PIA but worth the results. There is an article in corvette magazine on line on doing the job with Zip's rebuild kit. Mine just needed a good cleaning until I wiped the lettering off. so I didn't need a kit but the article was very helpful. :D :D
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
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From: No longer a member
Re: Just rebuit A/C control assembly (silvervetteman)
Geeze Larry that sounds like fun, NOT! I hate the console and all the little things that break on it, next time I take it apart I'm going to make a pattern for the local aluminum shop and have them make a nice sturdy one for me. That AC switch is a pain too, and the price for new ones is sick. At least all you needed was the lense, I bet it looks great knowing your painting skills.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Just rebuit A/C control assembly (C3 Shark Tank)
Hi Scott... IT looks OK but there was a minor amout of pitting on some of the pot metal parts. The biggest thing was the funky dirty stained lens from 30+ years of stuff spilled. I found a lot of change in there!! I was just planning a a little clean up but things got out of hand fast. Oh well. I needed a new boot to boot (He he) . The thumb wheels work so smooooth now and the whole console just looks better.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
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From: No longer a member
Re: Just rebuit A/C control assembly (silvervetteman)
Larry,
I know better, you do good work. At least they used metal parts on yours, the 81 console is such a POS. Flimsy fiberboard covered with carpet for side panels that break if you look at them funny, and the underside of the top piece is just as bad, almost all of my screws are held in using bubba methods. My window switches are held up with small blocks of wood :rolleyes: I'm going to get on this project in another 2 weeks, then maybe I can get the new shifter in and possibly new carpet. The local aluminum shop does nice work and for a good price too, still not sure if I want to keep it shiny or powdercoat it all black. Just another project to help me on my long road to the poorhouse :jester
I know better, you do good work. At least they used metal parts on yours, the 81 console is such a POS. Flimsy fiberboard covered with carpet for side panels that break if you look at them funny, and the underside of the top piece is just as bad, almost all of my screws are held in using bubba methods. My window switches are held up with small blocks of wood :rolleyes: I'm going to get on this project in another 2 weeks, then maybe I can get the new shifter in and possibly new carpet. The local aluminum shop does nice work and for a good price too, still not sure if I want to keep it shiny or powdercoat it all black. Just another project to help me on my long road to the poorhouse :jester
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Just rebuit A/C control assembly (Juliet)
Juliet... The Zip Kit gives you new thumb wheels and face plate but mine were really in good shape except for being grungy. You can polish the plastic if you want to. It was a simple o'haul with the tips from Zip. It's putting the whole thing back together that's a real PIA. Take lots of breaks...
