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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 11:40 PM
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I bought an HVAC vacuum hose kit from Dr. Rebuild (which I am very satisfied with) and I started installing it today. After confirming I have air where I should except for the floor vents, I think I found the issue. The spring connected to one of the actuators is broken and was just hanging there. Where can I find just this spring? The actuator seems to work fine.

The other thing. There was duct tape covering the 1/2" gap between the defroster duct and the center piece pictured. Should there be an intermediate piece there or was duct tape installed from the factory? I'm trying to do this right, and avoid taking my dash apart any more. It's a job I don't enjoy!
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Old Jul 17, 2017 | 09:44 AM
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It has been noted here before.
The connection between the defroster duct and the ac/heater unit leaves a lot to be desired. Most people wrap ac tape or duct tape around it to seal the gap.

Good luck with the spring search. I know that you can buy the vacuum canister from numerous Corvette suppliers if needed.
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Old Jul 17, 2017 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Street Rat
It has been noted here before.
The connection between the defroster duct and the ac/heater unit leaves a lot to be desired. Most people wrap ac tape or duct tape around it to seal the gap.

Good luck with the spring search. I know that you can buy the vacuum canister from numerous Corvette suppliers if needed.
Yup. I used foil tape. Duct tape fell off.
Spring is gm #14001506.
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Old Jul 18, 2017 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by garrettb

The other thing. There was duct tape covering the 1/2" gap between the defroster duct and the center piece pictured. Should there be an intermediate piece there or was duct tape installed from the factory?
I have been informed that gap is factory intentional. It was designed that way to prevent noise transmission from the blower to the dash pad.
If you look in the AIM, there is no such taped connection.
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Old Jul 18, 2017 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
I have been informed that gap is factory intentional. It was designed that way to prevent noise transmission from the blower to the dash pad.
If you look in the AIM, there is no such taped connection.
That makes sense. Thanks so much for posting. I was about to tape it up and make the same mistake someone in the past had done!
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Old Jul 19, 2017 | 08:45 AM
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The gap on my '68 was much smaller. It was about One quarter to 1/2 inch. I chose to seal it shut with heavy duty duct tape. I would rather have the air moving in the right place. I looked through my photographs and cannot find a good image of what I'm trying to describe.
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Old Jul 19, 2017 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by NRAROX
The gap on my '68 was much smaller. It was about One quarter to 1/2 inch. I chose to seal it shut with heavy duty duct tape. I would rather have the air moving in the right place. I looked through my photographs and cannot find a good image of what I'm trying to describe.
I used foil tape. Although I understand the logic, I don't see it. The blower is on the other side of the firewall.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
I used foil tape. Although I understand the logic, I don't see it. The blower is on the other side of the firewall.
Good call on the aluminum tape. It worked really well on mine as well. I was worried about duct tape coming loose, and I can't see this ever coming off. I only did the front and sides because I couldn't get to the back, and because it already had an angled "flange" to help keep the air flowing the right direction.

Before I totally finished installing everything, I sucked on each of the new hoses to test for functionality of the actuators. Everything worked great except for the oval shaped door in the passenger side kick panel.

I took the actuator off, thinking that was the culprit, but the door is actually what's frozen in place. Actuator tested fine. I tried to move it by hand, but I couldn't do it. Is it common for these to freeze up? How can I get it to move again?
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 03:47 PM
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Farm supply stores usually have a large assortment of springs. You may get lucky.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by SwampeastMike
Farm supply stores usually have a large assortment of springs. You may get lucky.
A fellow forum member set me up with a new spring, so I'm good to go there. It's just a matter of freeing up this plenum door now and I'll have (hopefully) working vents!
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