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

ac vs non ac firewall 71

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2019 | 11:56 AM
  #1  
aaronz28's Avatar
aaronz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 36
From: Allen Park Mi
Default ac vs non ac firewall 71

So - my 71 was non AC from the factory, and I'm planning to install a complete factory system also out of a 71 -
i took pics of my buddies 70 AC car when we took the ac box off to replace the heater core - and I compared my 71 non/ac firewall - and there only appeares to be slight difference toward the center of the car - where the non ac car has round cut outs for the heatercore and the ac car's opening appears only to be wider by the difference of the cutouts - (maybe 2" tops)

is there anything else i'm missing? i'd like to get the firewall cut as needed before going to far along the body resto path -
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2019 | 12:25 PM
  #2  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

There is a firewall page in the AIM showing how much of the firewall had to be cut for the factory air.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2019 | 03:09 PM
  #3  
aaronz28's Avatar
aaronz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 36
From: Allen Park Mi
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
There is a firewall page in the AIM showing how much of the firewall had to be cut for the factory air.
Do you know which page? i bought the Assembly manual but can't find what you describe anywhere

thanks
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2019 | 04:58 PM
  #4  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

The AIM has all the optional equipment at the back of it, AC should be back there (maybe), on my 72 it's near the first of the optional stuff, after electric windows and defrost etc
M

Last edited by Mooser; Feb 28, 2019 at 05:02 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 09:28 AM
  #5  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

You really need to study the C60 (A/C option) section of the AIM to see ALL the differences between an air car and a non-air car. It would be a daunting task to convert one to the stock A/C configuration. Just finding all the parts would be a major chore.If I had a non-air car, my choices would be to install one of the aftermarket A/C systems or sell my car and replace it with an A/C car. No way would I go to all the grief of converting to stock A/lC configuration.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 02:19 PM
  #6  
Tampa Jerry's Avatar
Tampa Jerry
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Default

I added a factory AC system to my 68 years before any aftermarket system was available. Best thing to do would be to make a template of the AC car and transfer it to the firewall of the non AC car. I also went with a later blower motor and upgraded the dryer. It cools very well here in Florida. Almost as well as the Vintage Air system I put in my 66 coupe. Get the picture . Jerry
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 07:31 PM
  #7  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

And I bet you did this at some time in the distant past when you could get all the needed parts from the local 'junk' yard. No-can-do today...
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 09:33 PM
  #8  
caskiguy's Avatar
caskiguy
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,263
Likes: 951
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Default

Originally Posted by aaronz28
So - my 71 was non AC from the factory, and I'm planning to install a complete factory system also out of a 71 -
i took pics of my buddies 70 AC car when we took the ac box off to replace the heater core - and I compared my 71 non/ac firewall - and there only appeares to be slight difference toward the center of the car - where the non ac car has round cut outs for the heatercore and the ac car's opening appears only to be wider by the difference of the cutouts - (maybe 2" tops)

is there anything else i'm missing? i'd like to get the firewall cut as needed before going to far along the body resto path -
Not saying what you to do can't be done but why beat your head against the wall ? You'd be miles ahead with a VintageAir system. Worth some thought.
https://www.vintageair.com/surefit/c...model=Corvette
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To ac vs non ac firewall 71

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:10 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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