My C-3 Air Conditioning Conversion Project...PART ONE
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My C-3 Air Conditioning Conversion Project...PART ONE
A while ago, there was quite a discussion here regarding installation/or upgrading a/c into C-3 Vettes. A number of suppliers were mentioned including Hot Rod Air, Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air. I live in S. Florida and A/C here is a must, and occaisionaly a working heater on a C-3 is a good thing as well. Prior to our hurricane season, I decided to puruse this project and after interviewing the above suppliers I settled on Classic Auto Air to supply my unit. The project began August, 20 and I finished it Saturday 10/23. I had a lot of interruptions!!! Also, I elected to upgrade the car to a tilt/telescope steering column as well. So, this did add to the complexity of the project. It began when the box from Classic was delivered. It is quite complete.
[IMG]
This is the power unit. It contains the heater coil and A/C coil, seperate coils, with all the wiring hook ups and the coil temperture limit switch. [IMG]
[/IMG]
This next pic shows the old heater core from the engine side. Removing the old heater box is one of the first things you need to do. Not an easy job, and a little messy as well. [IMG]
[/IMG]
After the heater box was removed, I decided to remove the old and very nasty insulation from under the dash. I went as far as I could reach from the passenger side to the driver side. Then I replaced it with new aluminized insulation sheet from Hot Rod Air. This product sticks quite well with 3-m spray adhesive and I sealed the joints with aluminum tape from Home Depot.[IMG]
[/IMG]
Next was converting the old heater control to the new set-up. This involved replacing the old heater switch with a brand new one: replacing the left thumbwheel controler(formerly vac. operated)with a new cable-complete with adjuster. This controls the mode from full air through the dash outlets through cool/defrost, defrost heat to full defrost heat. The right thumbwheel controler )formerly vac. gets a new cable as well but longer to reach into the engine compartment to control a manual water control valve for the heater. This shot is the controler going back into the console.[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
This is the power unit. It contains the heater coil and A/C coil, seperate coils, with all the wiring hook ups and the coil temperture limit switch. [IMG]
[/IMG] This next pic shows the old heater core from the engine side. Removing the old heater box is one of the first things you need to do. Not an easy job, and a little messy as well. [IMG]
[/IMG] After the heater box was removed, I decided to remove the old and very nasty insulation from under the dash. I went as far as I could reach from the passenger side to the driver side. Then I replaced it with new aluminized insulation sheet from Hot Rod Air. This product sticks quite well with 3-m spray adhesive and I sealed the joints with aluminum tape from Home Depot.[IMG]
[/IMG] Next was converting the old heater control to the new set-up. This involved replacing the old heater switch with a brand new one: replacing the left thumbwheel controler(formerly vac. operated)with a new cable-complete with adjuster. This controls the mode from full air through the dash outlets through cool/defrost, defrost heat to full defrost heat. The right thumbwheel controler )formerly vac. gets a new cable as well but longer to reach into the engine compartment to control a manual water control valve for the heater. This shot is the controler going back into the console.[IMG]
[/IMG]
