These are the interior components...
These are the interior components of Vintage Air's air-conditioning system for midyear Corvettes. New side console ducts are provided, along with new defroster ducts, while the underdash ducts look and operate like factory originals. All components are clearly labeled, and the instructions are clear and well illustrated. The only items not supplied with the kit are replacement heater hoses, the compressor belt, and the R134a refrigerant.
This month, we continue the installation of the Vintage Air aftermarket air conditioning kit in our '67 Sting Ray coupe. Last month, we removed the glovebox, the heater cover, and the stock heater core. We also removed the hood so we could install the condenser and drier-that's where we pick up the project in this installment.
| DIFFICULTY INDEX ::: III |
| ANYONE'S PROJECT | no tools required | I |
| BEGINNER | basic tools | II |
| EXPERIENCED | special tools | III |
| ACCOMPLISHED | special tools and outside help | IIII |
| PROFESSIONALS ONLY | send this work out | IIIII |
Don't miss Part 3 next month as we finish our installation and charge the system with refrigerant!
It's necessary to replace...
It's necessary to replace the original 3/4-inch hose fitting (left) on the big block with a 3/4-to-5/8-inch fitting, since both intake and outlet hoses are 5/8 inch on the Vintage Air unit.
A vacuum-operated heater valve...
A vacuum-operated heater valve is inserted in the heater hose and controls the flow of hot water into the core. The small-diameter hose that controls the valve connects to the intake manifold vacuum line via a "T" fitting inserted into the distributor vacuum line.
Three bare-steel brackets...
Three bare-steel brackets are supplied for mounting the compressor. To forestall rust, we gave them a coat of black POR-15 rust-preventative paint before mounting them.
Lower and upper condenser...
Lower and upper condenser brackets are attached to the condenser using the supplied bolts.
The fresh-air cover is installed...
The fresh-air cover is installed on the passenger-side firewall under the fender to cover the hole formerly occupied by the OEM squirrel-cage fan.
The two lower OEM bolts from...
The two lower OEM bolts from the bottom of the radiator support rods are loosened enough so that the two condenser brackets can slide down on them; the two OEM bolts from the front side of the radiator support are used to secure the upper condenser bracket.