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.
The drier is attached to the...
The drier is attached to the passenger side of the condenser using the supplied mounting brackets.
O-rings are used for all A/C...
O-rings are used for all A/C connections, and the supplied tube of refrigeration oil ensures an air-tight seal for these connections. This is a very important detail to prevent refrigerant leakage.
Preformed No. 6 hardline tubing...
Preformed No. 6 hardline tubing connects the condenser to the drier before the condenser is installed.
This shot shows the condenser...
This shot shows the condenser with the attached drier in place in front of the radiator.
The upper condenser No. 8...
The upper condenser No. 8 hardline which goes to the compressor is installed next, followed by the No. 6 hardline from the drier through the core support.
A supplied 3/8-inch x 2 1/4-inch...
A supplied 3/8-inch x 2 1/4-inch bolt secures the front bracket, with a 1/4-inch spacer between the bracket and the water-pump flange.
The upper passenger-side water-pump...
The upper passenger-side water-pump bolt must be removed so the front compressor mount bracket can be secured to the block.
Some engine heads have 3/8-inch...
Some engine heads have 3/8-inch bolt holes and some have 7/16-inch holes. The compressor mount kit provides both sizes of bolts for these holes. Our head had 7/16-inch bolt holes, so it was necessary to enlarge the compressor mount bracket holes to accommodate the larger bolts.
The compressor adjusting bracket...
The compressor adjusting bracket attaches to the compressor using three 3/8-inch bolts with Nylok nuts. The compressor is then attached to the mounting brackets with the supplied bolts and Nylok nuts.
The compressor adjusting bracket...
The compressor adjusting bracket attaches to the compressor using three 3/8-inch bolts with Nylok nuts. The compressor is then attached to the mounting brackets with the supplied bolts and Nylok nuts.
The instructions advise that...
The instructions advise that a 61-inch to 62-inch belt (not supplied with the kit) will work. We found that a 61-inch belt was ideal, and we adjusted the tension on the alternator belt after the compressor belt was mounted and tensioned.