REBORN55
Very Senior Member
Posts: 2086
Loc: DeSoto, Illinois. 62924
Reg: 01-21-01
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07-28-12 09:44 AM - Post#2252967
Getting ready to bite the bullet and install Vintage Air in my 55 and was wondering what the pros and cons are between center and 4 duct plenum. Also any install tips I can use
Thanks
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retiredrich
Contributor
Posts: 792
Loc: NE
Reg: 10-05-07
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07-28-12 10:08 AM - Post#2252973
In response to REBORN55
I put a VA Gen IV in a 56 and a 61. The hardest and worst part on both installs was getting the evaporator up behind the dash. Extremely tight fit. The rest of the install was not bad.
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 cnbell
"10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 8657
Loc: So Cal
Reg: 04-14-04
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07-28-12 10:42 AM - Post#2252983
In response to retiredrich
I'm with Rich, the hardest part is the evaporator install, one of those did they really design it this way installs.
The four duct plenum lets you install four single vents in an under dash baffle or two individual vents instead of the standard center vent.
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Tri5man
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1510
Loc: Inlet Beach, FL
Reg: 06-26-07
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07-28-12 11:05 AM - Post#2252996
In response to cnbell
VA units are designed to go up under the dash and with not much of the evaporator visible. That said, it can be fairly difficult to get it up under the dash. I also do not like VA's idea to have all four hoses go through the blower motors round hole. I'm partial to the Old Air unit. The evaporator is more visible but I believe thats because the Old Air unit has a larger coil. Their hose routing through the firewall is neater looking and easier to install. Your choice.
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retiredrich
Contributor
Posts: 792
Loc: NE
Reg: 10-05-07
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07-28-12 11:53 AM - Post#2253008
In response to Tri5man
You're right, the four tubes going through the firewall and the overall tightness are what makes it so difficult. Someone under hood helped me by guiding the tubes and put the nuts on the studs. It seems like just a little smaller of an evaporator would make a big difference in the tightness putting it up under the dash, but maybe that's not possible for VA to incorporate in the design. I do like the their servos as opposed to units that use cables.
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awsum55
Senior Member
Posts: 8838
Age: 60
Loc: O.P. Kansas
Reg: 09-27-01
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07-28-12 11:58 AM - Post#2253009
In response to Tri5man
I just put my evaporator up under the dash the other day just to see how it will sit and it went up very easily. Did I forget to bolt something on first?
I see there is a couple of plates that screw on the front to rest on the front of the dash, and a couple of bolts through the firewall.
I wasn't really trying to install it, I was just checking things out, so there might be a step I missed. What part gets hung up? Maybe my dash has been distorted over the years to create a little more room.
Five things that you cannot recover in life:
* The Stone after it's thrown
* The Word after it's said
* An Occasion after it's missed
* The Time after it's gone
* A person after they die |
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retiredrich
Contributor
Posts: 792
Loc: NE
Reg: 10-05-07
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07-28-12 12:02 PM - Post#2253013
In response to awsum55
I think possibly a part that affected both my installs was a fairly new and thick firewall pad on both cars that made it difficult to get the tubes lined up. It also made the main body of the unit tight at the dash portion.
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Tri5man
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1510
Loc: Inlet Beach, FL
Reg: 06-26-07
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07-28-12 01:17 PM - Post#2253029
In response to retiredrich
I have done a couple of VA sure fit installation on 55-56 Chevys. Trying to get the evaporator under the dash was a pita.
Old Air units have the same servo set up as VA.
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retiredrich
Contributor
Posts: 792
Loc: NE
Reg: 10-05-07
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07-28-12 01:28 PM - Post#2253032
In response to Tri5man
It was the same tight frustrating fit when I put one in my '61. 
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 acardon
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 9458
Loc: DFW TEXAS
Reg: 03-25-05
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07-28-12 04:15 PM - Post#2253089
In response to retiredrich
The firewall pad is the big problem with getting it under the dash. Having a helper on the engine side to guide the lines through the firewall makes a big difference.
Don
66 Corvair (driving)
57 2dr HT (restoring)
56 2dr HT (waiting to be restored)
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 Charlie57
"4th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2935
Loc: Lebanon, Tennessee
Reg: 03-30-08
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07-28-12 08:50 PM - Post#2253186
In response to REBORN55
Not sure what you guys are talking about with the tight fit  Step 1. Cut out Dash! Step 2. Gingerly install the VA unit! Step 3 put dash back on.I did cut out my dash because I filled all my dash holes and it left no way to mount the VA unit.
I am in the process of installing mine right now. Today I was putting on the O rings and tightening for the last time I hope. I re-routed the lines, which I feel in hindsight was not worth it. Since my hood is not on I can not mount my unit permanently. So far everything seems to be straight forward.
Charlie
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Belair-o
Forum Newbie
Posts: 80
Reg: 03-26-07
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07-29-12 05:33 AM - Post#2253247
In response to acardon
The firewall pad is the big problem with getting it under the dash. Having a helper on the engine side to guide the lines through the firewall makes a big difference.
Don, I had wondered about the firewall pad I installed, and thought maybe I would have to cut out a significant chunk of the pad where the evaporator attaches to the firewall (and the hoses go through the firewall). Did you just cut out holes in the pad for the individual hoses? Did you have to trim the pad to bolt up the evaporator? Thanks, Doug
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acardon
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 9458
Loc: DFW TEXAS
Reg: 03-25-05
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07-29-12 06:35 AM - Post#2253261
In response to Belair-o
Doug, no, you don't have to cut any away. It just has to be compressed, while putting the unit in, and the hoses will catch on it as you rotate it up into position. A helper on the engine side can help squeeze the pad at the edge of the hole and direct the hose connection through the hole.
Don
66 Corvair (driving)
57 2dr HT (restoring)
56 2dr HT (waiting to be restored)
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Belair-o
Forum Newbie
Posts: 80
Reg: 03-26-07
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07-29-12 08:26 AM - Post#2253287
In response to acardon
Don,
Thanks for the reply! Doug
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cnbell
"10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 8657
Loc: So Cal
Reg: 04-14-04
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07-29-12 10:01 AM - Post#2253321
In response to Belair-o
Another option is I removed the jute backing from the firewall pad in the evaporator area, made the install much easier.
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REBORN55
Very Senior Member
Posts: 2086
Loc: DeSoto, Illinois. 62924
Reg: 01-21-01
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07-30-12 07:03 AM - Post#2253639
In response to cnbell
Thanks for help and suggestions---sure it will be a fun install and much more comfortable next year.
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inline0_0
"10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1396
Loc: Arizona desert
Reg: 03-10-04
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07-30-12 07:38 AM - Post#2253650
In response to REBORN55
I installed the A/C one year, then did all the required cooling system upgrades the next year. And then, wife & I really enjoy & appreciate it. Humid, hot, or both, it really makes driving your old car more fun. Next year, I'm hoping for tinted side glass & power windows.
Doug
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 jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 11675
Age: 54
Loc: Shelby Forest, Tennessee
Reg: 01-05-06
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07-30-12 04:23 PM - Post#2253873
In response to inline0_0
You're supposed to attach the hoses to the evap first?
No wonder I had such a time getting them on. 
Made the evaporator install seem easy. 
I also had some issue with the hoses not lining up exactly with the old blower motor hole.
Part of that could be the shape of the firewall.
That is to say, the out of shape.
Someone previously had sledge hammered it to, I guess, clear a big block or something.
I had to unhammer some of it just to get all of the evap studs in the holes.
I actually did think about taking it off and attaching the hoses, but after wrestling with it once, I didn't want to do it again.
I managed though.
When I was looking around at units/kits, I liked the VA best because you could use the original heater controls.
I didn't like the tack on cheapish-looking panel the others were including.
Maybe different now. I don't need one now so I haven't been looking at them.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
I actually own 2 Chevys now!
My Pics
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Pistol
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3558
Age: 66
Loc: Terryville, Ct.
Reg: 11-11-02
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07-30-12 05:38 PM - Post#2253917
In response to jeffs55
Mine went in pretty easy
Pete
Awl speeling misteaks r myn
57 BelAir 2DRHT My-Pics |
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greg pharr
Contributor
Posts: 883
Loc: North Mississippi
Reg: 07-09-03
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07-30-12 07:12 PM - Post#2253983
In response to Pistol
Boys....that is "cheating"!!!!I wish I had gone that route.
57 2 dr Sedan driver
Greg |
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awsum55
Senior Member
Posts: 8838
Age: 60
Loc: O.P. Kansas
Reg: 09-27-01
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07-30-12 07:27 PM - Post#2253990
In response to jeffs55
You're supposed to attach the hoses to the evap first?
No wonder I had such a time getting them on.
Made the evaporator install seem easy.
I also had some issue with the hoses not lining up exactly with the old blower motor hole.
Part of that could be the shape of the firewall.
That is to say, the out of shape.
Someone previously had sledge hammered it to, I guess, clear a big block or something.
I had to unhammer some of it just to get all of the evap studs in the holes.
I actually did think about taking it off and attaching the hoses, but after wrestling with it once, I didn't want to do it again.
I managed though.
When I was looking around at units/kits, I liked the VA best because you could use the original heater controls.
I didn't like the tack on cheapish-looking panel the others were including.
Maybe different now. I don't need one now so I haven't been looking at them.
Jeff, I guess you answered my question as to why I was able to put the evaporator up in the dash so easily. I didn't bolt the lines on mine either when I tested it for fit. I couldn't understand why everyone thought it was so hard.
Five things that you cannot recover in life:
* The Stone after it's thrown
* The Word after it's said
* An Occasion after it's missed
* The Time after it's gone
* A person after they die |
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Rick_L
Honored Member
Posts: 24738
Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
Reg: 07-06-00
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07-30-12 07:30 PM - Post#2253993
In response to greg pharr
Trouble is, that style of "cheating" is a lot of work.
Pay me to make the dash removeable.
Or pay me to shove the VA unit up behind it.
I'll take the latter without other reasons to make the dash removeable. For most of us there's not enough reasons.
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roger55
Contributor
Posts: 581
Reg: 08-07-09
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07-30-12 08:14 PM - Post#2254021
In response to Rick_L
Taking a dash out just to install a VA unit makes no sense.
I found it no trouble at all to install the evaporator in my '55. However, I didn't use the stock firewall pad. I have the RaamMat sound deadener and their Ensolite on top of that.
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