Vintage air install questions/help - 70' Chevelle

[Nick.V70]

I am in the middle of a V/A install and have a couple questions to see if anyone has come across the same and what you decided to do.

70' Chevelle that is a Malibu that I am installing a SS dash and VA#671400-VUZ Gen IV



http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2001.JPG

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2000.JPG


1. I am using for the time being to close the fire wall a BMR plate and after installing the plate I found that the V/A mounting bracket will be over lapping it. Not a bad issue but I was wounding what are most using if you are not smoothing/welding the fire wall hole closed? Also if you are smoothing it off are you guys just welding mounting studs to hang the V/A so the engine bay side of the fire wall stays nice a smooth?

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2002.JPG

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2003.JPG


2. So I found that one of the center dash vents off the V/A unit elbows directly into the center dash mount. I could cap it off and "T" the center 2 vents into just the one outlet that points to the drivers side. Or I could cut the dash mount and re-angle it to work? Anyone seen this before?

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2004.JPG


3. I know it is called SURE FIT, not DIRECT FIT......So I am guessing the best thing is to bend the mount to natch the car and just run self tappers to hold it?

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2005.JPG

4. On the OE pull vent it looks to me that this is not going to be used after this unit is installed? So no more air blowing down low or am I missing something here and something will hook up to maintain this later on the install? I read over it and looked and it doesn't look like they are used again.


http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2006.JPG

http://www.norcaltruck.com/01_misc_pic/70'%20Chevelle/Interior/Vintage%20Air%2007.JPG


Couple more over all pics on the install. So far not a bad install once the dash is out of the way. I have the new dash I am using mocked up to check the fit before I start mounting to make sure. Going to start back on it really early tomorrow to beat the heat out here, going to be 95 or hotterhttp://www.lateral-g.net/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif.
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[Nick.V70]

Well after doing alittle searching and hearing people say it was pretty easy of a install I think I may have found my problem and will be calling V/A tomorrow to make sure or get what I am missing.

Long story short my problem is that when I purchased this kit I told the guy I ordered with that I was not sure what engine set up I was going to be running but wanted to get the unit in the car because i was working on the inside and I would get the rest later once I knew what I was doing in the engine area. Well it looks as I have the right Evaporator kit but it is just the generic kit and not the package that should have been ordered with the mounting hardware and other special brackets meant for the 70' Chevelle. After looking on line at the instructions for the "KIT" I see where things are not right. I purchased that BMR fire wall plate because I had opened the Evap box and seen there was nothing to close the wall so ordered it. I also purchased this kit separate because I didn't want the OE still control panel and git the billet knob set up. I am not missing much but enough that made things not look right and I am completely glad I posted and took a step back because I would have caused way more work for myself trying to make it work. ha-ha...good thing this was not my daily driver!!

Here is the install sheet I compared to what I had for my install sheet and see whats missing > http://www.vintageair.com/GenIV%20sy...evellewoac.pdf

[cp72ss]

Nick,

Cool write up. I am just finishing a 72SS Chevelle and am working on the dash now. Quick question for you. Did you buy your dash aftermarket ? if so where? and how is the quality. I have the orig SS one in my car now but the previous owner cut a couple small holes in it for switches and im trying to figure out if I should fix the one i have or purchase a new shell.

thanks for any suggestions.

Chris


Well after doing alittle searching and hearing people say it was pretty easy of a install I think I may have found my problem and will be calling V/A tomorrow to make sure or get what I am missing.

Long story short my problem is that when I purchased this kit I told the guy I ordered with that I was not sure what engine set up I was going to be running but wanted to get the unit in the car because i was working on the inside and I would get the rest later once I knew what I was doing in the engine area. Well it looks as I have the right Evaporator kit but it is just the generic kit and not the package that should have been ordered with the mounting hardware and other special brackets meant for the 70' Chevelle. After looking on line at the instructions for the "KIT" I see where things are not right. I purchased that BMR fire wall plate because I had opened the Evap box and seen there was nothing to close the wall so ordered it. I also purchased this kit separate because I didn't want the OE still control panel and git the billet knob set up. I am not missing much but enough that made things not look right and I am completely glad I posted and took a step back because I would have caused way more work for myself trying to make it work. ha-ha...good thing this was not my daily driver!!

Here is the install sheet I compared to what I had for my install sheet and see whats missing > http://www.vintageair.com/GenIV%20sy...evellewoac.pdf

[Nick.V70]

Nick,

Cool write up. I am just finishing a 72SS Chevelle and am working on the dash now. Quick question for you. Did you buy your dash aftermarket ? if so where? and how is the quality. I have the orig SS one in my car now but the previous owner cut a couple small holes in it for switches and im trying to figure out if I should fix the one i have or purchase a new shell.

thanks for any suggestions.

Chris


Thanks Chris.

I picked mine up from http://www.mattsclassicbowties.com/ was around 300 if I remember right. Really nice piece, fit fine so far.


On the V/A install, I figured out that I purchase a Universal kit for reason my sales guy said it would be better because I wanted the knobs so the only thing we should have done different was order with it a couple vent adapters. Other wise I had everything. He told me it was a Uni kit but I didn't catch on to that till the install:lol: . After knowing the install took a couple mods to make fit but in the end I didn't have to cut my glove box and loose space and it is tucked up under the dash a couple more inch's than it should have been installed in there kit package so I am happy.

[ProdigyCustoms]

They should have sent you a NON Factory A/C Chevelle kit. The NON Factory A/C systems are set up to accept 3 knob controllers or the contoller that comes in the Chevelle kit. The universal kit is going to continue to be a struggle for you.

[Nick.V70]

They should have sent you a NON Factory A/C Chevelle kit. The NON Factory A/C systems are set up to accept 3 knob controllers or the contoller that comes in the Chevelle kit. The universal kit is going to continue to be a struggle for you.


What do you mean? The 3 knob controler plugs right in to the box? Am I missing something.

[ProdigyCustoms]

You said you wanted to use the 3 knob control. If they would have ordered a kit for a Non Factory A/C Chevelle the 3 knob control would have pluged right in.

[EBMC]

Hey Nick,
We have a non factory air 70 chevelle, smooth firewall, Gen IV system in the shop now if you want to swing by and look at anything.

[Nick.V70]

You said you wanted to use the 3 knob control. If they would have ordered a kit for a Non Factory A/C Chevelle the 3 knob control would have pluged right in.

The 3 knob plugs into the UNI box still. I have to make a mounting plat still but I had everything out and pluged it in before I started the install from what I remember. I will go down and try again to make sure.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Right. I was just telling you if they would have ordered you a Chevelle box it would plug into that also, and you would have the coreect box, brackets and hose adapters.

[Nick.V70]

Hey Nick,
We have a non factory air 70 chevelle, smooth firewall, Gen IV system in the shop now if you want to swing by and look at anything.



Thank you for offering, I do have mine mounted already. I just had to do alittle mod to the uni-mounting bracket and I welded a nut to the inside between the box and the mounting plate to run a bolt in to the cab from the engine side because I could not reach it other wise. I was just not ready for those extra steps and didn't want to start doing my own thing to find out I was wrong. Big problem was that I was not clear that is was a UNI kit and not the direct bolt in kit for the Chevelle.

[ProdigyCustoms]

The Chevelle kit would have included the kick panel and heater blower cover for hose routing. but that could be ordered seprate. It is just ashame it will cost money and would have been included in the Chevelle kit. Your dealer screwed this up. Maybe you can lean on him to cover the $100 or so it is going to cost to buy all this stuff you should not have to buy.

[Nick.V70]

No not really. He was steps ahead of me more than I knew. I told him want I had planned and he ordered it this way and cut the cost down. I ordered AC Chevelle lower panels and had the new SS dash. I also had the block off plate for the fire wall, I also have ordered the AC dash center section w/vents so all the things that are included in the Chevelle package I would not use and or need. The only ball he dropped was not getting me the extra 3 vent adapters I needed. After I figured it all out I was happy not loosing any space in my glove box and the unit is tucked up higher, not much but every little bit helps.

I just went and plugged the new billet control knob harness into the VA box and it connected perfect. I am not sure where the problem might be in the install on that from what you are saying. Any guidance is great if I am over looking something here. I am not planning to hook the AC up until I drop the BB in so I will just be mounting the knob controller into the dash and not run it till later.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I am sorry, you are miss understanding me. What I am saying is yes, that controller is for the universal unit. That contoller would also have worked on the Chevelle unit if order for a NON A/C car and the Chevelle kit would have come with all the adapters, kick panel for hoses to run through, Heater blower block plate for hoses to run through, Firewall block plate, etc for the same money. But if is not costing you more you golden.

Are you bringing your hoses through the kick panel like the Chevelle kit does?

[Nick.V70]

Got it. Yes the hoses are going to run out the fan hole under the fender until we pull the cab for paint. I drilled out the holes for the billet bulk head I also got. Going ahead and making the hoses and fittings on the in side of the car so that side is done on the heater hoses, capping the AC holes at the fire wall and then installing the old heater hose that was already in the engine bay to the bulk head to finish the heater side of things until the BB drops in and then I will make nice line and finish the AC side of the install. I am still learning on these new school parts offered on the old school cars, been out of it for a long time so I am doing sections at a time to not overwhelm myself.

[ProdigyCustoms]

You may be working to hard. Check out page 9 on the Chevelle instructions. Cleanest simplest way to install one

http://vintageair.com/GenIV%20systems/Chevy/chevelle/70-72chevellewac%20.pdf

[Nick.V70]

What part are you referring to. I printed the install sheets for both cars and on one WO AC shows the kick panels and the other it shows the fire wall plats VA gives you with holes. I did all the same on my car but used the bulk head so I was ready for when we do the smooth fire wall.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Opps, added the link.

[SS1156]

Opps, added the link.

Frank, sorry to hijack but I am looking at a 70 Camaro that does not have factory air. How hard of an install is the V/A? I will be changing out the dash pad to add the center vent because I want it to look oem. Is there a way to put the compressor on the right side? I would rather have it over there so the a/c lines aren't running across the motor to the rt side. Please let me know. I am mechanically inclined so if it's not too bad I should be able I just wanted a little insight as to how hard it is to do. it looks like you are only an hour or so away from me anyways. I would love to come by and check out your shop. I guess my buddies up in Tarpon Springs have already met you and they were the ones that sent me to you.

[ProdigyCustoms]

The install, it is a 20 hour job and requires only standard hand tools. The system for your 70 includes a new factory replacment controller. The hose all connect to the factory Astro vents and a new center vent is included.

Your welcome to stop by anytime. Just give me a call for address and directions. We hidden are invitation only.