68 Camaro A/C evaporator bracket?

[Smitty68]

What are some of you guys doing as far as mods on a smoothed firewall and using the Detroit Speed 69 Vintage Air bracket to fit the 68. I'm installing the gen 4 unit and cannot find anything but the older compaq smaller system brackets being used in the 68's.

[130fe]

Are you using the sure fit one or the universal Gen IV? I have the sure fit one and it came with brackets. They bolted to the ac unit and attached to the inner dash area.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

What are some of you guys doing as far as mods on a smoothed firewall and using the Detroit Speed 69 Vintage Air bracket to fit the 68. I'm installing the gen 4 unit and cannot find anything but the older compaq smaller system brackets being used in the 68's.

When I smooth firewalls I like to make a reinforcing bars that weld to the back side. It makes a great place to weld studs to for mounting the evap units using the Vintage Air mounting plates.

[Smitty68]

Are you using the sure fit one or the universal Gen IV? I have the sure fit one and it came with brackets. They bolted to the ac unit and attached to the inner dash area.

Thanks for the reply Chris, I plan on using the sure fit gen 4. I was under the impression that one or more bolts protrude through the firewall? If not the DSE bracket won't be needed???

[Smitty68]

When I smooth firewalls I like to make a reinforcing bars that weld to the back side. It makes a great place to weld studs to for mounting the evap units using the Vintage Air mounting plates.

Thanks for the pics and help Vince. I have the finish coat of paint etc.. Already on the firewall. Did you add those after paint?

[130fe]

One of the bolts would normally poke through the firewall. A little planning and welding the bolt like Vince talked about will solve that problem. Mine is welded in 9for my smoothed firewall. make sure you weld before you paint ;-)

[jwcarguy]

Smitty,

I use the template that is supplied with the sure fit kit, layout the intended holes
The ones that are to be drilled through the firewall, I use 1/4-20 elevator bolts and weld them to the inside of firewall at the location ( I attached a pic)

You are basically reversing the mounting , by making a mounting stud, rather than a through bolt setup

You maybe able to carefully stitch weld one in place prior to final finish??

hope this helps,
Jeff

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Thanks for the pics and help Vince. I have the finish coat of paint etc.. Already on the firewall. Did you add those after paint?

if your already painted find a spot where you can bridge from to create a mount. Theres a spot between the firewall and floor pan where the subframe bushing support that you can weld to. Will not be visible from the engine side.

This car I made a bracket that used the bulkhead mount and a bolt at the frame bushing reinforcment to support the evaporater. The stud was welded to the plate. Turned out to be overkill but kept the firewall clear.

[SlowProgress]

This is timely I just started playing with the DSE 69 bracket for my 67 and just posted up where I am so far in the build thread. I like Vince's stiffener idea to make sure the flat firewall doesn't oil can. What do you guys do for the glove box ? I am trying to save as much of the stock looking glove box as possible. If you have any head on shots you could post it would be appreciated. I am not really sure my A/C unit is in the right location yet ?

http://i.imgur.com/znHzcyil.jpg

[jwcarguy]

This is timely I just started playing with the DSE 69 bracket for my 67 and just posted up where I am so far in the build thread. I like Vince's stiffener idea to make sure the flat firewall doesn't oil can. What do you guys do for the glove box ? I am trying to save as much of the stock looking glove box as possible. If you have any head on shots you could post it would be appreciated. I am not really sure my A/C unit is in the right location yet ?

http://i.imgur.com/znHzcyil.jpg

looks too far towards the center of the car

[SlowProgress]

That's what I was thinking as well. It just barely interferes with the ashtray bracket which was the first tip. The further right I move it the smaller the glove box gets though! Left and higher saves me the most space.

[jwcarguy]

why are you trying to use a 69 bracket that doesn't work with the 67-8

The Vintage Air kit comes with a revised (shallower) two piece inner abs glove box

Plus, moving that unit over will most likely interfere with both the dash climate controls, radio head unit and possibly the center defrost and other duct work plumbing

[SlowProgress]

why are you trying to use a 69 bracket that doesn't work with the 67-8

The Vintage Air kit comes with a revised (shallower) two piece inner abs glove box

Plus, moving that unit over will most likely interfere with both the dash climate controls, radio head unit and possibly the center defrost and other duct work plumbing
Those are all great questions.

I like the DSE bracket because it supports the unit really well. The sheet metal brackets in the kit are OK, but I just didn't like them that much. But I may use the firewall side one with a welded stud. I want the unit to be securely mounted to avoid rattles. I will be using most of the DSE bracket, maybe just a couple of slight mods and I may hang other things from that bracket later, good foundation!

The plastic glove box pieces just don't look good to me. For some reason I like the old-time look of the cardboard fuzzy glove box. I am also not going to fill up the glove box with electronics.

I agree I won't move it too far over and I am checking the clearance on the ashtray, slide controls and figuring out how to get a single DIN radio bracket in there. Nothing is set in stone yet. If I figure it out I will post up some more photos. And, if I screw it up it won't be the first time!!

Scott

[jwcarguy]

Scott,

Here is a pic of the single DIN radio that I did in my 68'

Jeff

[SlowProgress]

Jeff,

That is gorgeous. I remember seeing that earlier and you did a great job. I will take a DIN mount and make sure I don't interfere with it, sort of like what you did. I will go back and poke around on your build thread for some more info. Is the bezel a custom piece that you fabbed and then hydro-dipped?

Scott

[jwcarguy]

Jeff,

That is gorgeous. I remember seeing that earlier and you did a great job. I will take a DIN mount and make sure I don't interfere with it, sort of like what you did. I will go back and poke around on your build thread for some more info. Is the bezel a custom piece that you fabbed and then hydro-dipped?

Scott

Scott
Yes, I made both the center dash panel and center gauge shifter bezel for the 5th Gen console
then had them hydro-dipped locally

Let me know if you need any input on them

Jeff

[Bmf5150]

Great info guys ,I’m planning my vintage air install now