'65 Coupe Resto-Mod and '68 Full Custom Restoration

[vito]

Hey rbryce1

Espect 3 heavy boxes for the A/C unit. 45lbs, 43lbs, and the small one of 35lbs. I got mine today and can't wait to get to that part of the project. Wifey was kind of mad since we have a convertable

Cheers

Vito

[MaineVette]

Well, I bit the bullet today. Ordered the Vette's air conditioning system from Vintage Air. I went with them over Classic Auto Air mostly due to their warranty and their Generation IV A/C system they just released. It elimates all cable controls and convert your existing controls to electronic controls. Better compressor, variable speed fan motor and fully electronic climate control. Still installs without any modifications to the interior and uses factory A/C ports and console controls.

Alsoooooooooo, I ordered Vintage Air's "FrontRunner" serpentine belt assembly. It's just awsome. There is a large polished aluminum frame that bolts onto the block using extended length water pump bolts and all the devices mount onto the aluminum frame. It comes with a polished aluminum A/C compressor, a high capacity reverse flow polished aluminum water pump, a polished aluminum 140 amp alternator, a polished aluminum belt tension controller which varies the tension with engine rpm (the higher the engine rpm, the more tension it applies), and all chrome pulleys for everything. Now I will have a totally compatable belt system, sturdy as a rock, no vibrating components, nothing to align and looks awsome. Can't wait till it gets here.

http://www.vintageair.com/frontrunner.asp

Almost finished with the rebuilding of the inner front frenders and the wiper area , and about ready for painting the firewall and inside of the front fenders, then the body drop back onto the frame. May be driving it within 2 months.

So how's that bank account looking these days? I would love to do the same, but man oh man, that stuff adds up fast!!! That's going to be a great looking engine bay. You'll have to post some pictures when it all comes in!

Glad to hear you're making some good progress. I'm still torn on what to do with my AC system. I can buy a few pieces and upgrade it, or I can replace it entirely for about $600 more. Still torn on what to do, but I have a while to figure it out. AC is still pretty low on my to-do list.

[rbryce1]

After about 6 months of fiberglass work on the floors and firewall and inner fenders and body mounts, I didn't spend a lot of cash, just a lot of work. Now that the Vettes credit card just got paid off from the engine build, it was time to sock it to it again!

[nwav8tor]

My AC will be rolling the windows down and removing the T-tops and back glass...

Paul

[rbryce1]

Something tells me you live up North!!!

[nwav8tor]

WA isn't usually too hot, but that's not the reason. The car came from the factory without air, and I'm "leaning" towards keeping it original. We'll see once the disassembly is in progress.

Paul

[rbryce1]

My experience has shown me that there are 5 types of Corvettes.

1) Fully restored, 1 million percent factory original and restored exactly per the build sheet.
2) Restored or Fully restored, not 100% factory compliant, minor problem corrections, some aftermarket equipment, but almost no other enhancements.
3) Restored or Fully Restored with some notable custom changes and/or aftermarket equipment.
4) Restored or Fully Restored with radical alterations.
5) Patiently waiting for someone to do 1, 2, 3 or 4 above.

Sounds like you are pursuing #2, which I find extremely popular if not probably the most popular. It's the best of both worlds.

[vito]

rbryce1

Can I add #6?

people who buy a vette to restore, start the restoration (within 1-4 above), and then part it out!!!

Seen this before.

cheers

Vito

[vito]

rbryce1

When you get your A/C unit, open the boxes ASAP. Make sure the lines and the Evap/Condener have their fittings plugged. One of mine was open. Keep them sealed until install. Also the units are packed very well, first rate!

Cheers

Vito

[rbryce1]

I'm hoping the system will get here today, but not so far. I down loaded the installation manual and have the template for the firewall cut, so I can proceed with the work this weekend, but now I am also looking into the polished aluminum bulkhead plate that the freon and heater hose lines connect to for passing through the firewall. Looks a lot more awsome than the piece of sheet metal they provide. It is only $60.00 for the polished plate, but they are looking into whether the freon and heater hose pipes on the inside of the firewall going from the plate to the evaporator unit will have to be modified to connect to this plate and, if so, what it will take to do this.

I will be sure to look for the caps you mentioned though. It is extremely important to keep anything out of the pipes and components, especially moisture and dirt. Good advice.

Can't wait to see the serpentine belt system!