buick5563 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Terse?i prefer low key! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Three day without an update! Unacceptable! Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Sorry Boys, I had to take care of some rental house business.Got back to it today.The original compressor bracket was reused. I had to drill out the holes to accommodate using 3/8" bolts which is what the Sanden compressor is drilled for. After doing that, I realized that I had some old door hinge pins with bushings. Conceivably, you could press the bushings into the compressor holes, and use 5/16 " bolts without drilling your original bracket. I don't know for sure, but maybe the next guy can try that. Either way, I used some lock washers between the original comp bracket and the Sanden and the belts lined up perfectly.I also used the original drier bracket. Bill took that out and cleaned it up, so I may have installed it backwards and upside down. I don't care, just letting you know that it is way better looking than the cheesy clamps that come with the "kit".Thusly:I also got the condenser mounted. That is just trial and error. If you can't figure this part out, you shouldn't be trying this project .Hard to see, but looks neat:So far, I have about 24 hours into this. I may be slower than people who do this all of the time, but think about how much this would cost if you were paying restoration shops (REAL restoration shops) $100 / hr. Even if they did it in half the time, you would be $1,200 into the project and I bet I am just a little over halfway there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cool57 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Is the glove box lost entirely? Or can you retain a shallow portion of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Have not gotten there yet, I am hoping we can keep some of it or else I dont know where I will put my trunk opener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I know we will have a portion of it left. I just rebuilt the "oh, so loose" jingle ball vents and hooked up the ducts. Yes, the ducts fit REAAAALLLLY tightly on the original outlets, but you have to fit them first, THEN screw them back to the dash. I also used silver HVAC tape to further secure them (duct to outlet) , but they aren't going anywhere. I chose to run the ducting before doing the hose connections so I would have more room. Speaking of hoses, I am GOING to be hosed if this thing has a leak anywhere, since it is all ducted now. Fingers crossed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Here are a couple of pictures of the ducting.First is the passenger side vent. It is hanging until I make all of the hose connections at the evaporator. Here is the mess at the top of the evaporator.The defroster vents went in first, because the outlets are in the back of the evaporator. They are just squished up in the factory vent. From left to right (as viewed in the car) Left side center ventDrivers side ventRight side center ventPassenger side ventThis made for the most straightforward routing, and should avoid all radio parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I on the other hand made a trip to San Antonio for other business and on the way I spent another 500 dollars on connectors at Vintage Air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 Speaking of hoses, I am GOING to be hosed if this thing has a leak anywhere, since it is all ducted now. Fingers crossed...As I recall I ran the ducting but I left the dash completely apart until I had it charged. And I did have a leak... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 I on the other hand made a trip to San Antonio for other business and on the way I spent another 500 dollars on connectors at Vintage Air.I hope you can return the ones you don't use for credit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 As I recall I ran the ducting but I left the dash completely apart until I had it charged. And I did have a leak...Yeah. That is the finger crossed part! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I hope you can return the ones you don't use for credit!I made a map of what I wanted. At the most, he should be returning two, and even then, I may buy em from him for future jobs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I made a map of what I wanted. At the most, he should be returning two, and even then, I may buy em from him for future jobs... Optimistic he is! Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I have been at Mike's this morning. While Mike was running Heater hoses I was replacing the fan clutch. Not a hard job just a pain to do as you have to figure out how to hold the pulley from turning.Below is a picture of how Mike ran the heater lines in the engine compartment. BTW, 2 sizes of heater hose was used 3/4 " and 5/8's ". The nipple coming off the crossover is 5/8ths while the one coming from the water pump was 3/4. Good thing the make a adapter to step them down.Now to trim bushes around the house.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Looking good.More progress in Mike's shop this weekend than mine.I am glad I am not tearing apart a 1st Gen Riv dash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Here is a story about hoses:When you buy the "universal kit", you need to have the ends crimped on just to begin the project. You drive (let's say) 1/2 hour. Drop them off because the shop can't get to them right away. Drive home 1/2 hour. Drive back and forth to pick them up. You have two hours before you can even start the project. Then you measure, cut the hose to length, "clock the other end", repeat two hour drive time, etc.I thought Bill was crazy to buy the more expensive EZ-Lock system. Wow, was I wrong!It took me about two or three hours to get the heater hoses run. Hell, those are easy, right?It took me less than three hours to do ALL of the AC lines.Check it out:Underdash connections made: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Just a little more information about EZ Lock.... Its made by a company called Eaton and and Mike said you can do this in the comfort of your garage.The hoses are about 1/2 the size of regular barrier hose. 3/4's of an inch for a number 10 hose. This makes routing in crowded under dash areas easier and twisting and turning it is easier.Yes, a bit more expensive but as Mike describes, it beats the alternatives.For More information:http://www.thecatalogroom.com/A-HC-TI-0001-E-Eaton-Aeroquip-EZClip-CONV.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 That looks like a great system for the hoses, wish they would have had that when I did mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buickbonehead Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 They may have changed the design of the compressor since I did my install, but I seem to remember the compressor had to be clocked where both hoses were on top. It makes for a very tall unit to get under the hood. I bought the compressor with the rear exits rather than the side.Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Thanks Rick.I actually have had a couple of people ask me about that.When I installed one on my 55 wagon, I made triple-sure that I could mount it sideways, and I also made sure about this one. The important thing to note is that the oil fill hole can't be more than 90 degrees (in other words, upside down).Here are the instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buickbonehead Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 (edited) It must be ok. The picture of Ed's system in this thread has it mounted that way. He would have said something if he had problems.Rick Edited June 3, 2013 by buickbonehead (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I got the radiator back in today. I don't know if you guys have done this, but I cut a couple of pieces of 3/8" hose and installed it over the tabs for the fan shroud and squished it up into the oval holes. Works great. No more shroud shake. I also got the engine part wired. I pushed the Red power wire through the speedo cable hole and the Blue compressor wire through the antenna wire hole. Hooked the power wire to the original AC stud on the drivers side.I used the blower fuse as the switched lead. A 5 amp AGC fuse fit perfectly which is what it calls for.No pics today but there are only two wires in the engine compartment for the whole shebang. Everything else is connected in the console area. Waiting on the plate from my fabricator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Its Friday, I am at work but I got the controls and panel back for the fabricator last night. Looks good.Mike texted me that he has heat and blower today. He is missing a harness and he is on the way to get it and then we may (better) have cold air.As long as I had this whole section apart I am also replacing all the wood trim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Got it charged today. Going to start installing Bill's wood kit and reassembling the interior tomorrow.Cold enough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Got it charged today. Going to start installing Bill's wood kit and reassembling the interior tomorrow.Cold enough?Now that's what I call layin' chilly right there. Bill won't need a cooler to keep his homebrew cold, just set 'em next to the vents. Is that R12 or R134a in there? Or did you already say that in an older post and I have HUA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 134a.I used about two cans, plus a partial with dye in it.Just in case...Yeah, Bill wanted to steal a vent and put it in the glove box for beverage cooling purposes. Like a Lexus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Warning. A little Dynamat is good. Putting it where the factory didn't on the dash pad makes the pad impossible to install. I didn't mark where the old stuff was and I was a bit too over-zealous when insulating. Ouch! My palms hurt from beating on the pad until I realized it just wasn't gonna fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 You may need to bend this piece of sheet metal to make your ducts fit. I then used silver foil HVAC tape to further secure the ducts and prevent air leaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Is the glove box lost entirely? Or can you retain a shallow portion of it?I was able to reuse the entire glovebox!It also latches well with some adjustments made. Anybody jealous? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Jealous, no. Envious - you damn betcha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Envious.Better word.At the least, maybe your courtesy (map?) light isn't all cracked up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Everything is back together!It even lights up. Plus a new wood kit installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Nice!!!I gave up on the Wildcat at noon, too humid to work out there today.I need an air conditioner out there.Truly a beautiful job Mike. Great looking ride Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Thanks Paul.You northern piney rednecks are more hearty when it comes to cold weather, but this is the thermometer in my garage at 3:00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wildcat465 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 I will admit, it was only 70.With a dew point of 70.No breeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Thanks Paul.You northern piney rednecks are more hearty when it comes to cold weather, but this is the thermometer in my garage at 3:00But it's a dry heat! I'll bet you've heard that before. No matter, it's still HOT!!! Really nice job on the compete conversion. Will you be sending pictures of the engine compartment side?Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Here ya go Ed.Power for the system is tapped at the same point as the factory AC. I threaded the wire through the speedo hole.Compressor with binary switch in the drier. View of the compressor mounted in original bracket. I routed the hoses as neatly as I could. EZ-Lock system doesn't have 45 degree service ports, which might look a bit neater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 All told, I have 50 "billable hours". That includes cleanup and painting of some parts. Fixing the vent balls. Fixing the glove box door. Probably other "extras" I'm not thinking about. I am fortunate that I have installed several underdash systems before, as well as installing a factory trunk AC in my 55 Special, so I wasn't intimidated by the theory of installing. I also used to own a 63 Wildcat convertible with Air so I was familiar with some of the oddities of (oh, let's just say...jingle balls).I also want to thank TexRiv_63 for his spectacular pictures that he sent me early on. This helped a bunch. Thanks Don.I will be happy to supplement any info through PM's or emails. I am usually a lurker here on the Riv site. I hope y'all enjoyed my blood and sweat. (No tears) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Definitely a big "atta boy!" Great pictures, layman's explanations. I think this entire thread should be made a 'sticky' for future reference.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Get Don to post some of his pics as well (or I can). If you want to supplement my build with his pics. He clearly was scratching his head more than I was, since I didn't take as many pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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