65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
General Discussion => How To's => Topic started by: dlmwtvl on February 11, 2018, 07:01:40 PM
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I want to install a vintage air unit into my car. They make a direct fit unit for the 65 Chevelle. They are not sure if it fits the Skylark.
I would like to know if someone has done it...
Any and all input on this install would be appreciated.
I certainly am not against the original unit, but, I like the look of the flat heater box cover, and the idea, of an all in one unit, under the dash.
Sincerely
David
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It has been done. One of the '65 Gran sport guys has an extremely sweet '65 Gran Sport mild custom. He used the vintage system on his nail head.
Unfortunately, he doesn't do internet, but I'm sure there are some pictures around. It is one really fantastic car !
I'll see if I can find some pictures.
Loren
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I thought I had some better pictures of his engine compartment and interior, but not finding them.
Loren
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Here are a couple. I'll look for more.
Chuck
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Dear David, Loren, and mid-60s Buick owners who like to be kewl! :glasses9:
I want to install a vintage air unit into my car. They make a direct fit unit for the 65 Chevelle. They are not sure if it fits the Skylark.
I would like to know if someone has done it...
Any and all input on this install would be appreciated.
There is a Vintage Air system in my trusty wagon. I looked over the choices and went instead with the 1964-67 GTO surefit kit. It made hooking up the controls easier since the GTO and Buick controls are similar. You also need to make a deal with whoever you by the kit from to swap the correct evaporator coil because the GTO one is too big.
I've got lot's of info on this but it is late tonight, I'll have to look this stuff up for you in the morning. However, I can give you some quick photos of the dash. I was able to get the original outside vents fitted into my car and I did something novel about the inside vents. Here is the passenger side view:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Dashboard-before-and-after/i-LWzhV9P/0/6d6247c7/XL/IMG_3205-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Dashboard-before-and-after/i-LWzhV9P/A)
Here is a close-up of how I did the center vents:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Dashboard-before-and-after/i-CHttVQp/0/4006abfd/XL/IMG_3206-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Dashboard-before-and-after/i-CHttVQp/A)
I got hold of an original Buick A/C controller and the fellows who installed the main components for me programmed the Vintage Air system to use the Buick controls correctly.
Here is the drive's side:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Dashboard-before-and-after/i-nH2swKL/0/48ae3677/XL/IMG_3209-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Dashboard-before-and-after/i-nH2swKL/A)
I have most of the details of how to route the hoses, where to locate the various components and so on. The one problem you'll have is that you will need a bracket to support the Sanden compressor. I don't know of anybody making a bracket for a Nailhead. My bracket was made for me by splicing the Vintage Air bracket to the original Buick big-block bracket. However, you've got to get the alignments just right.
You'll need to "fab" for yourself a new glove box liner. However, I can send you plans on how to make one.
I hope that's enough to get you started on the project. I can give you more info tomorrow!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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A couple more pictures of Roger Sears' beauty!
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Air, overdrive, disc brakes, and fuel injection seem like the best upgrades to our cars for those who want to enjoy driving them in addition to looking at them. I just drove to AZ (not in a GS) but with the speed limits of 75-80 mph for hundreds of miles that cold be tough on the stock 65. Those upgrades are probably in my future, or buy a modified Skylark.
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Dear David, Chuck, Jim, and mid-60s Buick owners who like to be cool! :glasses9:
First I should correct myself. I had forgotten that there are brackets in multiple styles for the Nailhead. Here is the Centerville Garage webpage with some listed:
http://centervilleautorepair.com/alternator (http://centervilleautorepair.com/alternator)
Something else to be aware of is that the evaporator assembly is quite large and occupies a lot of space under the dash. It is so big that I wasn't able to photograph it very easily. Here is a view through the glove compartment door:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-4wv8c6N/0/f841f3c3/XL/IMG_2748-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-4wv8c6N/A)
Here is another view from under the dash with the passenger side kick-panel to provide some perspective on the size:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-LQMf7Dm/0/5cc253bf/XL/IMG_2749-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-LQMf7Dm/A)
Vintage Air suggests using the space for the passenger side fresh air vent to route the hoses. However, some guys on the Team Chevelle forum figured out another route using the old heater box. Here is the hoses coming out of the evaporator assembly and into the engine bay:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-FwzWLrL/0/8d8ad69b/XL/IMG_2750-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-FwzWLrL/A)
Here is the modified header box:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-9CGmXG8/0/51f0247a/XL/IMG_2751-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/Installing-Vintage-Air/i-9CGmXG8/A)
The hoses are then routed between the inner and outer fender on the passenger side for a less cluttered engine bay.
In my wagon, the condenser is mounted in front the radiator like this:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/EFI-gas-lines-and-AC-condenser/i-2LQs8xm/0/eb3ee421/X2/IMG_3041-X2.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/EFI-gas-lines-and-AC-condenser/i-2LQs8xm/A)
The dryer is hidden behind the battery which in a Special is on the passenger side:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/EFI-gas-lines-and-AC-condenser/i-krrn92g/0/5baab58c/X2/IMG_3040-X2.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Drive-Train-makeover/EFI-gas-lines-and-AC-condenser/i-krrn92g/A)
Here are a few views of the engine bay as completed to give some perspective on how everything is routed. In this front view you can see the heater hoses routed to the engine from the heater box assembly.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Biquettes-Jan-1-2016-outing/i-2S24KX4/0/440796b3/XL/Biquette%27s%20engine%20-%20front%20-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Biquettes-Jan-1-2016-outing/i-2S24KX4/A)
There is a control valve just to right of the EFI ECU box. Here is a view from the passenger side showing how the hoses are routed to the compressor:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Biquettes-Jan-1-2016-outing/i-Kw9KNJ3/0/c4ea122d/XL/Biquette%27s%20engine%20starboard%20midway%20front%20-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Biquettes-Jan-1-2016-outing/i-Kw9KNJ3/A)
Just for completeness, here is a view from the other side. As you can see, there simply isn't much visible related to the Vintage Air installation:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Biquettes-Jan-1-2016-outing/i-c2PffLs/0/caa214d7/XL/Biquette%27s%20engine%20-%20port%20midway%20front%20-XL.jpg) (https://canebas.smugmug.com/Biquette/Photos-of-Biquette/Biquettes-Jan-1-2016-outing/i-c2PffLs/A)
This engine is a custom Buick big-block based on the 1968 430, but most of these concepts should apply to the Nailhead.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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Thank you all so much!!
Those cars are incredible!! Some really nice work.
I look forward to moving forward with my AC install, with all your help!!
Sincerely,
David.
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Dear David and mid-60s Buick owners who have a camera and aren't afraid to use it!
Thank you all so much!!
You are welcome!
I look forward to moving forward with my AC install, with all your help!!
When you finally get around to working on the Vintage Air end of things don't hesitate to ask for more details if that would help. I took a ton of pictures when my wagon was put back together, so I have many more details than what I posted. The Vintage Air installation is reasonably well described in the instructions, but as the saying goes "a picture is worth 1000 words."
Cheers, Edouard :occasion14:
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I can call Rodger and ask questions also. I remember him saying the end cover was a specific part number to make the hoses work correctly for their routing.
So don't hesitate,
Loren
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All
Here are a few more additional pictures of Rogers modified 65 GS.
He is no stranger to the winners circle at Bowling Green GSCA and BCA events.
His car is really amazing.
Milton
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And More
Sorry the additional pictures I had in mind are to large so I will have to come back at it.
Milton