what to do with my a/c and heater box?

[Doober]

I'm with Jack... some places A/C is almost necessity. Out here in AZ it's routinely 100+ in the summer, none of this "dry heat" BS, it's just plain hot. I'm really trying to find a setup that will allow me to keep A/C without a bulky box like the factory one, but I also hope to keep the glove box... see FE3X_CLONE's album. I may still have a plate made that pops out a little like his does, but only if it aids in fitting the A/C box.

1983mailbuwagon, I'd love to see more pics of your car 😀 What size tire are you running up front? I'd like to fit a 17x9 if I could on mine, but I'm afraid I'd have to yank the inner fenderwells... not really a big deal in the long run because I'd like to get a pair of wheel tubs fit for a little more room, but until that's done I want to try to keep the stockers.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

I've yet to see an aftermarket replacement A/C unit to eliminate that big ugly, space consuming airbox on the firewall. Some of us live in climates that warrant keeping A/C in the car...even though mine hasn't worked in several years. :?

It really doesn't take much more work than the AC block off plates. You just tilt the plate out and fill in the sides:

I'm really trying to find a setup that will allow me to keep A/C without a bulky box like the factory one, but I also hope to keep the glove box... I may still have a plate made that pops out a little like his does, but only if it aids in fitting the A/C box.

That'll be tough. The unit I bought was the smallest one that Hot Rod Air made and it just bare fits width wise. To keep the glove box you'd have to move evaporator out further into the engine bay.

 

[1983mailbuwagon]

IF YOU WANNA SEE MORE PICTURES OF MY WAGON, PLEASE CHECK THE WAGON SECTION, UNDER WAGON GETTING CLOSE TO COMPLETE. THANKS

 

[Longroof79]

Andrew, thanks for posting the pic.
Nice clean engine compartment. So the evaporator, blower, etc, fits under the dash with the bulkhead fittings protruding from thru the block off plate. I like that.
You're also saying the the A/C block off plate is not flat, it has sides fitted or fabbed on it to create a shallow air box. Nice clean job.
I like the pro-touring theme. To be able to retain comfort,and cruisability.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Andrew, thanks for posting the pic.
Nice clean engine compartment. So the evaporator, blower, etc, fits under the dash with the bulkhead fittings protruding from thru the block off plate. I like that.

Yes.
You can see the backside here:

You're also saying the the A/C block off plate is not flat, it has sides fitted or fabbed on it to create a shallow air box. Nice clean job.

 

[Longroof79]

Andrew,
I now get a better picture of what you've done. You've also created an air intake on top of the airbox / rain gutter. Cleverly done. Thanks again for the additional pics.

Also, what type of compressor will you be using? Sanden rotary or R-4?

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Actually, I just bought the rain gutter from TR Custom Parts.

For a compressor I'm using a Sanden 508.

 

[Longroof79]

Actually, I just bought the rain gutter from TR Custom Parts.

For a compressor I'm using a Sanden 508.

=========================================================================================================
So the rain gutter piece is an aftermarket part. Was it specifically made to fit a G-body car? I guess the Sanden compressor was part of the A/C installation package?

 

[FE3X CLONE]

=========================================================================================================
So the rain gutter piece is an aftermarket part. Was it specifically made to fit a G-body car? I guess the Sanden compressor was part of the A/C installation package?

Yes.

http://buickgn.com/ACcowlpanel.htm

I bought the Sanden compressor separately. No kit, I just pieced everything together. And since it's an Olds engine, I had to make my own mount.

 

[Doober]

Kind of makes you wonder who makes it... I knew it was available a couple places, first place I found it was G-Body Parts.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info. ... f9c5b0788c