punch holes in dash for A/C?

[mvpco]

HI All!

Any Ideas on cutting, punching the 2 round,oval holes and rectangle hole in the dash when adding/installing the A/C vents?

thought I would ask before I tackle it.

The Air is working good, now just need to finish the vents. This is the factory setup I took off a 72 with A/C and adding it to a 72 without a/c.


I made the templates from an orig. dash, I marked them on my dash, now just need to cut, punch them out.

Jeff Smith
Pensacola, FL

[john]

I used a die grinder with a cutoff wheel and dremel tool to cut the center vent and then a hole saw and a rotary file in die grinder for side vents. Took about 20 min. per hole. Tape around the holes with masking tape to keep from chipping paint. Also there isnt too much leeway on the side vents for width. Check often when close to size. John

[71RestoRod]

If you have the templates to work from than that's half the battle. I basically eyeballed it... taped it, penciled the outline and used a body saw to cut them out. It easily turned the curve for the outside vent holes. The side holes appear to be oval, but they're actually a circle if you look at them straight on. I drilled four holes to radius the corners of the center vent and then a few more to get the body saw started. Used a die grinder and hand file to finish them up. John is right... tape it up to avoid chipping, test fit often and remember you can always make them bigger if you have to.

[68C15]

what they said except when done send me the templates

[724wdcopper]

Originally Posted by 68C15

what they said except when done send me the templates

seriously, if you could make those available to others, that would be so killer! i'd like a set, too. any access to a photo copier? i'd give you money for a stamp!

[cwilkie]

That would be great if you had some templates to distribute. I need to get the A/C holes cut before it goes to paint. Just to make sure "ever stuff" works.

Chance

[72GMC51]

I have the templates from old air products will post when I get home from work.
JC

[cwilkie]

Great!! When they are posted are they going to be to correct size? Thanks!!!!


Chance

[Blue85]

mvpco, Did you use a factory A/C Box? If you did, how did you make the firewal work, in respect to the different hole sizes and locations?

[panhandler62]

I recently saw a number of ac dashes for sale (cheap) on the parts board. That miight be a way to go also.

[55454]

The easiest way without cutting up another dash for templates which I have done, cargo light also ( STP has the templates they go back and fourth between us) is take masking tape go over the hole on an a/c dash cut the middle out and put it on the other dash and mark it. Someone, someone knows has to have an a/c dash. If not pm me and I will cut a pattern and sent it on saran wrap. Postage due of course.

Tommy

[sleepyboy]

I used a hole saw, cut one size smaller than actual hole needed, then dremeled it to size. Tape is a must, along with checking often..

[cwilkie]

What is a whole saw? Is it that cylinder which was around the perimeter of the cylinder?

Chance

[sleepyboy]

Originally Posted by cwilkie

What is a whole saw? Is it that cylinder which was around the perimeter of the cylinder?

Chance

A hole saw has a drill bit in the center with a metal cylinder that surrounds it. The drill bit keeps your center bore. It is used for a variety of applications, like sawing holes for locks in wooden doors, etc. Home depot/Lowes, around $25. I don't exactly remember, bot you need 2 1/8 or 2 1/4??

[mvpco]

HI All!

I ordered a complete duct hose A/C & defroster set and all fits fine except for the 2 that go to the 2 side A/C vents. Just to damn small(hose/duct) I measure about 2 3/4 inches and the duct that comes with the kit is just over 2 1/2 inches. any ideas on this or where to get the correct hoses/ducts for the A/C vents?


Jeff Smith
Pensacola, FL
850-475-5030

[tom1000]

That's what I did. I used a rotary file for my cordless drill.
Work slowly so you don't cut too much. The holes don't have to be perfect just enough to insert the AC grilles.

[Hart_Rod]

Hey Jeff,

Where do you hang out? I'm up in Pace, got a 69 Suburban I "playing" with.

Rob

[mvpco]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rob

Hey Jeff,

Where do you hang out? I'm up in Pace, got a 69 Suburban I "playing" with.

Rob

Great!
I am off Olive Road, between 9th Ave and davis Hwy.
3519 Gatewood Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514

475-5030
324-1713 Cell

if you want to look it up on Yahoo Maps or Map quest.


I have some extra stuff (power steering pumps, radio etc) if you need

Do you have A/C in yours?? I would like to look at it!!!!!1


Jeff

[mvpco]

HI All!


Ok.... I tried to hook up the damn duct/hose to the side vents and just about /8 to 1/4 to small (I odered a set off Ebay some time ago).

Question: is there a special type duck for the left and right side vents on the dash? and who has them and phone number and part number please.

They set I bought are just like the defrost hose but alittle bigger.
I tried locally but only sizes are 2 1/2 and 3 inch, I measured miy vent where it hooks up and it is 2 3/4 inch doh!!!!


Jeff Smith
Pensacola, FL

[farside847]

That looks like a nice spot to hide some speakers actually, Hmmmmmmm.

[/<eystroke]

Here is my copy of the ac vent templates.

[2low72]

That looks like a nice spot to hide some speakers actually, Hmmmmmmm.

Yep!!

[mvpco]

Here are a few pics of the A/C Dash holes cut out this weekend. took about 30 minutes each hole. I used the Black & Decker Rotory tool and about 15 cutting disks. Worked real well if you go real slow.....

Now I just need the correct duct hose for side vents. The ones I purchased were about 1/4 inch to small...any ideas???

I also made some templates from the cut out peice for furture use.

Jeff Smith
http://www.mvpc.com/1972chevy.htm

[john]

Jeff http://www.oldairproducts.com/shop/index.php has adapters to fit the side vent hoses. Ask for the ones made to fit 67-72 chev vents that come in their installation kits. John

[mvpco]

Thanks John! will do


Jeff