A/C condenser and dust boot?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

As much as I'd like to (not really) pull the radiator off my driver to see the condenser hardware, I probably won't...............Reading page 515 of the assembly manual, it looks like they're using shims at the bottom. At a glance, and by positioning the condenser on the truck I am working on, the surface of the holes in the core support are flush or mostly, so why shims? If shims were used, and I suppose they were, does anyone know the depth?

Also, someone gave me "the hardware" to mount the condenser. Two hex head tapered bolts with flare washers........and two hex flare head bolts, washers and nuts. Sure they'll work, but does anyone happen to know what hardware was used from factory?

And finally, dust boot at the connection between the drier tube and lower condenser huh? Neat.

See pics. Thank you.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Based on the responses so far, it's my understanding the dust boot & hardware are frivolous

[Stocker]

My dust boot appears to be in about the same condition as yours. You'd think after only 45 years in the elements, they would be in better condition!

Didn't see any tapered bolts, flare head bolts, or flare washers on my truck. Just standard hex head bolts & nuts with flat washers.

[engineer_gregh]

Hopefully pulling my original condenser off this weekend. If the dust boots are there I'll take pictures.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Stocker

My dust boot appears to be in about the same condition as yours. You'd think after only 45 years in the elements, they would be in better condition!

Didn't see any tapered bolts, flare head bolts, or flare washers on my truck. Just standard hex head bolts & nuts with flat washers.

Thanks Stocker.

These dust boots are super thin. I pulled my A/C in 1993 and packed everything away. Only the dust boot sucks, I mean blows.

Originally Posted by engineer_gregh

Hopefully pulling my original condenser off this weekend. If the dust boots are there I'll take pictures.

Thanks Engineer. No big, I'm just curious is all. At a glance, these aren't available new. Probably cuz they're worthless. I'm mostly curious whether or not yours has shims, like the first image above.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I'm mostly curious whether or not yours has shims, like the first image above.

I'll try to crawl under and look for shims tomorrow.

[FirstOwner69]

My truck had the boots too. I don't think I ever noticed them for probably 10 years and never figured out what purpose they served. They were always just kind of "hanging out". They are gone now and I don't miss them.

Mine never had any shims.

Did I mention that I'm not going to tear mine apart to document the original hardware. I will take a look though.

EDIT: OK, I just looked. There are no shims and there are 4 bolts with captured washers (probably 3/4" long by 5/16") just like those used for the inner fenders and many other places. Mine have the heads to the front, not like the assembly manual shows. That's the way they were originally (see picture below from pre-teardown). My hardware is 100% original.

And... a picture where one of the "boots" is visible on the tube coming out of the condenser below the receiver drier.... ignore the transmission cooler). I know you are an originality nut. So, take a look at the little plastic cap over the sight glass on the receiver drier. That was there since new, and I've also seen them on other trucks in the junkyard.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I'll try to crawl under and look for shims tomorrow.

Don't do that on my account, thank you. I figured if you were pulling the condenser then.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

My truck had the boots too. I don't think I ever noticed them for probably 10 years and never figured out what purpose they served. They were always just kind of "hanging out". They are gone now and I don't miss them.

Mine never had any shims.

Did I mention that I'm not going to tear mine apart to document the original hardware. I will take a look though.

EDIT: OK I just looked. There are no shims and there are 4 bolts with captured washers (probably 3/4" long by 5/16") just like those used for the inner fenders and many other places. Mine have the heads to the front, not like the assembly manual shows. That's the way they were originally (see picture below from pre-teardown). My hardware is 100% original.

And... a picture where one of the "boots" is visible on the tube coming out of the condenser below the receiver drier.... ignore the transmission cooler).

Ha ha ha! @ bolded. Well, can't beat that with a stick. Shims & boot are worthless, mount bolts for a "finished" look. Judging by my 72, the condenser is mounted just like yours.

Thanks for the responses.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Ha ha ha! @ bolded. Well, can't beat that with a stick. Shims & boot are worthless. Judging by my 72, the condenser is mounted just like yours.

Thanks for the responses.

Note that I made an addition to that post that you'll like!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Note that I made an addition to that post that you'll like!

I feel like I've seen those caps before, and now I need one.....just kidding. Your truck is a great example for what came off the line.

Two boots? Is that one at the top of the condenser?

Which side is the inlet, bottom?