1966 C1434 SWB Custom Cab

[CustomCab66]

Cleaned the contacts of the switch with some DeoxIT and the contacts of the switch read open when pushed to the off position, and they read 0.0 ohms when on so clean bill of health. Now if the thermo element inside still works i'll be in business.

Update: checked the termo switch by putting the tube in the freezer and setting switch between off and full blast cold. i closed the freezer and and the switch clicked about 30 seconds after i closed the freezer door. i removed the tube from the freezer and about 30 seconds it clicked again. so that function check is good.

[CustomCab66]

Top cover to evaporator box cleaned up and in etching primer and then splashed some semigloss Rustoleum black on it. There is some pitting on the lid where the rust was real thick near the center and the edges. It looks fine for what it is. didn't feel like using a spot filler to make it a black mirror. With the semi gloss you cant realy tell unless you look real close. Under the dash non is the wiser.

[CustomCab66]

Slow assembly

[CustomCab66]

I've been working on the evaporator box and i found a crack where the box mounts to the firewall. The square hole is where the air from the blower comes in. The hole had a crack on the top left corner. I took some Lexan and some epoxy and braced the area around the hole. It is at least twice as thick now and i cut the access plastic of and cleaned it up real good.

The gasket where the box mounts to the fire wall is the same one on the heater duct on the non A/C trucks. It is a little small so I made a template on photoshop. I've ordered some 3/16 and 5/16 thick ultra soft open cell foam from McMaster Carr for this build. The top of the evaporator box has a thin foam like 1/16 thick glued to the underside of the cover. haven't found a suitable replacement for that yet.

[CustomCab66]

Riverstory found a Heater assembly for an A/C truck. going to start cleaning it up and replacing all the foam seals and gaskets. I have an assortment of different thickness foam rubber to use. Look close at the air recirculation door its was bent pretty bad. That will need to be corrected. all the gaskets and seals are toast for the air door also

[CustomCab66]

cut all news seals and gaskets by hand. this stuff wears out razor blades quick. Picked up a good X-acto knife works pretty good. I use gasket hole punches any where the gasket has a radius like on the big gasket on top where the box bolts to the cowl. all the part collecting on the paint bench. to save time I will use the top of my current deluxt heater box because I already freshened it up.

[CustomCab66]

These are out of order but some other progress photos.

[CustomCab66]

Evaporator box is coming together very nicely. the seals are all hand cut out of foam rubber. Missing the tension spring for the air door, but it should be real easy to make a new one.

[CustomCab66]

Yesterday we picked up a parts truck with factory A/C even has the ashtray, front swaybar, and Posi-Trac differential (NOT SURE ABOUT RATIO). A/C parts are in nice shape so these will go on my dads farm truck build.


This truck has Factory 544 Red and ivory two tone C1454 long bed truck
283 v8 Powerglide combo

RPO codes

G60BC 4 SEASONS AIR COND
G80AA POSITRACTION
L32BC 283 CU. IN. V-8 ENG
G50BA HEAVY REAR SPRINGS
Z53BB AMMETER-OIL GAUGE
A11BA TINTED GLASS
U60BA MANUAL RADIO ( no pushbutton radios for A/C trucks)
B98BA SIDE TRIM MOLDING
M35GH POWERGLIDE TRANS
Z52AA FOAM SEAT
F59AA FRONT STABILIZER
G60BA AUXILIARY REAR SPRINGS

[CustomCab66]

Now that i got this out of the way, lets have a look at my A/C dash bezel. I cleaned it up real good and replaced the vent balls with nice factory ones.

[CustomCab66]

working on the firewall. GM conveniently left several punch marks where the recirculation door hole is located. I used a Q bit (.330) hair bigger that a 5/16 and i drilled each of the corners. used masking tape to mark the border. Test fit the heater box and finished the hole up with a file. The hole looks crooked but its not its just an illusion. Remember the pinch weld on the top of the firewall is an arc so its not flat. Everything lined up pretty easy. Evaporator box installed and tomorrow will cut the dash to accept the bezel. First time I will have ever cut a dash. I swore an oath to never cut a dash for a radio. I guess for factory air its fine.

[cwcarpenter98]

Nice progress! The parts truck looks good enough from the pictures to be put back on the road

[CustomCab66]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Nice progress! The parts truck looks good enough from the pictures to be put back on the road

There are rust holes around the windshield up near the rear view mirror, and rust in all the usual places there was no title with the truck and Texas requires a title. It was born with one I’m sure but it’s lost. I used to be able to apply for a certified copy but now they are requiring the buyer and the current title down to be present during title transfers. If the cab was in better shape we might have to save it, but we can find better trucks down here in texas.
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[CustomCab66]

Well spent the half a day cutting the dash to accept the ac vent. Looking super clean so far
Posted via Mobile Device

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by CustomCab66

There are rust holes around the windshield up near the rear view mirror, and rust in all the usual places there was no title with the truck and Texas requires a title. It was born with one I’m sure but it’s lost. I used to be able to apply for a certified copy but now they are requiring the buyer and the current title down to be present during title transfers. If the cab was in better shape we might have to save it, but we can find better trucks down here in texas.
Posted via Mobile Device

I totally understand that, thanks for the explanation! Your dash trimming looks great!

[88Stanger]

ok now that is beautiful!! nice work sir!!

[CustomCab66]

Factory Air install is done for now. Still need the parts under the hood so stay tuned.

[CustomCab66]

Rear under bed fuel tank in the works today. Hope to have it back together today. Going with AN 6 line for feed and return