Positioning Vintage Air system - need help

[rgunlock]

Hi, I'm hoping that someone who has installed Vintage Air in a 73-87 can help me out. I've already shaved my firewall so have no reference holes to mount the under dash unit. I've got the block-off plate to mark the mounting holes, but I'm not sure where to position the plate in the first place. Does the placement in my picture look right?

If someone has the plate mounted and can post a picture, that would help. I've searched and looked through 12-15 threads but can't find one that shows this block-off plate.

Also, if you've done Vintage Air on a shaved firewall without drilling holes, I'd appreciate a description of how you mounted the under dash unit. I'd prefer that than running the bolts through the firewall.

Thanks in advance for your help

[J Knight]

Here is a pic of a vintage air plate. I got it from this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=433689&page=9

[xole]

Here is mine if it helps.

[rgunlock]

Thanks John and xole! That does help a lot. Looks like mine needs to go down and right so the curved edge lines up with the edge of the hollow space in the firewall. I thought it was odd that the block off plate laid across the edges where the sheet metal overlaps, but it does on yours as well.

[xole]

The plate is designed for some of the holes to match up with the mounting bracket for the unit under the dash (which also aligns the lines for the refrigerant). Beware...on mine they sent the wrong bracket for the dash unit and I spent a day frustrated at it looking cross eyed trying to get it to line up.

You might want to call them, I would bet they have a generic bracket for a flush mount install.

If I remember correctly there were also some stand off spacers as well.

[rgunlock]

I mentioned that my firewall was shaved when I talked to VA while ordering the system. Guy mentioned using the block off plate as a template, but never mentioned any alternatives for mounting brackets.

The instructions make it pretty clear which holes in the block off plate are used for mounting the under-dash unit, so no problem there. Just needed to know where to position the plate so I could mark those holes, although I'm still pondering how to avoid drilling.

Thanks again for the help.

[boatpuller]

Here'a a pic of mine after I did it. The best one i could find of that plate but you can't see it all.

[Robert8096]

Hope this helps.

Before, used the upper right original AC box stud hole to mount the VA inside air box. Had to drill the lower mount hole.



During


Finished


I welded two studs on the VA bracket and then used acorn nuts to secure it to the firewall. Make the holes in the firewall larger than the studs because you have to make sure the inside box sits level for and aft so it will drain correctly.




Under Dash