ac box restoration

[morgan 1972]

Hello and happy new year all

im going back and forth on my ac system. install the oem equipment or go with the vintage air sure fit system. i have watched a few vids on the vintage air sys and found out some things that are a draw back. the center vent with stock radio, there are fitment issues there. also the side vents there are fitment issues as well.
so thinking on oem equipment. is there anyone out there who does a complete system restoration so all i need to do is install? the engine bay assy has broken flange bolt areas in the plastic and the thin plate on the inside has some rot on it which would need replacing. its all in pieces right now. is there anyone who refurbishes all the pieces and assembles it to a complete unit?

tyia for any info
shaun

[dmjlambert]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I think in this particular area of the truck it may be best to restore it yourself. Here is a thread with my experience having somebody else do the work. If you send it out, make sure there is clear understanding of what is expected. It turns out I had to finish the stuff the vendor just didn't do. I suggest post pictures of what you have.
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...06#post8704506

[Already Gone]

I thnk this guy restores the original systems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ickwhdl-1Hw

[396ci]

I knew the owner of Early Classic in Fresno, Ca and when Mark restored his white/orange truck he re-did the entire stock ac system. A few years after that I had asked him if he would do it again and he said no, he would do a vintage air system.

Mark felt that the new systems were just more efficient, compact, and performed better. It still will come down to preference and likely will cost around the same either way. Just thought I would share this with you from a guy that specialized in 67-72 chevy truck parts. Best of luck on your build.

[dmjlambert]

For me the decision was clear. It came down to "do I want a glove box?" and the answer is yes, and "can I have a glove box with Vintage Air?" and the answer is no. (Yes I know there is a practical-joke-size glove box with Vintage Air, I was not interested in that at all).

[PbFut]

Having just done a ac restore, twice, I must say that I prefer the look of the bulky factory stuff. Yes it's clunky, but correctly done and calibrated for 134a performs very well. Some of the parts are becoming less available even from when I did mine before the October fire. The most difficult part for me was the engine side box. I had to sorce a used unit. It was in ok shape. Using Maguire's polish with foam rotary head really got it looking floor room fresh. Some good old rustolium satin black on the brackets. Pipes can be cleaned on outside with SOS. Relpace the evap and core. They will be full of rat piss and dust. Be sure to clean the cowl vent to blower. It will be full of leaves and rat stuff. Make sure the water holes are clear so rain does not build up and rot that area. Be careful with some of the smaller hex head screws. They thread into the fiberglass housing and can easily strip the 50 yr old fiberglass. Cables are cheap and help the action on the vent levers. Original firewall grommets (2) are impossible to find. Try to not damage. I have a metal devider if you need. They rot by the motor from rat pee. It is very easy to do. Just take your time. Rewarding when done and working proper.