TnBlkC230WZ
09-28-2008, 08:13 PM
I've also posted this on StevesNovaSite, but I thought this would be useful members here too. Most of this will apply to first gen Camaros as well. It is long, but I tried to post as much detail as possible. I've got most of it in except for the vents. I'll update on those later. I would also like to thank Frank at Prodigy Customs for his advise.
I've split it up into multiple posts to get all the pics in.
I decided on the Vintage Air Gen IV perfect fit system for a 69 Camaro. I went this route because it is cheaper to buy the kits than it is to buy the individual parts. Frank at Prodigy Customs set me up with the complete kit. He ordered it with the right side compressor option to match my compressor location (69 Camaro’s have a left side mounted compressor).
I received the kit in two large boxes. Everything was packaged well and all the small parts were bagged, tagged and inventoried. The only thing that seemed out of place was a 5/16 washer lying loose in the box.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1623-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1625-1.jpg
There were three instruction books for different parts of the system. One a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = more harm than good; 10 = an untrained idiot could follow it), I’d rate the evaporator instructions at 8, condenser instructions at 9 and the control switch at 10. These are some of the best instructions I’ve seen. The kit is sell documented and illustrated. I can’t stress enough to read the instructions start to finish before beginning the installation.
What have I bought complete the installation?
¼ * ½ inch long bolts, Black oxide finish to match fire wall, Qty 4
5/16 * ½ inch black oxide bolts, Qty 1
¼ * 1 inch bolts Black oxide finish, Qty 2 (Optional)
¼ in nuts, Qty 4 (optional)
½ inch tubing clamps, Qty 2 (Optional)
3/8 inch tubing clamp (Optional)
3M Strip Caulk
-6 adapter for Pressure/safety switch fitting (source from VA)
Evaporator install:
I will only comment on observations where I deviated from the instructions or adjusted the fit. For the most part the evaporator installs as per the instructions. The supplied firewall block of plate is made of heavy gauge steel and has nuts pressed into it to make installation easy. However, I did have to trim off the lower right corner of it so I could use the existing firewall hole to pass wiring through. I also used strip caulk to seal it instead of silicone as recommend. I like strip caulk. Make sure you have box on hand.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1627-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1628-1.jpg
The instructions have a template for drilling holes through the cowl. The 69 Camaro template is accurate for the 3rd gen Novas. I was surprised, but it was spot on. The kit gives #14 screws that protrude through the cowl near the wiper linkage. The instructions say to drill 3/16 holes, I drilled ¼ inch holes and use the ¼ by 1 inch bolts instead. I lined the bolt heads with strip caulk to seal them. The longer bolts give you a mounting point for wire harnesses or relays later. The AC bracket already has ¼ inch holes. Install the brackets to the evaporator and mount it in the car using the supplied firewall bolt and the ¼ * 1 inch bolts (or #14 screws) per the instructions
Template taped in place.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1629-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/FSCN1630-1.jpg
#14 screw protruding through.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1631-1.jpg
Bolt with strip caulk
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1633-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1634-1.jpg
Evaporator installed
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1635-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1637-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1636-1.jpg
I've split it up into multiple posts to get all the pics in.
I decided on the Vintage Air Gen IV perfect fit system for a 69 Camaro. I went this route because it is cheaper to buy the kits than it is to buy the individual parts. Frank at Prodigy Customs set me up with the complete kit. He ordered it with the right side compressor option to match my compressor location (69 Camaro’s have a left side mounted compressor).
I received the kit in two large boxes. Everything was packaged well and all the small parts were bagged, tagged and inventoried. The only thing that seemed out of place was a 5/16 washer lying loose in the box.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1623-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1625-1.jpg
There were three instruction books for different parts of the system. One a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = more harm than good; 10 = an untrained idiot could follow it), I’d rate the evaporator instructions at 8, condenser instructions at 9 and the control switch at 10. These are some of the best instructions I’ve seen. The kit is sell documented and illustrated. I can’t stress enough to read the instructions start to finish before beginning the installation.
What have I bought complete the installation?
¼ * ½ inch long bolts, Black oxide finish to match fire wall, Qty 4
5/16 * ½ inch black oxide bolts, Qty 1
¼ * 1 inch bolts Black oxide finish, Qty 2 (Optional)
¼ in nuts, Qty 4 (optional)
½ inch tubing clamps, Qty 2 (Optional)
3/8 inch tubing clamp (Optional)
3M Strip Caulk
-6 adapter for Pressure/safety switch fitting (source from VA)
Evaporator install:
I will only comment on observations where I deviated from the instructions or adjusted the fit. For the most part the evaporator installs as per the instructions. The supplied firewall block of plate is made of heavy gauge steel and has nuts pressed into it to make installation easy. However, I did have to trim off the lower right corner of it so I could use the existing firewall hole to pass wiring through. I also used strip caulk to seal it instead of silicone as recommend. I like strip caulk. Make sure you have box on hand.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1627-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1628-1.jpg
The instructions have a template for drilling holes through the cowl. The 69 Camaro template is accurate for the 3rd gen Novas. I was surprised, but it was spot on. The kit gives #14 screws that protrude through the cowl near the wiper linkage. The instructions say to drill 3/16 holes, I drilled ¼ inch holes and use the ¼ by 1 inch bolts instead. I lined the bolt heads with strip caulk to seal them. The longer bolts give you a mounting point for wire harnesses or relays later. The AC bracket already has ¼ inch holes. Install the brackets to the evaporator and mount it in the car using the supplied firewall bolt and the ¼ * 1 inch bolts (or #14 screws) per the instructions
Template taped in place.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1629-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/FSCN1630-1.jpg
#14 screw protruding through.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1631-1.jpg
Bolt with strip caulk
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1633-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1634-1.jpg
Evaporator installed
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1635-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1637-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSCN1636-1.jpg