Dealer Installed A/C for ’64-‘66

[VictoriaHardware]

There was a kit that the Chevrolet Dealer could order that would give them most everything required to add Air Conditioning exactly the way the factory would have installed it. It was part number 985790 and contained most of the parts for any ’64-’66 truck with the “conventional” cab and thrift or deluxe heater. It included the condenser, dryer, hoses, fan w/ motor, under-dash ducting with evaporator, controls, center duct w/ bezel, under-dash ashtray, and all hardware. The direction booklet had detailed instructions for any truck and any engine. Also were full-size templates for cutting holes in the firewall and the dash panel. The parts to mount the compressor to the engine would be ordered separately, due to the wide variation of engines available. When complete, it looked and worked exactly as if the factory had done it.

I thought I would share this for educational purposes, though it is painful to remember. Not one of my better decisions to sell. I bought it from an ad in Hemmings Motor News about 20 years ago and then sold it 5 years later when I thought I would never need it. In a brief moment of sanity, I saved a copy of the instructions before I sold it. Apparently just the pages relevant to the C10 were saved. This is invaluable to do an accurate installation. It is scanned as a 37MB .pdf file for anyone attempting to add factory air to their truck. When I figure out how to post the full instructions I will. I may have to break it up into mutiple attachments.

[l79m20]

Sounds like interesting reading. I'm sure that quite a few folks on this site will thank you for the info.

[awbrown]

Some of those printed pages came out of the building I operate out of on East Grand BLVD ...........also known as General motors blvd...

[chevyrestoguy]

Wow, what a find! That would have been awesome to have kept it around, but I completely understand. I have sold stuff thinking that I would never have a need for it, only to find out a few years later that it was a big mistake. I'm a sucker for NOS parts, especially when they're still in the original boxes with all the instructions still intact.

My '64 was one of the ones that got the dealer-installed A/C, probably using the exact same kit you had. Mine was odd. It had the A/C added to the Thrift heater, so it had no fresh air feature. Instead of having the three slide levers like the Deluxe had, it has two pull knobs. When I got the truck, it was missing everything under the hood, along with the entire evaporator assembly from under the dash. Oddly enough, it still had all the really desirable parts intact, like the center bezel, all the knobs, and the super hard to find underdash ashtray. The ashtray alone was worth more than I paid for the entire truck. I searched high and low for all the missing parts, and I'm pretty close to finishing the restoration of the parts and installing them.

[VictoriaHardware]

Well here goes. I was hoping to post a single file with all pages nicely bundled but I can't see how to do that with a 37MB .pdf file. So here are the individual pages. Enjoy-

[VictoriaHardware]

next 5-

[VictoriaHardware]

another 5-

[VictoriaHardware]

and another-

[VictoriaHardware]

almost there-

[VictoriaHardware]

And finally the templates. When printed out full scale, these can be taped on the sheet metal and lay out exactly where to cut.

[Todd W. White]

This is a WONDERFUL resource! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

3 questions:

1. I noticed that not all of the pages are present. Were they not necessary, missing, or did you, as you seem to indicate, not copy all of them?

2. Are the missing pages available, presuming they're needed?

3. What's the scale for the templates?

THANKS AGAIN!

[aerotruk63]

Thank's for sharing, another great reference.

[LT1 Burb]

Awesome information, thanks for posting it , this will be invaluable during my restoration.

[HOTFUN]

That's very interesting. I imagine this is also in the accessories installation handbook then around 1964 and later years? Looks like mid production year in early1964 you could have it dealer installed from the parts department and they were a production option for 1965 model year. I didn't know that. All my GM truck data ordering books don't list it as an option till the 1965 year. Very great information and documentation. Thanks for posting.

[64fleetside]

It was available either way in '64, but the early dealer-installed kits had recirculated air only, they only used two added knobs. This type setup is outlined in the '64 dealer accessories installation book. Factory air used the recirc feature. By 65 both setups were the same.

[Realnoisy]

Thank you so much!

[60-66]

Excellent information VictoriaHardware, was there by chance a "parts list" sheet in there with all the part numbers ? It would help for the pulleys. Jon

[VictoriaHardware]

There was but I didn't make a copy

[VictoriaHardware]

I noticed that not all of the pages are present. Were they not necessary, missing, or did you, as you seem to indicate, not copy all of them?

2. Are the missing pages available, presuming they're needed?

3. What's the scale for the templates?

1- They weren't copied because they weren't relevant to a C10 with V8
2- No
3- 1:1 . When you print them out you will see that existing holes/studs/center punched features on the sheet metal will line up.

[Snowbound]

It would be so cool if This whole kit could be reproduced! If pricing was similar to Old Air or Vintage Air, it would be a great option for those wanting to add factory AC.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Todd W. White]

Originally Posted by VictoriaHardware

1- They weren't copied because they weren't relevant to a C10 with V8
2- No
3- 1:1 . When you print them out you will see that existing holes/studs/center punched features on the sheet metal will line up.

Thanks for the info!

One problem - I tried printing the templates and they just don't look right: They're way too small. What size paper are you using? If there was a scale reference, like on architectural drawings, that would be perfect.

[MalibuKasey]

WOW. THAT is awesome! Thanks for sharing!!

[Todd W. White]

Bump

[Todd W. White]

VictoriaHardware - when you get time, let me know about the scaling issue with the templates.

THANKS!

[Todd W. White]

BUMP.