Firewall holes for Vintage Air

[elf w/capital T]

I havent purchased the kit yet for my 68, but I smoothed my firewall and I want to prepare the holes now, before i paint it... anyone know which size holes I'll need for the grommets?? I'm not using the plastic cover thing if you are lost.


any help would be appreciated!

[magicoolbus]

Smooth firewalls seem to look best with the bulkhead fittings available in lots of places. Here is the one that VA has in their catalog.

[elf w/capital T]

Thanks! but I was thinking about going with a bulkhead type fitting, but would it be possible to just use the "stock" equipment?

[cafetony]

I'm installing a vintage air unit right now. I also bought that square bulkhead
fitting but decided not to use it and go with the stock vertical unit, that came
with my unit. The problem using the bulkhead unit is that you will have to make all new line inside and not that it's that big of a deal but I like the hard lines that came with the unit.
I'll send a few tomorrow with the holes cut out.


Here is a pic of what i'm about to cut

[Zukowner]

Originally Posted by cafetony

I'm installing a vintage air unit right now. I also bought that square bulkhead
fitting but decided not to use it and go with the stock vertical unit, that came
with my unit. The problem using the bulkhead unit is that you will have to make all new line inside and not that it's that big of a deal but I like the hard lines that came with the unit.
I'll send a few tomorrow with the holes cut out.


Here is a pic of what i'm about to cut
Attachment 1209337

Where did you get that square grommet for the fuse box hole? Or is that the factory plug?

[cafetony]

new wiring harness. you have to cut the old hole out a hair but it fit perfect
when its done.

[elf w/capital T]

Tony, Thanks man, how do you convert from the unit to the new lines under the dash?

[cafetony]

well if you use the stock set up everything you need comes with it.
If you end up going with a block style you would have to make your own soft lines with AN fittings or custom hard lines.

[elf w/capital T]

awesome, thanks! ...but....anyone know which size holes I'll need for the grommets??

[magicoolbus]

Download the instruction sheet from VA website. The templates are in the manuals.

[elf w/capital T]

I did, only cout out sheets they have are the front dash pieces, I sent them an email. lets see what they got......?


I was just hoping somone had one laying around and could measure them, but no biggy.


Thanks magicoolbus

[Z10]

The V/A firewall block off plate is actually steel not plastic. Here's a pic of mine. More pics on my build thread.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Z10

The V/A firewall block off plate is actually steel not plastic. Here's a pic of mine. More pics on my build thread.

That's good to know. The one on my C10 was plastic (that was 2006), but I noticed the firewall position/plates on the newer kits are different. I recently installed a new kit in my 65 mustang, but they don't need a block off plate. Mustangs used that big goofy under dash center unit so the firewall only had two holes for the heater core (the factory A/C lines are on the driver's side).

[Z10]

Originally Posted by Z10

The V/A firewall block off plate is actually steel not plastic. Here's a pic of mine. More pics on my build thread.

Here's a better pic before I painted it to match my firewall.

[elf w/capital T]

oh neat, my mistake. thanks for the update.

[screaminchevypickup]

If you will pm your address I would be more than happy to send you a template...

Kyle

[elf w/capital T]

Tony, thanks, cut the old hole? Niiiicceee paint...what color is that?

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by elf w/capital T

I havent purchased the kit yet for my 68, but I smoothed my firewall and I want to prepare the holes now, before i paint it... anyone know which size holes I'll need for the grommets?? I'm not using the plastic cover thing if you are lost.


any help would be appreciated!

I used the vertical arrangement of fittings to make routing the lines up the inside of the fender easier.
In the photo he small line is 6 AN or 9/16 - 18 and the large ones are 8 AN or 3/4-16. You'll need a step drill to get the next size up for clearance for the threads which are the same on both sides of the bulkhead fitting I used..

[elf w/capital T]

thanks guys! NIICCEE Fitz!

[9teen69]

The VA kit is awesome but doesn't provide grommets for the lower two lines. I just measured them and purchased two grommets from Lowes. Sorry I don't remember the diameter.

[screaminchevypickup]

The reason the bottom two holes do not have grommets is so the heater hoses can slide into the firewall and seal off the openings.. Which also allows for the heater hose clamps to be put inside the cab for a cleaner look.

[9teen69]

Aww grasshopper!

[Hart_Rod]

Old thread, but here's what I did...

[lux]

Hart Rod, That looks like what I would like to do. Can you explain how you made the connections from the A/C unit to the bulk head? I have a Vintage Air Gen 4 surefit and a inline Vintage Air bulk head plate. I thought I would have to discard the kit hard lines and make my own soft lines for in the cab between the bak head and A/C unit.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by lux

Hart Rod, That looks like what I would like to do. Can you explain how you made the connections from the A/C unit to the bulk head? I have a Vintage Air Gen 4 surefit and a inline Vintage Air bulk head plate. I thought I would have to discard the kit hard lines and make my own soft lines for in the cab between the bak head and A/C unit.

I used 4 bulkhead fittings and had them "welded" to the hard lines that came with my VA Sure-Fit kit. I also made my own bulkhead plate as I couldn't get the Vintage air one to work with the new lines.