Heater Boxes and Trucks with A/C

[4gearchev]

Hi there guys,
I'm taking my 72 C10 apart so I can repaint the firewall and frame. It is a factory air conditioned truck. When I got the truck a couple years ago most of the parts for the ac were either missing, cut, or broken, so my plan was to put a regular heater box in its place. Looking at another cab that was taken apart, I noticed that the holes stamped in the sheet metal are different on the factory ac trucks. I have a junk heater box lying around and I lined it up to find it is not remotely close to fitting properly. I'm just wondering if anyone ever encountered this problem, and how they solved it without cutting original sheet metal.
What I'm thinking now is that I'll just have to bite the bullit and restore the factory ac or possibly just remove the guts from the ac box. Vintage Air is a little out of the price range.
In the pictures the blue cab is the one with factory heat, and my truck is the orange one.
Any input is appreciated!
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[Boog]

I would guess being in mass you probably won't be driving the truck in winter so you could do without the heater for a while. You can cut a sheet metal plate to cover those openings until such time as you are ready to add heat or ac later on.

[Andy4639]

X2

If you don't want Ac are heat right now have a metal fab shop make you a cover for the opening. This way if you so decide you can always add it back later.

Me though I would put the AC in the truck and never look back. it will help the resale value too!

[4gearchev]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

X2

If you don't want Ac are heat right now have a metal fab shop make you a cover for the opening. This way if you so decide you can always add it back later.

Me though I would put the AC in the truck and never look back. it will help the resale value too!

Good points, problem is I'd like to keep at least the defroster. I'm ok without heat, the motor makes enough lol, but after battling fog going on early morning trips last summer I need it to work.
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[Boog]

Then you will have to modify the firewall holes to match your heater case.

[DD1]

Why don't you just leave the AC disconnected, and only use the heater core? You won't need to change the box, and can always install the AC at a later date?

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by DD1

Why don't you just leave the AC disconnected, and only use the heater core? You won't need to change the box, and can always install the AC at a later date?

Correct. Just put the AC box in it with a good heater core and call it good!

[4gearchev]

Originally Posted by DD1

Why don't you just leave the AC disconnected, and only use the heater core? You won't need to change the box, and can always install the AC at a later date?

Well I thought I could just put in a heat only box in under the hood because it'd look clean original and untouched. I don't know if you're familiar with the ac box but it's friggin huge. Looks like I'm going to have to use it though unfortunately.
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[4gearchev]

Thanks everyone!
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[DD1]

Originally Posted by 4gearchev

Well I thought I could just put in a heat only box in under the hood because it'd look clean original and untouched. I don't know if you're familiar with the ac box but it's friggin huge. Looks like I'm going to have to use it though unfortunately.
Posted via Mobile Device

I guess the question is whether you are looking for something quick and easy, and whether you want the option of adding the AC later on.

If you want quick and easy, keep the A/C Box and don't use AC.

If you don't plan on using AC again and don't mind if the project takes a while, then you need to modify the holes on the firewall to fit the non-a/c box. There are plenty of threads on this forum about modifying the firewall if you do search.

[un4gvn!]

Why not use the ac delete cover? You can still use the heater and defrosters but no ac. Plus you won't have that God for saken box sticking out the fire wall half way pass your engine. They actually look pretty cool. I wish there was a way to get rid of that box for us non ac trucks and still have heat and defrosters.

[Andy4639]

I think the AC box looks great on these trucks. It's what GM thought was the best system at the time they where built. Mine is still going strong after 40 years of use with a few internal upgrades.

[DD1]

Originally Posted by un4gvn!

Why not use the ac delete cover? You can still use the heater and defrosters but no ac. Plus you won't have that God for saken box sticking out the fire wall half way pass your engine. They actually look pretty cool. I wish there was a way to get rid of that box for us non ac trucks and still have heat and defrosters.

How does he delete the AC and still use the heater? Where does he put the heater core? The AC box is one unit including the heater core.
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[Bigdav160]

The inside parts remain. It just eliminates the evaporator core and box

[67 chevelle]

Make a blockoff plate or buy one , allen grove or ,vintage air , and get one of these .

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...70601/10002/-1

[un4gvn!]

Originally Posted by DD1

How does he delete the AC and still use the heater? Where does he put the heater core? The AC box is one unit including the heater core.
Posted via Mobile Device

The heater core is not in the out side box. The heater core is on the other side of the firewall inside the cab. That is how you can use the ac delete like the one in the picture. And as you can see, it doesn't stick out much.

[F.A.A.benny]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I think the AC box looks great on these trucks. It's what GM thought was the best system at the time they where built. Mine is still going strong after 40 years of use with a few internal upgrades.

I totally agree. I love the look of factory ac on these trucks. I am somewhat biased though.

[a Good Man]

My truck has no AC system and I want to remove the heating cap and install the original air conditioning system. My question is is it possible to add the air-condition box without problems?

[DD1]

Originally Posted by a Good Man

My truck has no AC system and I want to remove the heating cap and install the original air conditioning system. My question is is it possible to add the air-condition box without problems?

Can you post some pics of what you mean by the 'heating cap' and what your firewall looks like? If your truck is not an AC truck, you can add the AC system by cutting the firewall to match the AC box. Check out post #12 in this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=743375.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by a Good Man

My truck has no AC system and I want to remove the heating cap and install the original air conditioning system. My question is is it possible to add the air-condition box without problems?

My truck was a non AC truck when I bought it. I added the whole system myself. Why anybody would want to pull a factory AC unit out for heat only is crazy. You have the beast of both worlds to put half a system in it.