Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gringoloco · 11-30-2005, 05:55 AM

I know the center vent is relatively straight forward, what about the two outer circular vents? Seems easier to me to retrofit the existing dash as opposed to replacing the entire thing. Is my logic flawed here?

1969 C/K CST · 11-30-2005, 09:40 AM

Aren't there kits for the outer ball vents?

shifty · 11-30-2005, 10:40 AM

There are kits out there for the ball vents - wouldn't doubt if they come with a template to show you where it should be installed. Go to a store and rent some Greenlee knockout punches for the vent hole - once you have your center position marked, drill it with a 3/8 drill bit or whatever the Greenlee punch requires, then insert the punch and crank it down, it will cut a perfect circle for you.

sneakysnake · 11-30-2005, 11:26 AM

If you are using "factory" vents, the holes are "tear" shaped not round,and with the location jig and other saws have a hard time getting to it, a dremmel might be your best bet.you might look into aftermarket vents. I swapped the whole dash on mine.

Bob Moore · 11-30-2005, 01:54 PM

The vents are round and the hole is round as well. It looks funny because it is on an uneven surface. I am not sure about the punches working on the "non flat surface." Never tried that but it might work. A template and a Dremel should work fine.

Good luck - Bob

justascatch · 11-30-2005, 02:14 PM

Factory A/C dash $ 100. with radio holes not molested, ash tray and glove box door included. I always have a few...

**StingRay** · 11-30-2005, 02:21 PM

If you have access to an A/C dash just use a bit of fiberglass to make a thin splash coat over your existing dash in the vent locations. Use a release agent though! Take the splashes and overlay them on the A/C dash and trace the holes onto the splash. Cut them out and overlay on your dash. Mark and cut. Nibblers and air saws are good for this kind of cutting and of course a Dremel tool. If done well it will be difficult for anybody to tell the difference.

**FleetsidePaul** · 11-30-2005, 05:23 PM

Isn't there a difference on the firewall on a AC cab as opposed to a non-AC ???

72MARIO · 11-30-2005, 05:49 PM

Yes the fire wall is also diffierent. But if you wanted to add A/C vents to a heat only truck it would work.

Whenn I get some spair money I will be doing that to my 67.

**john** · 11-30-2005, 05:55 PM

Here is what the cutouts look like. John

BigMike · 11-30-2005, 06:12 PM

You can look on ebay as well...I have seen several A/C dash's on there AFTER I had already bought a POS one from a board member. Most of them I have seen are for right at $50 + shipping. If you get an A/C dash, they are not too difficult to replace.

Mike

sneakysnake · 12-01-2005, 12:03 AM

Heres a template I made, the "fingers" rest against the door and the bottom curve of the dash.Pm me and Id be glad to send them to you or anyone else.

gringoloco · 12-01-2005, 07:23 AM

Great info here guys. I was kinda lookin' to use factory vents without having to paint inside again. I think the templates will get me close.

sneakysnake · 12-01-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Isn't there a difference on the firewall on a AC cab as opposed to a non-AC ???

Yes!

11-30-2005, 05:55 AM	#1
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? I know the center vent is relatively straight forward, what about the two outer circular vents? Seems easier to me to retrofit the existing dash as opposed to replacing the entire thing. Is my logic flawed here? __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

11-30-2005, 09:40 AM	#2
1969 C/K CST A.K.A- Crummy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC foothills Posts: 3,025	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Aren't there kits for the outer ball vents? __________________ 2003 Silverado Z71 Are fishermen all liars?

11-30-2005, 10:40 AM	#3
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? There are kits out there for the ball vents - wouldn't doubt if they come with a template to show you where it should be installed. Go to a store and rent some Greenlee knockout punches for the vent hole - once you have your center position marked, drill it with a 3/8 drill bit or whatever the Greenlee punch requires, then insert the punch and crank it down, it will cut a perfect circle for you. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

11-30-2005, 11:26 AM	#4
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? If you are using "factory" vents, the holes are "tear" shaped not round,and with the location jig and other saws have a hard time getting to it, a dremmel might be your best bet.you might look into aftermarket vents. I swapped the whole dash on mine.

11-30-2005, 01:54 PM	#5
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? The vents are round and the hole is round as well. It looks funny because it is on an uneven surface. I am not sure about the punches working on the "non flat surface." Never tried that but it might work. A template and a Dremel should work fine. Good luck - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

11-30-2005, 02:14 PM	#6
justascatch Justascratch Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 160	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Factory A/C dash $ 100. with radio holes not molested, ash tray and glove box door included. I always have a few... __________________ justascratch-OKC,OK

11-30-2005, 02:21 PM	#7
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,485	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? If you have access to an A/C dash just use a bit of fiberglass to make a thin splash coat over your existing dash in the vent locations. Use a release agent though! Take the splashes and overlay them on the A/C dash and trace the holes onto the splash. Cut them out and overlay on your dash. Mark and cut. Nibblers and air saws are good for this kind of cutting and of course a Dremel tool. If done well it will be difficult for anybody to tell the difference. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

11-30-2005, 05:23 PM	#8
FleetsidePaul R.I.P. E.S.L.L. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kernville CA./ Lake Isabella CA. Posts: 11,418	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Isn't there a difference on the firewall on a AC cab as opposed to a non-AC ??? __________________ 1971 Custom C/20 1970 CST 20 1970 C/30 Flatbed 1983 C/30 Dually 2015 Corvette Z51 2021 Corvette Z51 1991 Cadillac Hearse 1982 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 2000 Porsche Boxster S 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1973 VW Thing 1973 Plymouth Satellite wagon 1963 Baja Bug 1959 Bug Dune Buggy 1970 Baja Bug 1987 Jaguar XJ 350. R.I.P. El Jay R.I.P Jessie. R.I.P Grumpy. Every day is a gift from God.

11-30-2005, 05:49 PM	#9
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Yes the fire wall is also diffierent. But if you wanted to add A/C vents to a heat only truck it would work. Whenn I get some spair money I will be doing that to my 67. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-30-2005, 05:55 PM	#10
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Here is what the cutouts look like. John Attached Images __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

11-30-2005, 06:12 PM	#11
BigMike Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita - SoCal Posts: 1,432	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? You can look on ebay as well...I have seen several A/C dash's on there AFTER I had already bought a POS one from a board member. Most of them I have seen are for right at $50 + shipping. If you get an A/C dash, they are not too difficult to replace. Mike __________________ Mike My 69 SWB Project Father/Son 72 Nova Project My Airbrushed RC Car Bodies

12-01-2005, 12:03 AM	#12
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Heres a template I made, the "fingers" rest against the door and the bottom curve of the dash.Pm me and Id be glad to send them to you or anyone else. Attached Images

12-01-2005, 07:23 AM	#13
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Re: Factory A/C vents in non-A/C dash? Great info here guys. I was kinda lookin' to use factory vents without having to paint inside again. I think the templates will get me close. __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

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