fixing factory AC roof tunnel cracks - help

[66mustangguy]

I just bought a 71 with the factory plastic roof AC tunnel in it. I see that at every place where it bolts up to the ceiling it is cracked. what is the best way to restore / fix it before it falls down.

thanks!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 66mustangguy

I just bought a 71 with the factory plastic roof AC tunnel in it. I see that at every place where it bolts up to the ceiling it is cracked. what is the best way to restore / fix it before it falls down.

thanks!

I have one too. If it is like mine I'm not sure it can be fixed successfully. That thing is so brittle it cracks when you try and pick it up.... I may try to make a new one.

LockDoc

[66mustangguy]

Thanks LockDoc. I was toying with the idea out in the future doing something in aluminum, but I have a lot of work on it to get to the fun stuff!! :-) The guy I bought it from said something about fiber glassing it, but it looks like plastic and I dont think they play nice together.

[Onelefttoget]

How much did you spend on your suburbans

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Onelefttoget

How much did you spend on your suburbans

I gave $3500 for the truck as an abandoned project and I ended up with right around $6000- $6500 in it when finished.

LockDoc

[Onelefttoget]

Nice burb lockdoc 66mustangguy what did you pau for your burb I got mine for 500 with about 700 in to it love driven it needs a little paint

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Onelefttoget

Nice burb lockdoc 66mustangguy what did you pau for your burb I got mine for 500 with about 700 in to it love driven it needs a little paint

One thing about it paint don't make it run any better...

LockDoc

[60sIron]

Late post but I hope it helps. Did all the repairs on mine and painted it and it turned out great. I took it down from the roof and repair the cracks from the inside. Went to a place call Tap Plastic and bought the glue and a sheet of plastic the same gauge as the tunnel. I cut the plastic to what ever size I needed and glued it over the cracks, on the inside where they can't be seen. I put some vinyl edging on it and painted it to match original. If you'd like I can post a picture. Just so you know stock roof air doesn't work very well at all.

[60sIron]

Forgot, maybe because I repaired it about 12 years ago. Molded the plastic patch pieces with a heat gun if the cracks were on a contour. I'm about to repair the interior door on my vintage trailer refrigerator the same way it worked so well.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 60sIron

Late post but I hope it helps. Did all the repairs on mine and painted it and it turned out great. I took it down from the roof and repair the cracks from the inside. Went to a place call Tap Plastic and bought the glue and a sheet of plastic the same gauge as the tunnel. I cut the plastic to what ever size I needed and glued it over the cracks, on the inside where they can't be seen. I put some vinyl edging on it and painted it to match original. If you'd like I can post a picture. Just so you know stock roof air doesn't work very well at all.

Originally Posted by 60sIron

Forgot, maybe because I repaired it about 12 years ago. Molded the plastic patch pieces with a heat gun if the cracks were on a contour. I'm about to repair the interior door on my vintage trailer refrigerator the same way it worked so well.

Thanks for the info and tips. I wondered how well they would work being that far back from the under hood components....

LockDoc

[GMCPaul]

Originally Posted by 60sIron

Late post but I hope it helps. Did all the repairs on mine and painted it and it turned out great. I took it down from the roof and repair the cracks from the inside. Went to a place call Tap Plastic and bought the glue and a sheet of plastic the same gauge as the tunnel. I cut the plastic to what ever size I needed and glued it over the cracks, on the inside where they can't be seen. I put some vinyl edging on it and painted it to match original. If you'd like I can post a picture. Just so you know stock roof air doesn't work very well at all.

If your front to rear roof A/C does not freeze you out then there are problems with it as my moms 71 Suburban will have you freezing in 20-30 minutes on 95 degree day using the factory front to rear roof A/C.
Paul Jr

[60sIron]

My 69 only had roof air. I believe that was it in 69. The blower motor and exchanger(not sure of name) are in the rear. I even blocked the vents for the rear leaving middle and front. Had it professional serviced to max. operating efficiency. It just couldn't keep up with the heat. Suburbans as we all know have a lot of glass, roof area (mines painted white) and floor. All of which radiate heat well. The tech knowledge just wasn't there in 69. But it looks cool!