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OrrieG,
You're really engineering this enclosure, good work. Do you plan on ever removing it after completion? the way you're securing it is going to make it hard to remove it once done. What is a big box store?

Tri5

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I want the frame secure enough that it doesn't move and squeak. The back will be held in with 8 screws. I had it in and out half a dozen times fine tuning the fit, it just takes a few minutes. Corners will have clips screwed to the back for alignment and into the floor and upper flange thru the speaker and storage cutouts. The finish panels will snap in using a concealed clip at the top with screw fasteners at the bottom.

Big box is Lowe's or Home Depot, most home improvement places have it.

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Got it, I know what you mean about squeaking, it drives me nuts.
Got you now on the big box.

Tri5

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Big Brown arrived with the misc Vintage Air Parts I ordered (right before they went on sale at a site vendor here). Now I can get the unit hung under the dash. Will a simple air pressure test tell me if the heater and ac cores are good?

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I'm not sure about air but I believe water is a better indicator of pressure for ac/heater cores.

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Pressure for the heater core but, most of the time AC components are checked by vacuum testing.

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Water would obviously be OK for a heater core, but DON'T put any water in the a/c evaporator.

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Thanks. both cores are sealed in the VA case so I can't do a visual on them. I assumed about 20# air pressure with a leak down fitting would work but I can also rig it up for water and apply pressure to simulate the radiator pressure and see if it goes anywhere.

Did not plan on putting anything thru the ac core, reading on line even running ac cleaner thru them can sometimes cause problems. I do have a vaccum pump I could hook up but need to figure out a check valve set up. If all goes well will give it the bench test this weekend.

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Odds and ends day. Checked out the trans temp gauge, its ok, painted the bezel to match the dash. Routed the temp line. Got stuff for the center A/C grille. Slight modification to the brake pedal hole it move a little and was rubbing on the pedal shaft. Installed the VA defrost vents. If you are using VA install the hoses on the vents before installing them, the manual says to do it later, looks to me like it would be a challenge, I had to work pretty hard getting the hoses on working on the bench. Modified the stock heater control with the VA supplied switch, etc. Need to go round up some nylon cable end spacers I forgot to ask for and don't want to pay the minimum $15 shipping and handling fee to get them here. AT least its warmed up, stove got the shop to a toasty 60 degrees.

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Afternoon was spent working on the a/c. Bench chased the wiring, its all there (this is a used VA unit). Trial fit the cables and found that one bracket was missing and another was installed backwards because the PO had an aftermarket control instead of the factory Deluxe setup. Lots of trial fitting, cutting, welding to get them to work in the tight space between the top of the unit and dash.. Still scratching my head about the ac hose runs. Tomorrow I'm going to bench test the electrics to make sure all the micro switches and fan works ok.

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I know your pain. I had a really hard time installing the AC hoses in mine. I ended up having to purchase some 180 degree fittings and extra 90 degree fittings.

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That is the direction I think I am heading, hardline from the condenser thru firewall, then pick up the hoses on the firewall side. Any chance you have photos of what you did??

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Take a look on my build link, it should be around page 4 or 5. Look on the top of page 4.

Mine was probably a bit harder as it wasn't a direct fit. For the heater lines, I ended up using some heater line elbows from Napa as well as one of the Gates coils that go on the outside of the hose to keep it from kinking. Except for one minor portion, I used silicone hoses so that I wouldn't have to replace them.

If you need some other pictures that arent' on there, let me know and I will dig them up when I go back to my room this evening.

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I took a look, thanks for the link. Big difference is you had room above your unit, the sure fit is tight against the firewall, bottom of the dash and passenger kick panel. I got the heater hoses figured out and mounted the heater bulkhead fittings. After looking at it I think the AC side will work out if I can find some tight radius (for cab side) bulkhead fittings. I have been fretting about the hoses and fitting being visible inside the cab. I decided I will install them where they work and are accessible in the future then build a cover for them. Photos will come later, had to shut down the shop in a hurry last night to help the wife.

UPDATE: Here are some photos of the ac unit bench test and he heater hose bulkhead fittings. When I was doing the ac cable fits I found that one bracket was missing and the other different (it was set up for a custom under dash control unit) so I had to modify it.

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Orrie - Just spent the whole evening reading your entire build thread. Amazing doesn't begin to describe it. I'd been estimating I might be driving my own build by 2015, but after reading your thread I think that might be optomistic. Somehow, that doesn't discourage me because your build also shows that with perseverence and attention to detail you can exceed your own expectations. Great work - cant wait to see it done!

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Thanks, right now it is all cash flow and weather. Having to save a few hundred bucks at a time to get the stuff for the next step and body work on hold until the temps get up to paint and block it. I amuse myself doing all the small things that take time. It has also given me time to really think out the most "elegant", in engineering terms, solutions to the problems. That is my nature anyway. But the goal is to have it running and drivable by mid summer, in primer. A local guy has just started advertising a paint booth for rent by the day, week or month so I may try and do the final paint myself.

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Cleaned up the column and gave it a coat of SEM vinyl paint to match the leather seats. Simple Green scrub, second clean with warm water, dryed. Applied SEM adhesion enhancer then three coats vinyl paint. Heres before and after pics. Fluorscent lights make it look a little green, it really is GM Medium Dark Pewter!

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That looks real good.
Kim

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That looks nice! It was a van column right?

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1982 Caddy Eldorado.

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OK cool. :)

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That turned out really nice.

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Thanks. This weekend I am going to install the steering wheel and seats to start mocking up the enclosure around the column and seat frame. Want to get everything that might need fiberglassed ready so I can do it all at once.

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subscribed! i have a 59 short fleet i am going to convert to 4x4. lots of good stuff on your build thread. thanks for all the info.

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Got the seats and column in. Also dropped the gauges in to. Here are photos that show the seat frame and the seat folded, etc.