Vintage Air Heater Hoses at Firewall - Grommets?

[NC_John]

I don't like the way vintage air put grommets on the firewall filler plate for the AC lines but not the heater hose lines. I guess their thinking is to push the heater hoses tight up against the firewall and that covers the holes, but if there is a leak at the end of the hose, I sure don't want the antifreeze going into the cab.

Has anyone found any grommets that fit those holes/lines? I took a chance and bought a set of vintage air grommets from Summit but they turned out to be the ones for the AC and don't work for the heater side.

thanks

[Daddy'O]

The heater hoses are supposed to be pushed through the cover plate to the inside of the cab. The hose acts like a grommet. Currently working on mine. I used gates shrink clamps.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

The heater hoses are supposed to be pushed through the cover plate to the inside of the cab. The hose acts like a grommet. Currently working on mine. I used gates shrink clamps.

Yeah, I acknowledged that in the post but if coolant starts leaking out the end of the hose (likely? no... possible? definitely), it'll go into the cab for who knows how long before you notice. And if you have to get the heater hoses off the core later it'll be a real b%tch. I'm looking for a better option.

[Daddy'O]

Check out post #20 in this thread -

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614831

[ls1nova71]

So, are you basically wanting to hard line the heater core fittings through the firewall? With the way the VA heater core is made, I don't see how it will be possible? Even if you put bulkhead fittings in it you still have to hook them up with rubber hose. Personally I wouldn't worry about it. I've put over 100k miles on cars with Vintage Air and never had one leak. Certainly not anymore likely than if the original heater core started to leak, then its the same scenario, coolant on the floor...

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

So, are you basically wanting to hard line the heater core fittings through the firewall? With the way the VA heater core is made, I don't see how it will be possible? Even if you put bulkhead fittings in it you still have to hook them up with rubber hose. Personally I wouldn't worry about it. I've put over 100k miles on cars with Vintage Air and never had one leak. Certainly not anymore likely than if the original heater core started to leak, then its the same scenario, coolant on the floor...

Nah, I just didn't want to push the heater hose on all the way to and through the firewall. I would like to leave a gap but then not have those ugly gaps around the heater core pipes. I think the vintage air setup overall feels kind of chintzy. Too universal a kit. Like the mechano sets I played with as a kid.

I guess I'll make it prettier if and when I clean up/smooth the firewall.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

Check out post #20 in this thread -

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614831

Yeah, same question but incomplete answer

Guess I need to dig around the hardware bins next time I go to Lowes. They always seem to be out of stock of the exact piece I need......

Thanks

[rockyrivermark]

Guessing heater core is copper/brass
See if you can find a copper coupler or pipe that works to solder it just past the firewall

[Zeroman]

Grainger sells all sizes of grommets. They only come in bags of 25, but I got exactly the sizes I was looking for.

Just measure the OD of the hose for the ID of the grommet(made sure it was a bit smaller so it would seal), and the ID of the hole in the firewall for the OD of the groove in the grommet. Then depending on those sizes they even have some that have different groove dimensions.

I am installing a Vintage Air system with the EZ Clip lines, but am routing the lines above the fender well through the far right side of the firewall and fresh air intake. That means I am not using the hard lines provided with the kit. See the pic.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Zeroman

Grainer sells all sizes of grommets. They only come in bags of 25, but I got exactly the sizes I was looking for.

Just measure the OD of the hose for the ID of the grommet(made sure it was a bit smaller so it would seal), and the ID of the hole in the firewall for the OD of the groove in the grommet. Then depending on those sizes they even have some that have different groove dimensions.

I am installing a Vintage Air system with the EZ Clip lines, but am routing the lines above the fender well through the far right side of the firewall and fresh air intake. That means I am not using the hard lines provided with the kit. See the pic.

I'll check them out if I strike out at Lowes. Thanks.