A/C and Non A/C cab differences - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Purs · 06-02-2005, 09:53 AM

Do '68 "A/C" and "Non-A/C" cabs have the same openings on the firewall for the heater core? In other words, can I put an A/C heater core in place of my "Non-A/C" heater core?

Purs · 06-02-2005, 09:58 AM

In case you're wondering why I'd want to do such a thing, if I can simply swap the heater cores then I can run this A/C delete box and retain the heater without to much hassle. If I can't swap cores then I'll just smooth the firewall and worry about the heater later.

**CPNE** · 06-02-2005, 09:59 AM

No

Purs · 06-02-2005, 10:02 AM

thanks CPNE. I didn't think I'd be that lucky.... I've been told 16 gauge steel is what I need to use to fill the holes on the firewall, would you agree?

**CPNE** · 06-02-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purs

thanks CPNE. I didn't think I'd be that lucky.... I've been told 16 gauge steel is what I need to use to fill the holes on the firewall, would you agree?

Can't answer that as I've got no experience. I like the holes in the firewall, they all serve a purpose

.

If you're going to that much trouble, why not graft in the appropriate section off an A/C firewall from a junk cab? I would think it would be less work in the long run. Food for thought.

Purs · 06-02-2005, 10:19 AM

point taken.

I figure if I do ever want A/C in this truck I'll go with one of the "in cab" units. I here they work great. That's not in the budget for now though. I really like the way this guy did his. Looks great and gives much better access to the engine. thanks for the info, saved me some time from chasing rabbits.

For what it's worth, I really miss the search feature...

**CPNE** · 06-02-2005, 10:28 AM

As for engine access, go INLINE baby!

Anyway, good luck with where ever your plans take you!

70 shorty · 06-02-2005, 10:36 AM

I agree with inline! It sure is nice to stand in the engine compartment to work on something!

Purs · 06-02-2005, 10:41 AM

inline.... inline.... let's see... that means there would be plenty of room for TWIN TURBO's.... doesn't sound too bad now that you mention it.... by the way, you got $20K I can borrow?

**CPNE** · 06-02-2005, 10:45 AM

It's a truck. All it needs is low end torque (I recommend a 292) and 4:11 or 4:56 rear gears with 4 speed granny low. I'll sell you all that delivered for $10K

Mongo · 06-02-2005, 11:54 AM

I would like to see how the heater core is set up in side the cab on this truck. It looks cool without that big box on the firewall.

shifty · 06-02-2005, 12:19 PM

It's probably under the dash. Vintage Air and a couple other places sell them, I've seen them hooked up, some units look basically like any modern car - you see a black plastic belly (almost like an oil pan) sticking out an inch or two under the dash. It's not that bad.

Bob Moore · 06-02-2005, 07:35 PM

Purs - What is that image you posted of a "heater box"? Is it a part you have or have seen? Some details before we completely abandon this route.

Thanks - Bob

71HUGGER396 · 06-02-2005, 08:06 PM

Can't the non air cab be cut to make the air box fit?

Purs · 06-02-2005, 08:14 PM

American Graffiti makes the boxes for all sorts of cars and trucks. It's purpose is to remove your A/C box but retain the use of your heater. I put one on my '68 A/C chevelle and it was GREAT! That's why I thought I could just put an A/C heater core in this truck, THEN put one of there "magic boxes" on. Here is the site: http://americangraffiti.biz

cadiac · 06-02-2005, 09:26 PM

The way I read there info on the web sight, it looks like you can keep your core in stock position (a/c cab). You are (obviously) eliminating the evaporator ect for the a/c. Thanks for the info, as I want my 2 trucks without the factory air. To much under hood clutter for me and aftermarket stuff is as, or more efficient the the original equipment. I saw a drawing of an a/c firewall with a non a/c firewall superimposed over it to show the difference so you could modify one way or the other. Now I'm going to save some modification time.

Purs · 06-02-2005, 09:56 PM

cadiac, I'd like to see that drawing if you have it.

cadiac · 06-03-2005, 05:46 PM

I'll get it or find where it is. I think I was told it was from this sight.

71HUGGER396 · 06-03-2005, 09:26 PM

I don't have the link, but I remember that also.

68haywagon · 06-03-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 shorty

I agree with inline! It sure is nice to stand in the engine compartment to work on something!

Done that with mine already

.

Mike

Brainchild · 06-04-2005, 02:15 AM

Mine is an AC cab,with a non ac unit installed.Looks like the only thing different under the hood is a piece of metal above the box where the heater wire runs through.The rest of the bolt holes were the same.

The heater core in hte non AC is in the same place as the evaparator in an AC unit,and the heater core is on the inside of the cab on an AC unit to compensate.

You can prolly get it to work if you use the AC heater box on the inside.

**john** · 06-04-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purs

cadiac, I'd like to see that drawing if you have it.

see if this works. John

Purs · 06-04-2005, 10:37 PM

john, thanks for the pic. that clears things up. Those are some nice pics at your website. Is that a '70 chevelle or elky? either way, nice rides.

**john** · 06-05-2005, 12:59 PM

Elky Thanks john

06-02-2005, 09:53 AM	#1
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	A/C and Non A/C cab differences Do '68 "A/C" and "Non-A/C" cabs have the same openings on the firewall for the heater core? In other words, can I put an A/C heater core in place of my "Non-A/C" heater core? __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-02-2005, 09:58 AM	#2
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	In case you're wondering why I'd want to do such a thing, if I can simply swap the heater cores then I can run this A/C delete box and retain the heater without to much hassle. If I can't swap cores then I'll just smooth the firewall and worry about the heater later. Attached Images __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-02-2005, 09:59 AM	#3
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	No __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-02-2005, 10:02 AM	#4
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	thanks CPNE. I didn't think I'd be that lucky.... I've been told 16 gauge steel is what I need to use to fill the holes on the firewall, would you agree? __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-02-2005, 10:19 AM	#6
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	point taken. I figure if I do ever want A/C in this truck I'll go with one of the "in cab" units. I here they work great. That's not in the budget for now though. I really like the way this guy did his. Looks great and gives much better access to the engine. thanks for the info, saved me some time from chasing rabbits. For what it's worth, I really miss the search feature... Attached Images __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-02-2005, 10:28 AM	#7
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	As for engine access, go INLINE baby! Anyway, good luck with where ever your plans take you! __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-02-2005, 10:36 AM	#8
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	I agree with inline! It sure is nice to stand in the engine compartment to work on something! __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

06-02-2005, 10:41 AM	#9
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	inline.... inline.... let's see... that means there would be plenty of room for TWIN TURBO's.... doesn't sound too bad now that you mention it.... by the way, you got $20K I can borrow? __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-02-2005, 10:45 AM	#10
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	It's a truck. All it needs is low end torque (I recommend a 292) and 4:11 or 4:56 rear gears with 4 speed granny low. I'll sell you all that delivered for $10K __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all Last edited by CPNE; 06-02-2005 at 10:46 AM.

06-02-2005, 11:54 AM	#11
Mongo YES_____NO Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Somewhere in the vicinity of betelgeuse Posts: 7,351	I would like to see how the heater core is set up in side the cab on this truck. It looks cool without that big box on the firewall. __________________ People many not remember what you said or what you did, but they will remember the way you made them feel. - unknown Cause, remember: no matter where you go... there you are. - Buckaroo Banzai 1984 Help support the board

06-02-2005, 12:19 PM	#12
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	It's probably under the dash. Vintage Air and a couple other places sell them, I've seen them hooked up, some units look basically like any modern car - you see a black plastic belly (almost like an oil pan) sticking out an inch or two under the dash. It's not that bad. __________________ 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.

06-02-2005, 07:35 PM	#13
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Purs - What is that image you posted of a "heater box"? Is it a part you have or have seen? Some details before we completely abandon this route. Thanks - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

06-02-2005, 08:06 PM	#14
71HUGGER396 Confirmed Truckaholic Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sarver,PA 16055 Posts: 732	Can't the non air cab be cut to make the air box fit? __________________ 1968 50th STEP SIDE SHORTY, 350/350, a/c, ps, p,b Daily Driver, 1970 Cst short fleet, all black, 350/350, 1970 2wd Blazer, 2wd, 6 cyl. 3 spd, original, now a 454, 350turbo, 3.73 posi, on the road 1971 2wd fleet shorty, 454, 700r4, 3.73 posi, SOLD to 67OLDSTYLE72 "My rig's a little old but that don't mean she's slow" - SAWYER BROWN's Six Days On The Road SEMPER FI "I use to be a lean mean fighting machine, but now I'm a huffin, puffin, over stuffin love muffin"

06-02-2005, 08:14 PM	#15
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	American Graffiti makes the boxes for all sorts of cars and trucks. It's purpose is to remove your A/C box but retain the use of your heater. I put one on my '68 A/C chevelle and it was GREAT! That's why I thought I could just put an A/C heater core in this truck, THEN put one of there "magic boxes" on. Here is the site: http://americangraffiti.biz __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." Last edited by Purs; 06-02-2005 at 08:14 PM.

06-02-2005, 09:26 PM	#16
cadiac Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas 67212 Posts: 257	The way I read there info on the web sight, it looks like you can keep your core in stock position (a/c cab). You are (obviously) eliminating the evaporator ect for the a/c. Thanks for the info, as I want my 2 trucks without the factory air. To much under hood clutter for me and aftermarket stuff is as, or more efficient the the original equipment. I saw a drawing of an a/c firewall with a non a/c firewall superimposed over it to show the difference so you could modify one way or the other. Now I'm going to save some modification time.



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06-02-2005, 09:56 PM	#17
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	cadiac, I'd like to see that drawing if you have it. __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-03-2005, 05:46 PM	#18
cadiac Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas 67212 Posts: 257	I'll get it or find where it is. I think I was told it was from this sight.

06-03-2005, 09:26 PM	#19
71HUGGER396 Confirmed Truckaholic Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sarver,PA 16055 Posts: 732	I don't have the link, but I remember that also. __________________ 1968 50th STEP SIDE SHORTY, 350/350, a/c, ps, p,b Daily Driver, 1970 Cst short fleet, all black, 350/350, 1970 2wd Blazer, 2wd, 6 cyl. 3 spd, original, now a 454, 350turbo, 3.73 posi, on the road 1971 2wd fleet shorty, 454, 700r4, 3.73 posi, SOLD to 67OLDSTYLE72 "My rig's a little old but that don't mean she's slow" - SAWYER BROWN's Six Days On The Road SEMPER FI "I use to be a lean mean fighting machine, but now I'm a huffin, puffin, over stuffin love muffin"

06-04-2005, 02:15 AM	#21
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Mine is an AC cab,with a non ac unit installed.Looks like the only thing different under the hood is a piece of metal above the box where the heater wire runs through.The rest of the bolt holes were the same. The heater core in hte non AC is in the same place as the evaparator in an AC unit,and the heater core is on the inside of the cab on an AC unit to compensate. You can prolly get it to work if you use the AC heater box on the inside. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

06-04-2005, 10:37 PM	#23
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	john, thanks for the pic. that clears things up. Those are some nice pics at your website. Is that a '70 chevelle or elky? either way, nice rides. __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

06-05-2005, 12:59 PM	#24
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Elky Thanks john __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

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