Hello,

I'm wrapping up a Vintage Air install into my 68 Cutlass, and am wondering what other 68 & 69 Cutlass people have done for routing the duct to the dash vent on the drivers side, left of the steering wheel. Not the defrost, but the one pointing at the driver. Right now mine is going around the bottom of the steering column and I would like to make it less of an eyesore. It doesn't look like going over the top of the column is an option.

I posted this on another forum that is more focused on restomod/aftermarket parts and got a response that on a 72 Cutlass the duct passed directly behind the gauges w/ plenty of room. When I weasel my head under the dash, the available area to pass the duct through looks very questionable. Before I try to squeeze it through I was wondering what other 68 and 69 owners have done - I am wondering if the space behind the gauges is different then 70-72.

The assembly manual shows the stock routing going under the column via a formed plastic duct piece. The Vintage Air manual only shows the pass side duct routing.

Thanks.

 

How big (in cross-section) is the V/A duct compared to the factory air duct? I restored the dash in my ‘69 (factory AC) about 10 years ago. I don’t remember the exact routing but I know for sure it didn’t go under the steering column so there is room back there. The factory assembly manual shows the routing clearly. If you have access to one of those, following the factory routing would be best. The flexible factory duct is approximately 4”x2”.
I don’t have my build manual handy right now or I’d post a photo of the page.

 

I installed a Vintage Air system a few months ago in my 68,442 non Factory Air. I ran the left side lower vent hose over the steering column. it was a bit of a squeez but not impossible. Worked out pretty well for me. Joe

 

I ran mine over the steering column support bracket. It does take some effort to collapse the hose, but it fits and functions just fine.

 

Here is a snip from section 1-1 p 214 of the 68 Cutlass/F85/442 assembly manual.
The flat oval duct is what you need or something similar to adapt to the aftermarket system manifold.

A quick search of the net shows plenty of Camaro and other flat profile ducts similar to Olds.
The 68 duct isn't easy to find. A couple of guys here in the classified section may be able to help. Place a want ad and look at the for sale page.
The 68 PN is 399411

Also, look at the industrial commercial supply places(McMaster Carr, Grainger) to source something similar that's pliable enough to allow adaptation. I'm surprised the after-market vendor does not have anything? Did you inquire?

 

Thanks for posting that picture for the '68. It is definitely different than '69.

 

Actually the duct running under the column is the same for 68 and 69. The center and the right hand ducting are a little different, but the driver side uses the same part# 399411 duct (#5 in the photos below) under the column both years to deliver air to the driver side A/C vent.

Here is a pic of the duct work for a 69:


Here is a pic of the ductwork for a 68. Notice the right side on the 68 uses some round connections (6,7, & 8) vs. the rectangular connections and flex hose (6,7, & 8) on the 69:


To the OP, there is room to run the flexible hose in your vintage air kit above the column but you need to go the whole way up in the area behind the gauges. The pic below is of the A/C setup in my car. I know this does not really show the routing, but you can see it is not under the column.

 

Holy 💩! That looks incredible! Do you even drive it?

 

Thanks for all of the feedback, that helps. I'm planning on squeezing it behind the gauges but am waiting until after I figure out why my tachometer isn't working.

 

I do, and I have to say the Gen IV vintage air set up is no joke. Keeps the inside of the car nice and cool. With the gate glass down, you can feel the cold air blowing the whole way at the back of the car which is saying something for the interior of a vista cruiser.