chrome a/c vents
#9
These are a little hard to find in good condition. Look for parts from 65-66 88’s/98’s and Starfires with A/C. Non-AC cars did not get these vents
First up the correct vent ***** are heavy diecast chrome. Later ones, which you’ll see in the catalogs are plastic. I’m not sure if those fit. Next, finding used oriiginals with decent-to-good chrome is a little harder. The chrome often pitted over the years of use. See eBay, or maybe an A/C specialist.
The ***** ride in a felt gasket which compresses over the years and eventually fails to keep them in their place. You can glue in a new gasket, but you’ll need to make it out of the correct thickness of felt which I’ve never done. In addition to the gasket they’re held in by a 3/32” set screw which people tend to over tighten as the gasket wears out to hold the vent ***** in place.
The gasket and set screw sit inside a plastic or Bakelite tube housing which can also crack & break over the years especially where the air tubes (solid on the right, hose on the left) connect to it. You can definitely use hose for both sides if your right plastic tube and rubber connecting ring are gone/busted. I believe the hoses and tubes are 3” diameter asphalt covered cloth which can be bought today. Be sure to measure the outer diameter of your housings to get the right size.
The last problem I’ve never solved is replacing the rubber gaskets that the door opening ***** ride in - they eventually crack up and fall off, but I don’t know where to get replacements. I just use a bit of electrical tape wrapped to around the rod to fake it.
If you find parts that don’t have these problems, buy ‘em and they’ll work well. Good luck and have fun
Chris
First up the correct vent ***** are heavy diecast chrome. Later ones, which you’ll see in the catalogs are plastic. I’m not sure if those fit. Next, finding used oriiginals with decent-to-good chrome is a little harder. The chrome often pitted over the years of use. See eBay, or maybe an A/C specialist.
The ***** ride in a felt gasket which compresses over the years and eventually fails to keep them in their place. You can glue in a new gasket, but you’ll need to make it out of the correct thickness of felt which I’ve never done. In addition to the gasket they’re held in by a 3/32” set screw which people tend to over tighten as the gasket wears out to hold the vent ***** in place.
The gasket and set screw sit inside a plastic or Bakelite tube housing which can also crack & break over the years especially where the air tubes (solid on the right, hose on the left) connect to it. You can definitely use hose for both sides if your right plastic tube and rubber connecting ring are gone/busted. I believe the hoses and tubes are 3” diameter asphalt covered cloth which can be bought today. Be sure to measure the outer diameter of your housings to get the right size.
The last problem I’ve never solved is replacing the rubber gaskets that the door opening ***** ride in - they eventually crack up and fall off, but I don’t know where to get replacements. I just use a bit of electrical tape wrapped to around the rod to fake it.
If you find parts that don’t have these problems, buy ‘em and they’ll work well. Good luck and have fun
Chris
#10
Oh - they’re held in by 1/4” hex head on the bottom and 2 tiny nuts behind the dash on the top right and top left corners.
Don’t overnighten the screw or nuts on reassembly because they bite into diecast chrome which can strip if you do.
Chris
Don’t overnighten the screw or nuts on reassembly because they bite into diecast chrome which can strip if you do.
Chris
#11
Didn’t get any messages but here goes. Very nice pair of outer AC vents. The chrome you will see as a passenger is extremely nice. The one on the underside, if ur passenger is on the floorboard will see very light pitting, the other, none. The pull levers are stabile, meaning they hold position. The felts are all there. The ***** are rather firm and don’t flop around. Not sure how much of the system u need. As I said, I probably have the plastics behind the dash depending on what u need. Very good driver + quality. NOT CONCOURS Amelia Island judging show… $100 a side plus the ride or free delivery to Hershey in a week. Let me know.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Funkwagon455
General Discussion
5
February 11th, 2023 07:32 AM
Bowtie-Bri
Interior/Upholstery
3
April 7th, 2018 10:48 AM