I need dimensions
for the '55 factory AC air ducting / hoses.
There are 2 different air hoses:
One that goes from the Y plastic shape distributor (shown in blue) to the vent in the dash.
The other from the same Y part to the central manifold (shown in red) below the glove box.
Is there anyone that could confirm the diameters of these hoses.
From what I was able to find, I think the one Y to dash vent is 2 1/2 inches, and the one from the Y to the manifold is 3 1/2 inches.
Thanks guys.

 

Don't know for sure, but if you have the red part you should have the sizes there. I believe those hoses were made of cardboard paper like substance, maybe hard to find these days if you are going totally stock, otherwise plastic dryer vent will work for the large one... Jealous of your AC unit. It's on my bucket list... Tedd

 

The gray plastic used back then was really bad. Mine have crumbled in the Texas heat.

Would like to find someone with a decent example of both of those parts that could be used to reproduce these items.

ron

 

Hey Tedd
No, unfortunately I don't have either the Y (blue) not the manifold (red) parts.
these parts were made a plastic... cheap/poor plastic of the time.
I have not seen one that did not melted or broke.
As of right now I'm making a 3D printing sample of the manifold, and that were I need to confirm these measurements.
My car does not have the factory AC unit, but I'm planning to retrofit one as it has been done before.
I'm still collecting the parts that I need lots of them...

 

I'm making and soon will sell brand new Y and manifold.
I'm working with a 3D company, I'll keep you posted.

 

I think I have the left and center hoses but not the one that runs to the passenger side, when I get home from work today I'll send some pictures with dimensions.

While were on an AC topic, does anyone know a source for the rubber isolators between the compressor and the mount?

 

Air hose left and air hose right are both 2 1/2 inch. Air hose center is 3 1/2 inch. As Tedd said, the original hoses were kind of cardboard/paper. I still have the original hoses in my '56.

I actually have an original manifold that I got from Jim Mizell (thanks again Jim). It's badly melted from the summer heat and I'm still trying to straighten it out. But I was able to use it as a model to make one using the schnozzles from a wet dry vac. It works great. I can send you a picture of it if you'd like. I just have to find it.

If you get that far, you'll find that the center vent (at the controls) is useless and should be kept closed, so more air can get to the right side vent.

Also another tip: The "cabin air filter" is metal and usually badly rusted. I replaced mine with a fridge air filter from Amazon for under $10.

 

thank you Sir, those are the dimensions I was looking.

Indeed the one that I have is all rusted. Could you share the model number that work?

 

Ooops. The filter is a range hood filter, not a fridge filter.

 

So here is what I'm doing.
In my search of factory AC parts, I came across what could be call an "excellent condition" center plastic manifold for the factory AC unit.
In reality it's a piece of plastic that have been melted hundreds of time, and vaguely look at what it use to be.

So, let forward few months, I'm now working with a 3D company, to recreate and print the manifold and hopefully the Y (still have to put my hand on one of these).
I'm almost at the stage of printing the first prototype, I'm also way above the initial budget... but I've never been that close.
I'll be posting hopefully next week as soon as I got the prototype ready.

 

Thanks Frank for the filter tip!

 

Pray tell, is this the "Y" you're looking for?

 

Yes it is... Oh, your is much nicer looking than mine hahaha



When I looked at mine, I think I could get the dimensions and angles that I need to make it
Thank again Franck, I appreciate your help

 

The 1955 Master Chassis parts books for shows for 1954 (not sure if the same for 1955?) they are 10 3/4" long each X 2, does not list the diameter, and 1955 does not list length just part numbers

Center part # 566717
Left part # 566719

Right part # 566718

Bob

 

I guess I did have all 3, I’ll most likely source some plastic hose, not sure I want to breathe that insulation in.

 

Hello jesse
Oh wow, you really have pieces of history here lol!
So it seems to be 2.5" and 3" diameter.
Then they're insulated with an outer/extra layer...
They really thought of keeping the calories out the system, incredible!
Thanks a lot Jesse for your help.

 

Happy to help!!

 

Might I suggest a change before you produce your parts. I made mine via a sheet metal shop many moons ago. I had them make the hose sizes bigger. The reason being the a/c blower is underpowered in it's stock form. I had them make every thing 1/2 inch bigger.

I then replaced the motor and blower wheels with larger components I think with Chrysler motor and wheel. I hot rodded the motor for even higher speed. I was using a Chrysler alternator back then. But switched to gm at some point time.

Without these changes I could not use my car in Dallas Texas summer heat.

I also upgraded my compressor to a A6 and modified a 1959 Chrysler condenser to hide behind the Oldsmobile factory condenser to act as a pre condenser so to speak .

There is only one double insulated hose from the "Y" to the manifold. No practical use for such a short hose.

Per the rubber mount request, I made my own. I used the chevy tri-five engine mounts that are commonly available and cut them in half. Thicker than original and better than the brown melted second type used by Oldsmobile more like the black first type they used to stop compressor noise.

I also added a muffler from later model Oldsmobile (1959) to stop compressor noise.

Again. These mods were done over 45 years ago.

Ron

 

The 1954 factory a/c evaporator was trunk mounted.

The "kit" a/c Oldsmobile system is documented to fit 1954.

I have seen 1955/1959 gmc trucks with Oldsmobile evaporator mounted to the firewall.

Ron

 

thanks for the info Ron!!

 

Hello Ron

Thanks a lot for the advice, I really appreciate. All what you have modified makes sense.
As you mentioned, I have heard too that the passenger vent has indeed a very low flow of air, and I also heard that changing the motor and the fan for a more powerful is actually not a bad idea at all.
For "technical" reason and mostly cost, I'm gonna have to keep the diameters the same than the original.
I may enlarge the section between the Y and the manifold, but the other sections (left and right) will stay the same to match the dimensions of the dash vents.

I have never seen a '55 AC kit on a '54, but I have seen a '54 trunk unit in a '55?!?
The guy was certain it was factory made, I try to talk him out, but didn't want to argue on who was right, you know.

Thanks a lot Ron for your inputs, and all of you guys for your help.

 

I can see where a 1954 a/c unit could be used on a 1955 car. The two years are so similar.

Please reconsider the mods. I have 3 1955 and 2 1956 a/c cars I could personally use on I have a near complete 1955 system that I have listed on craigslist and that would be the icing on cake to being a complete system.

Ron