[Rons68]

I recently bought a "sure fit" unit from Vintage Air for my '68 (non-factory A/C car). I haven't installed it yet because I am putting new sheet metal on the back of my car; the engine is out and the insides are gutted.

My question concerns the round metal cover that they supply that goes over where the original blower and fan was, and the plastic panel that covers the hole in the fire wall where the original heater core was. I was thinking about not using these pieces, and butt welding sheet metal over the holes and grinding the welds smooth. I could put holes for the lines where the plastic panel would locate them, and use the grommets that came in the panel.

I don't think that I'd ever change back to the factory heater system, but if I did, I could always just cut the holes again. Has anyone done this or have an opinion on it ? Thanks, Ron.

[ramcda]

If you have the car apart I'd say go for it. I've seen many people do the same. DSE sells a weld in kit to smooth your firewall. You could then just cust the holes you need as you mentioned. It would obviously look much nicer.

[HOTRODSRJ]

I did something similar to what you are proposing.

I have a 69 ragtop and did not want to run the lines from the ugly piece of plastic cover that they gave me thru the firewall at that point.

So, I took the old system out, pounded in the lips on the opening of the heater box on the firewall, then made a template from poster board that covered the whole firewall right up to the heater motor hole out of 20 ga aluminum. Crafted it smooth and flat (no wrinkles, dents or scratches..cutout for my HEI), then powder coated the piece black, glued in on with silicone adhesive and captured it behing the hinges etal. It looks fantasic and far less work than welding, grinding and painting etc and you cannot tell unless you know what I did that it's a firewall cover.....

The way I brought my hoses out is ingenious if I may say so myself . I cut an oval hole in the far upper passenger side cowl plenum that enters into the cowl/fender area next to where the blower motor mounted. This allowed me to run ALL my hoses thru the interior plenum wall to the fresh air plenun in the cowl and used the plastic cover that came with the kit with rubber bushing rings to bring the hoses thru the cowl plenum (sealing that with the plastic piece that holds the four hoses) and further routing/trapping the hoses between the inner and outer fender wells to the front where they exit/pop out under the battery to interface with the engine and air (my air is on the passenger side). It's hardly noticeable and cleans the compartment up so nicely. It is so clean that people often walk by and remark that the car has no heater and air yet the compressor is staring them right in the face. When I point this out...they are always amazed at the clean look!

I have pics, but not hosted for posting if ya email me.

[Rons68]

Thanks for the replies ! Steve - I'll send you an e-mail; I would like to see your pics.

[HOTRODSRJ]

Ron.....you are welcome to put the pics up on a host for posting here ....for others if you want.

[Rons68]

I would be glad to Steve, but I don't have a clue of how to do it !

[CFunK]

Steve,

Send them to me, I will put them up.

[CFunK]

I got around to putting the pictures up.

Steve Jack's Smooth Firewall