The Co-op: Dash AC/heat and some other rampling (updated)

I can’t tell you why, it’s rainy but it’s warmer…that’s probably it…it’s warmer followed by some more….boy…..this will bring out the cold trolls…..that’s it, I always know it will be warmer soon!  OK, you can sure laugh at me when I have sweatballs running off my chin!

But whatever coming in this morning and flipping on the lights…one of my jobs now……. I wanted to show you how prepared now the Co-op is to do all sorts of things.  Not just the place but the people make this happen but I’ll say all this started coming together when we moved out of the hole we were in to this shop. 

So lemme catch you up on things……..  I did make progress on the dash AC/heat project, I wanted to show you that but go back a bit and review……….So here is Ruby with the dash AC/het/defrost system installed and wired.  The cluster of connectors on the right side of the opening next to the filled vent all connects to the new control panel…all fly-by-wire.  The 2 yellow wires under the original fuse block are the power to the system to be connected to the coach in the central point.. the fuse block.  If you blow the pic up you can see inside the dash the 4 output ducts ready to be connected to their vents.  

 I’ll now set up the other 2 coaches up this way.  Speaking of “the other coaches” I realized some of you may not have picked up on the scope of what I’m having fun with. 

First thing was Cedric taunting me saying he wanted the best of everything for Ruby.  Well if you’ve messed with these for any length of time you know all those mods folks have added over the years to try and make a descent dash AC didn’t and couldn’t do much if it had anything to do with the original dash AV/heat box was still used.  It was just a piss poor design……if you were the designed I’m sorry but it’s just is!  Early, late, with ducts all over the place the box is crap!

So all this is Cedrics fault!  I would have just reied my best om the lead weight just as I’ve done for 20 years but Noooooooo….I had to say lets try something different….. I have a stripped dash in from of me so lets do it.  Then 2 other good GMC friends saw me starting this and I think it was cheaper to bring their coaches down here and not winterize them but they both wanted to be involved. 

OK….so using as much of a scientific method as you can south of the Mason/Dixon line,  the first time you do anything it’s kills ya…. time to figure it all out, make mistakes, learn on the job and all that you come up with something.  You may have learned enough to do it again…maybe not but you learn more then and the next one and so on.  I would not have wanted to take a ride in Henry Ford’s first car attempt… and all that so now having 3 coaches in front of me…1 a total strip project a 1973 (prototype #41)…one replacing a dash I had installed 18 years before with a new bigger MacDash and doing the AC/heat system a 1976 and a third coach… a redo of a MacDaddy dash installed decades ago by a GMC enthusiast another 1973, it too getting the Dash AC/heat treatment!  By the time I cut myself up enough to prototype it, prove I can do it agan and then do it again with knowledge….yeah man, this is what I call fun!  So, here is where we are On Ruby

Texas Tux

and David S. 1973 coach all 3 with units installed ready to proceed.. now I know what it REALLY takes to an install really takes

At this point I can tell you this…….if you really want to learn that much and do something just cause you can…brother I hear ya but if you just want good dash AC ….kinda like you’d love a good watch but do ya really want to learn how to make it?  I have hopes thus far of a great outcome but to truly do this without creating a bigger nightmare than you already have up there a complete engine electrical system dig in…a MacDash change for the added space and organization AND the complete dash AC/heat/defrost system and a complete dash area cosmetic refinish.  It’s just not realistic to know all that from doing it many times…….

We’re looking at @ $1350 in hard parts…call it $1500 but that’s just the AC unit.  Now comes the dash, the mods and the learning curve.  If it’s your bag….go for it.

So moving on with the lights in the big house on…my job… we have a mechanicals delivery today, it’s name is the green worm    This is the one I did the dash AC blower replacement on last week.

Wait, here’s the stuff before the guys showed up: 

Gow another green worm out of paint yesterday…. I didn’t call this a green worm did I?  A 1979 Ford F150 4×4, short bed complete with tilt front hood and FiTech fuel injection…. a 1979 short be

Gotta ..be back later…….  OK, the morning caught up with me…….. I’m back

So I stopped with the green pickup, here is the blue 78 Ford getting it’s final fluids check to be delivered today    An F250 4×4, long bed, manual with the same 351 Cleveland Industrial (I’m told) it also sporting FiTech   along with a few other goodies. 

Like I said, a pretty neat place to work!  OK…back to work you slave!  I’m back on the AC units….See ya tomorrow……..

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