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    Author Topic: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?  (Read 1814 times)

    Offline ElDoradoCuda

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    Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « on: July 21, 2008 - 05:21:38 PM »
    I am considering switching my A/C equipped 73 Cuda to non-A/C.  Forgetting considerations about originality (since it already has lost it's white vinyl top, morphed from a Barracuda to a Cuda, and lost it's 318/904 for a 360/833), I was wondering what is involved.  I thought I once saw that the firewall is different, and if so - how different?  I don't want to trash my firewall trying to do this.
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    Offline 72hemi

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #1 on: July 21, 2008 - 05:27:14 PM »
    For starters the heater box, control panel and dash pad are different and will need to be swapped out (the dash pad doesnt have to be swapped out if you don't want to go through that expense). The firewall is different but I think you just have to weld up the holes for the ac lines and the vacuum lines to operate the ac box vents and control box. I'll go through my pictures when I get home and see what I can post for the differences. In the past I've just blocked off the ac lines and removed all under hood components and then used the ac box and controls for the heater and defroster functions only. This route is a lot cheaper and less time consuming but not quite as clean in appearance under the hood (having two capped off fitting pertruding through the firewall).
    « Last Edit: July 21, 2008 - 05:29:00 PM by 72hemi »
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    Offline ElDoradoCuda

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #2 on: July 21, 2008 - 05:35:36 PM »
    72hemi - Thanks very much for the information.  Yes, if you could take another look at yours and post the differences that would be great.  My a/c box is shot, I'm buying new controls, and the dash is being redone anyway so I'd planned to by a good used or rebuilt heater blower/box assembly (anyone out there want to get rid of one?).  My big concern was the firewall.  If its just a matter of heater and vacuum holes I'd probably just find some rubber body plugs that would fit and call it good.  Thanks again.
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    Offline Moparal

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #3 on: July 21, 2008 - 05:45:43 PM »
    The non ac heater core holes are in a different location
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    Offline cudaguy71

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #4 on: July 21, 2008 - 05:46:43 PM »
    Say, I'm going the other way.  Adding A/C to my non-A/C 73 cuda'.  Good luck with yours...
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    Offline ElDoradoCuda

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #5 on: July 21, 2008 - 08:04:56 PM »
    Is the ventilation system the same for A/C and non A/C cars?
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    Offline cudaguy71

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #6 on: July 23, 2008 - 10:59:04 AM »
    Here is a pic of the non-A/C firewall area.
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    1973 'Cuda Project
    1971 'Cuda Project
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    Offline ElDoradoCuda

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #7 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:29:39 PM »
    Thanks Cudaguy71 - I downloaded the picture and will compare it with my firewall.  By the way, I'm looking to trade my A/C stuff for non-A/C stuff.
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    Offline cudaguy71

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #8 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:36:59 PM »
    Quote from: ElDoradoCuda on July 23, 2008 - 08:29:39 PM
    Thanks Cudaguy71 - I downloaded the picture and will compare it with my firewall.  By the way, I'm looking to trade my A/C stuff for non-A/C stuff.
    Well I bet we can work something out...
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    1973 'Cuda Project
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    Offline Topcat

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #9 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:45:38 PM »
    I did it. The top cowl will have to be separated from the lower portion.
    Sanded inside then sprayed Rust Bullit thru my gun all inside.
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    Mike, Fremont, CA.

    Offline ElDoradoCuda

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #10 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:46:59 PM »
    I'll gather up my A/C components this weekend and take some pictures of them.  Are you going with an original-style compressor or newer type?  I have the compressor and brackets still mounted to the car and will send pictures of that too if interested (actually if you go to my newbe entry you can see an underhood picture).  The A/C box had already been removed by the previous owner but was included with the car.  What I'm looking for is just the heater box (hopefully with fan and core in place), and the air routing tubes that go to the floor and windshield.  I have all the A/C air routing stuff, the compressor, condenser, dryer, brackets, etc.  The box itself is in poor condition and should only be thought of as a core.  The other stuff is pretty good.  I'd like to trade straight across for a decent non/AC box/blower/core assembly with air routing tubes.  I plan to buy the dash controller plate and cables from the aftermarket.
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    Offline ElDoradoCuda

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #11 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:50:02 PM »
    Topcat, you had to do all that to go non A/C?  I was hoping it was just a matter of sealing the A/C holes and drilling new ones for the non A/C heater.  What am I missing?
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    Offline Topcat

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #12 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:51:21 PM »
    Quote from: ElDoradoCuda on July 23, 2008 - 08:50:02 PM
    Topcat, you had to do all that to go non A/C?  I was hoping it was just a matter of sealing the A/C holes and drilling new ones for the non A/C heater.  What am I missing?

    Just like Moparal said...
    Quote from: Moparal on July 21, 2008 - 05:45:43 PM
    The non ac heater core holes are in a different location
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    Mike, Fremont, CA.

    Offline Topcat

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #13 on: July 23, 2008 - 08:53:11 PM »
    You could probably stick a non A/C in a A/C hole. But it will definitely still look like an A/C hole since it's such a bigger hole than non A/C.
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    Mike, Fremont, CA.

    Offline cudaguy71

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    Re: Switching an A/C Cuda to non A/C?
    « Reply #14 on: July 23, 2008 - 09:31:03 PM »
    I do have a good non/AC box/blower/core assembly, I also have the dash controls.
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    1973 'Cuda Project
    1971 'Cuda Project
    1998 Dodge Ram 1500
    2003 Dodge Dakota Sport
    1979 Plymouth Arrow
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