THE Chevelle
ONLINE INTERCHANGE MANUAL:
1964-72 AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS (OEM)
If you do not desire a replacement
A/C unit by Vintage Air, this section is based on the parts that are
available from GM and various aftermarket companies like Modine and Factory
Air for 1964-72 Chevelles and other GM A-bodies.
The factory cutouts on the firewall differ between A/C
and non A/C vehicles, and this section applies to concours restorations
in which an OEM assembly is used. Internal parts vary, and the electrical
parts, like the wiring harnesses, switches, and relays, and A/C casing
assemblies, which will differ between every other model year. If restoring
an original A/C unit, it is best to purchase new components; using the
old stuff is like playing Russian Roulette.
A 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan, now a decaying
hulk. Look carefully at the firewall. The Cutlass was originally
a factory A/C car, since there is a small opening on the firewall.
Non-A/C cars will have a larger opening.
There are some non-A/C GMs that have aftermarket conversions, and most
of the replacement parts for these units are hard to locate. Companies
like Sears and John E. MItchell have produced these aftermarket units,
and most of these companies have either discontinued replacement parts,
and/or have went out of business.
The parts listed are the usual A/C components
that are commonly replaced when the A/C system is serviced.
EVAPORATOR CORE
This is the component that is located
on the firewall, on the passenger side, which sticks out, and often referred
to as the suitcase.
1968-72 Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, and GMC Sprint
*AC-Delco P/N 15-6184, which replaces
OEM #3016985 for 1968 vehicles, and #3016987 for 1969-72 vehicles.
1968-72 BOP A-cars
*A/C Delco P/N 15-6177 fits 1968-72
BOP A-Bodies, which includes the 1969-72 Grand Prix. Note: the BOP part
has a different line arrangement.
DRIER ASSEMBLY
*Drier assembly (AC-Delco P/N 15-1240)
fits 1968-72 Chevelle/El Camino/Monte Carlo, as well as 1968/69 Buick Skylarks.
*P/N 15-1242 fits 1968-72 Pontiac Lemans
and Grand Prix, as well as 1970-72 Buick Skylarks.
POA VALVE
*POA valve (AC-Delco P/N 15-5193) and expansion valve (P/N
15-5325) are service replacement parts available from AC-Delco, but may
differ from the original.
BLOWER MOTOR
*Blower motor (AC-Delco 15-87) fits all 1964-72 A-bodies;
there is a universal replacement available under P/N 15-8196.
HEATING AND ENGINE COOLING
This section covers engine cooling as well as heating.
There are service replacements available, and both are manufactured by
AC-Delco, Modine, and Factory Air. The fit and function is the same, except
for the radiator, which might include characteristics like rib design or
overall appearance.
If you desire a lower cost alternative, the wrecking
yard is a good place to look, but be careful of heating/cooling components
that have signs of corrosion, which can be characterized by the green residue
that occurs when copper corrodes. Be careful of bent or damaged tubes,
this is a costly repair.
HEATER CORE ASSEMBLY
*GM 3014782 (OEM) interchanges with the following:
-
1969-72 Chevelle/El Camino/Monte Carlo
-
1969/70 Chevrolet Full Size
-
1969-72 Pontiac Lemans and Grand Prix
-
1968-72 Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile
Cutlass
Originally used with A/C equipped vehicles, dimensions 9 1/2 x 6 3/8 x
2 inches.
*Modine 4R702190 (service replacement) interchanges
with the following:
-
1968 Chevelle/El Camino
-
1965-68 Chevrolet and Pontiac Full
Size (e.g. Impala, Caprice, Catalina, Bonneville)
-
1968 Pontiac Tempest/Lemans.
Originally used with A/C equipped vehicles, dimensions 9 3/8 x 6 1/4 x
2 1/2 inches.
*GM 3014083 fits non-A/C vehicles, which covers all 1964-72
A-Bodies, dimensions 9 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 2 inches.
RADIATOR
The radiator dimensions vary with application, like
engine size, and which options are available, like HD cooling and A/C.
-
The base radiator (commonly found on
six cylinder and non-A/C cars) measured 20 3/4 x 16 1/8 inches, and the
HD radiator measures 28 3/8 x 16 1/8 inches.
-
The HD radiator is the most preferred,
and the cores varied from 2 to 4 (sometimes five, typical for those that
find radiators from a Cadillac) rows.
-
The cooling tank on 1972 models is
angled, and this distinguished it from the earlier radiators. There is
also a provision for a coolant recovery system, which is the small tube
that is located next to the radiator cap.
-
For the dimensions that involve the
automatic tranny cooling lines, the earlier spacing measures 12 inches,
while 1972 and later radiators measures at 8 1/2 inches.
The dimensions may be a tip when measuring a used
radiator salvaged from the wrecking yard.
-
Other GM vehicles from the 1970s (1971-76)
may use a radiator that may fit into a Chevelle or other GM A-body, and
this means that finding a radiator for an LS6 or GEN VI 502 big block (a
four core) could mean looking under the hood of a Cadillac (e.g. a Coupe
De Ville) or BOP full size vehicle (LeSabre, Bonneville, Ninety Eight).
-
Another way to locate a radiator is
to reference the Hollander Interchange Manual, which has different engine
options that interchange with what might be needed.
Note: Some of the radiators from the BOP/C cars of 1971-76
vintage will have a fitting on the RH tank for the 3/4" heater hose, which
is the primary hose that flows antifreeze back into the radiator. Most
of the OEM part numbers have been discontinued, and the wrecking yard might
be the logical choice.
Copyright 1997, 1999
LSC Publications. If are there any comments, or any other interchange along
the GM line that will allow donor parts for a Chevelle, feel free to e-mail
me at seributra_d@yahoo.com.
References
*A/C components and part numbers courtesy of AC/Delco
and Modine
