Heat Procrastination

Well, been a little too hot to work in the shop for a while, but I did get some sandblasting done on the running boards and I got the holes cut in the cab for the AC hoses. I have some of the hoses mocked up and now making some brackets out of the 2 1/2" stainless steel exhaust pipe to hold the dryer. The dryer keeps moisture out of the system.  It's a little hard to explain so when I get it installed a picture will help. Hopefully the heat will subside soon.

Back to the AC

Went ahead with the decision to put the AC controls between the gauges and the radio face plate. I layed out the area to be cut on some masking tape and then drilled 4 holes in the corner areas  Next I cut the hole out with a die grinder and a cutting disc. Cleaned up the burr's and everything fit fine.
I think it all lines up symmetrically with the gauges, radio and the ash tray Almost like it was put there 64 years ago
Need to start to laying out the hose routes now. Also need to get some heater hose. It wasn't included in the kit. Found they didn't include a couple of fittings that was supposed to be in the kit for the AC hoses, so need to call Vintage Air and straighten that out. More drillin and cuttin coming up.

A/C and Other Stuff

Got the A/C box mounted under the dash. Had to make 3 out of 4 brackets, but that isn't unusual when it's not a sure fit system. Spent way too long trying to fit the controlls in the area where the ash tray mount is. Didn't like the way I did it,  so will ponder that some more. May put it between the gauges and the radio. Looks like it might fit there.
While rummaging around in some of the old parts boxes I found I had forgotten to install the front shocks. Mounted them yesterday.
Working on the front inner fender panels today. Had to cut out and make room where the new front suspension was installed.
Decided to do some more sandblasting today as the weather is finally getting cooler.  Worked on the left running board. Need more sand. Will get that tomorrow. Got to get plugging on the sheetmetal.

Defroster Vents

The defroster vents supplied by Vintage Air are plastic and not as wide as the original ones. I would have had to weld up the old holes in the dash and drill two new ones for mounting the new vents. I decided to use the old ones and then found out the old vent hose was 1-3/4", while the new hose is 2" in diameter. After some head scratching I remembered I had some 2" exhaust pipe left over and found it just slipped over the old vent pipes. They were a little loose, so I mixed up some metal filler and packed it inside. When it dried, I sanded the rough spots out and painted them. They will work great and will be a lot sturdier. Plus they are original equipment. Not that that makes any difference now.
Got to install the main box under the dash next.

Installing the Air Conditioning

Opened all the boxes for the Air Conditioning today, an actually sat down and read the instructions.  I already had the pump installed on the engine, so next I installed the condenser in front of the radiator. Didn't like the brackes that were furnished so made my own out of 1/8" x 1/2" flatbar. Drilled three 3/16" mounting holes in each and gave each a couple of 45 degree bends for a small offset to bring the condenser about 1/2" away from the radiator. Next I have to install the defroster vents in the dash.

Driveway Rake

Stayed out of the garage for a while because of the heat. While resting in the cool of the airconditioning I decided I need to make a rake to smooth out the area where they tore up my lawn while installing the new septic system. I thought it might also work as a driveway groomer.
I had some scrap angle iron laying around so cut some 3/8 bar stock and rebar 2 inches long (45 Pieces) and welded them to two 45" long 2" x 1/4 inch pieces of angle iron. Had to buy some 1/4" x 1-1/2" angle iron for the side pieces and the runners that hold the 8 x 16 concrete weight blocks.
Tried it out yesterday and this morning after adding three weight blocks. Works great, and no welds broke.
As you can see, my best helper is also a great tester.