Installing A/C & Wipers

[hrosenthal]

I am going to be installing both A/C and wipers.
Should these be installed before the engine is put in?
Thanks

[GWL]

What type A/C unit are you installing?

I think it will be a lot easier to do the A/C and wiper install before the engine install. I am using the Whitby A/C unit and it changed the way you are able to mount the wiper motor.

I just find it easy to jump into the engine compartment and fit parts without the engine in the way.

Here are some pictures of my install with the wiper motor mounted differently than designed.

Shows my aluminum wiper mounting plates in the right center of the picture mounted to the 3/4" rail
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers016.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers016.jpg.html)

Here I'm standing inside the engine compartment, A/C on the right and motor mounted to that 3/4" bar
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers015.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers015.jpg.html)

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers014.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers014.jpg.html)

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers013.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers013.jpg.html)

With the body on I am able to remove that wiper motor if needed
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers012.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers012.jpg.html)

Wiper mounting plates
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers010.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Windshield%20Wipers/WindshieldWipers010.jpg.html)

Of course these pictures may not pertain to your system

George

[FFR-HamptonVa]

George,
Any other pics & / or tips you can provide on the Whitby / Vintage System? I will be mounting with a 4.6 SOHC Engine.

spjawest@verizon.net

Thanks,
Sean

[hrosenthal]

What type A/C unit are you installing?

I think it will be a lot easier to do the A/C and wiper install before the engine install. I am using the Whitby A/C unit and it changed the way you are able to mount the wiper motor.

George -

I am using Whitby A/C also. I will follow your guidelines. To be clear, you had to fabricate the wiper mounting plates because the A/C unit interfered with the stock install. Correct?

Thanks for the info.

H

[GWL]

I don't want to get to far off base but my set up will be a little different from yours as I made some radical changes to my firewall and then added an insulated box around my A/C unit. I followed Greg_M's lead on the box but took it a step farther with Pyrogel insulation inside the mirrored stainless steel box. For more information on my firewall search GWL and Pyrogel on ffcars.com. I may have some fitting problems with my 302 EFI engine as noted in the pictures below. The fix will be to modify the insulated box where the interference may occur with the upper manifold of my EFI system.

Here is a good article on the A/C install
http://www.kitcarmag.com/techarticles/142_0501_quality_roadsters_hvac_system_install/

Here is the mirrored stainless steel insulated box, it still has a protective plastic coating on it.
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Air%20Conditioning%20and%20%20Heater/IMG_8877.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Air%20Conditioning%20and%20%20Heater/IMG_8877.jpg.html)

The engine is not level and I will be adding a transmission to it to test the fit to the A/C unit. I have an empty mocked up engine that I am using for fitting everything up. It has been in and out several times, as well as my body on and off several times. Modifications:eek:

This picture shows the closeness the unit and manifold may be. Now as mentioned before, my firewall is different. It has moved the A/C unit into the engine compartment by about a half an inch. Then the insulated box will move the unit another half an inch more. Look closely to my firewall in the first picture in my first post. It is made up of the original firewall, now at .090", a layer of 10mm of Pyrogel, then a .050" of mirrored stainless steel facing the engine compartment.
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Air%20Conditioning%20and%20%20Heater/Firewall082.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Air%20Conditioning%20and%20%20Heater/Firewall082.jpg.html)

Sean, I'll send out some more pictures later but do realize, as mentioned, my set up is a bit/a lot different than others may be.

Yes, the plates are my modification to relocate the wiper motor.

I've got to get to work but I'll check this thread later today, George

[CraigS]

I can't guarantee about the wipers retaining automatic parking but be aware that the wiper motor can be mounted on the driver side of the car if needed. I have seen several posts over the years where this was done so maybe a search would pop one up. Also try the other forum.

[John4337]

I used the Northracecars A/C system and mounted mine in the top of the drivers side footbox. It's tight, but fits.

John

[snakebit31]

Here is the mirrored stainless steel insulated box, it still has a protective plastic coating on it.
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt180/GWL-FFR/Air%20Conditioning%20and%20%20Heater/IMG_8877.jpg (http://s609.photobucket.com/user/GWL-FFR/media/Air%20Conditioning%20and%20%20Heater/IMG_8877.jpg.html)


GWL, I know this is a coupe, but I think the interference with the small block, and mounting locations should be close. I started with an AC box similar to your's shape, but had to modify it to clear the passenger side valve cover.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/snakebit31/coupe%20photos/EngineIn13.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/snakebit31/media/coupe%20photos/EngineIn13.jpg.html)

Rob

[DaleG]

The box is a very nice touch, looks great! But, from a practical standpoint, isn't the Whitby AC unit internally insulated?