Will a 1971 AC System swap to a 1970 non-Air car?

[Tim S.]

A friend wants to install factory air system on a 1970 Corvette. He has found a complete AC system from a 1971
corvette. Will it install in the 1970. It is a small block convertible. He does not want to use an aftermarket AC
system.
Thank You
Tim

[Terry M.]

Re: Will a 1971 AC System swap to a 1970 non-Air car?

A friend wants to install factory air system on a 1970 Corvette. He has found a complete AC system from a 1971
corvette. Will it install in the 1970. It is a small block convertible. He does not want to use an aftermarket AC
system.
Thank You
Tim

Yes, sort of, BUT:
Significant modifications will have to be made to the firewall of the 1970. He should take the pattern and dimensions of the 1971 in order to modify the 1970 firewall. He will also need the electrical AC harness and vacuum harness from both the engine compartment and the dash of the 1971. He will also need the heater/AC controls from the 1971. And the 1971 alternator because it will/should be higher output than the 1970.
He should seal up the Astro vent doors in the rear bulkhead of the 1970.
There is a fiberglass channel on the passenger side inner fender that protects the AC hoses as they pass outside the radiator (core) support. It will be more than a small challenge to get this off without damaging it. It might be easier to get the whole inner fender from the 1971.

A study of the C60 section of the AIM for either 1970 or 1971 (ideally both) will be an advantage before he undertakes this task.
He will need more than a small amount of skill and perseverance to accomplish this and make it all work properly. And if he intends to have the car judged at either NCRS or NCCB he will need a lot of pictures of the 1971 before he disassembles it. Those pesky judges are prone to find the smallest detail that is missed -- like the fact that for the 1970 with AC he will need an 884 61amp alternator. He will not get those numbers from the 1971, and that alternator, properly date coded, is like chicken lips. And he will pay dearly for a correct one.

Disclaimer: This is all I could think of right off the top of my head, but I wouldn't be surprised I forgot something.

[Tim S.]

Re: Will a 1971 AC System swap to a 1970 non-Air car?

Terry

Thank you I think he will probably not want to do all that. I sure would not!!

[Terry M.]

Re: Will a 1971 AC System swap to a 1970 non-Air car?

Terry

Thank you I think he will probably not want to do all that. I sure would not!!

Nor would I.

And i just occurred to me another potential difference, thanks to another post here. If the 1970 is a base motor manual transmission; he will need the radiator and hoses from the 1971 and I think he will need the core support as well.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Will a 1971 AC System swap to a 1970 non-Air car?

Cheaper to sell the 70 and fix up the 71.

[Joe L.]

Re: Will a 1971 AC System swap to a 1970 non-Air car?

Nor would I.

And i just occurred to me another potential difference, thanks to another post here. If the 1970 is a base motor manual transmission; he will need the radiator and hoses from the 1971 and I think he will need the core support as well.

Terry------


...and a different waterpump pulley.