1969 rear vent (plenum)

[Jim M.]

I'm getting ready to install the new carpet in the rear of my coupe and before I do, I need to figure out the correct routing for the rear vent vaccum hose. Nothing on this car seems to be where it's supposed to be so I'm skeptical that the current routing is correct. The small metal tube coming down the passenger side of the transmission tunnel, presently goes through the back wall where the tunnel meets, then exits through a hole above that location and the rubber hose then heads over to the actuator but doesn't appear to be long enough. The assembly manual doesn't appear to be much help. Has anyone else had this problem? Jim

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 rear vent (plenum)

Hi Jim,
Is there any sign of the 2 clips for the metal tube on the bulkhead behind the seat and the 3 up over the wheel well? These may give you a hint about the proper routing. Your description sounds correct.
Is it possible that the metal tube is pulled too far forward (toward the heater/ defroster control) and some of it's length is being used up there rather than in the rear where you need it?
Regards,
Alan

[Jim M.]

Re: 1969 rear vent (plenum)

Hi Alan, hope I'm not repeating this but for some reason, know only to the cyber gods, I just lost my reply. I do have two clips on the bulkhead behind the drivers seat but at the moment they are holding the fiberoptic line from the rear I think and the clips do not appear to be large enough for both but I could be wrong about that. The assembly manual appears to indicate that these clips are also used for the vacuum hose. Right now my metal tube comes down the passenger side of the tranny hump and exits into the storage compartment area where the bulkhead meets the tranny hump then up through a hole that also has the wires for the middle storage compartment courtesy light. This setup sure doesn't look right to me.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 rear vent (plenum)

Hi Jim,
On my 71 the tube comes back along the transmission hump held in odd little clips sized for the tubing, goes over the hump right at the bulkhead and across the bulkhead on the seat side of the bulkhead held in 2 more of those clips about 4 inches above the fiberglass floor. It then goes up the lock pillar to the floor of the rear compartment at the joint with the wheelwell.
I just checked the hose at the actuator. The hose comes out from under the carpet at the opening for the plenum drain tube. There's enough length so that there's an extra 'loop' in the hose. There's about 9" of hose outside the carpet but I can't tell how much is under it running to the metal tube.
I just found I had a picture!!! Here you go!!!
Regards,
Alan

[Jim M.]

Re: 1969 rear vent (plenum)

Wow Alan, thanks so much for the picture. That was just what I needed. I was pretty sure that the way mine was setup when I got the car was not correct. Now I'm set to install carpet. Not sure how that will go but can't be any worse then what came with the car and hopefully much better. Jim

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 rear vent (plenum)

Hi Jim,
I'm glad that picture helped.
The rear carpet is a trip! The flat piece is so EASY and the wheel well pieces are so DIFFICULT!
You need to try to find the special scissors the trim people use that has a dial that can be set to 'cut' and 'un-cut'.
It sure does look nice back there when the job is done.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan