'73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

[Rich C.]

My '73's A/C condensor has, on the upper 'inlet' tube, a rubber 'T' shaped cover on it. Just above the connection fitting, I don't know if at one time it covered the threaded connection or not. I've seen other '73's with it, did this continue to '82, as they used the same condensor from '73-'82. I have a NOS condensor in the box, (original part#, not the replacement) this does not have the rubber piece. Any thoughts to it's function? I believe I can heat it up to slip over the fitting to transfer to my new condensor when the restoration finally happens!

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years

[Terry M.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

I know you didn't ask about 1968 to 1972, but for what it is worth we commonly see that "rubber thingy" on the condenser tube on original Corvettes in the time frame 1968-1972. I believe it was some kind of cover for the condenser tube during shipping, but whatever purpose it served it is on a lot of unmolested Corvettes.

[Ronald L.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

Rich a pic is worth 1000 words, condensers were capped to keep them clean inside due to a very low tolerance of the AC for foreign contamination. If not that as a break away that stays on the car, I'd say a tube stabimizer as these don't do too well with vibration.

[Ken A.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

It was used in production to protect the fitting threads & to mask them during the paint process. Most of these had some paint residue on them, when new.

[Rich C.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

I know you didn't ask about 1968 to 1972, but for what it is worth we commonly see that "rubber thingy" on the condenser tube on original Corvettes in the time frame 1968-1972. I believe it was some kind of cover for the condenser tube during shipping, but whatever purpose it served it is on a lot of unmolested Corvettes.

Is that a judged item on '68-72 cars?

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years

[Terry M.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

Is that a judged item on '68-72 cars?

'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years

Could be. Depends on who is judging and what the judging rules are.

You might want to define what you mean by "judged item." For example:
Are you asking if the judges look for it to be there?
Are you asking if it is judged if it is there?

All those could result in different answers.

Then too you might want to qualify where you are contemplating having your car judged. You could get different answers for NCRS judging (the assUmption when you ask on this board), NCCB Judging or take your pick of any other venue. At least you should qualify your question.

[Rich C.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

Could be. Depends on who is judging and what the judging rules are.

You might want to define what you mean by "judged item." For example:
Are you asking if the judges look for it to be there?
Are you asking if it is judged if it is there?

All those could result in different answers.

Then too you might want to qualify where you are contemplating having your car judged. You could get different answers for NCRS judging (the assUmption when you ask on this board), NCCB Judging or take your pick of any other venue. At least you should qualify your question.

GEEEEEEZ.... I was just asking if you would lose points (68-72) if it wasn't there, OK, lets say a regional or national show. Is it in the 68-72 judging guides? (which I don't have because I DON'T OWN A '68-72 CAR) It's not mentioned in the '73-'74 JG, WHICH I'm sure IS NO WHERE AS THOROUGH AS THE '68-72 JG's. (understandable, due to length of time 68-72 cars have been judged. I'm sorry but the last reply seemed a bit terse. That phrasing kinda makes me feel talked down to! Sorry for wasting space on this site!

NCRS member that isn't yet in the position to body off restore the car or travel across the country for shows, putting two kids through college! But has built a electrical contracting business, paid off his mortgage and will catch up soon!



'73 LS-4 454 owned21 1/2 years

[Terry M.]

Re: '73-'82 A/c Condensor Rubber Thingamajig

GEEEEEEZ.... I was just asking if you would lose points (68-72) if it wasn't there, OK, lets say a regional or national show. Is it in the 68-72 judging guides? (which I don't have because I DON'T OWN A '68-72 CAR) It's not mentioned in the '73-'74 JG, WHICH I'm sure IS NO WHERE AS THOROUGH AS THE '68-72 JG's. (understandable, due to length of time 68-72 cars have been judged. I'm sorry but the last reply seemed a bit terse. That phrasing kinda makes me feel talked down to! Sorry for wasting space on this site!

NCRS member that isn't yet in the position to body off restore the car or travel across the country for shows, putting two kids through college! But has built a electrical contracting business, paid off his mortgage and will catch up soon!

'73 LS-4 454 owned21 1/2 years

I had/have no intention of talking down to you or anyone.

What seems a simple question; isn't. Sorry if that is short, or comes of terse. It is what it is.

The rubber thingamajig is NOT mentioned in the current 1968-1972 NCRS TIM&JGs. Both of those are under revision at this time. The 1968-69 is about finished with revision and it is not in the new version. The 1970-72 revision is not that far along, so who knows now that it is mentioned and identified.

Since other Corvette judging organizations do not have Judging Guides, the thingamajig is not mentioned.

I don't know if that helps you toward figuring out if we judge thingamajigs or not. I hope so.

Good luck with your business in this economy. 42 years with an electric utility put one kid through college for this NCRS member, but after 28 years we are still paying for her schooling, and there is no end in sight. I hope you have a shorter pay period. Since you brought up schooling you give me the chance to offer my advanced wisdom on that subject: "The only thing more expensive than a good education is NO education." And given these times I have often added: "And you can take that to the bank."