1968 AC drier question

[Russ S.]

The 1968 NCRS judging guide says "originals were like an old style quart milk bottle with the diameter tapering toward the top. Service replacements have a constant circumference." GM part number 3012944. The one I just bought from Pace Car Jeff is straight and he says that is correct for 68. Is the judging manual correct?

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Does the one you just bought have the placement at the top to view the R12 in the charged system?

[Russ S.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Yes there is a window in the top.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Judging manual correct, the originals have a reduced diameter as you get to the top.

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Are you saying that 67 and 68 used different dryers?
this is 67

7f807490.jpg
7fb2ee30.jpg

Doesn't the new style dryer start in 69 - and in that case the viewing window is off to one side?

this one is 69 and later...!BrF0ig!B2k~$(KGrHqIOKiQEu3LsPc+GBLyMV!35Yg~~_35.JPG

[William C.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

"Reciever assembly" I believe is what you are referring to, and the 1970 Parts book calls out P/N 3155342 for '63-67, and 3012944 for '68-up....

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Does anyone have a judging manual? might just be a different part number cause of the NUB... A 70 parts manual will only show the replacement part numbers...

68 experts.... Where is the viewing glass located on the 68?

67 had a center viewing glass
69 had a glass off to the side..

[Paul O.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

The viewing port location was the same from 1968 thru 1972 in the center. 1973 and on can not comment on that this time.

[William C.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

OK, lets try one more time. I only worked for GM for about 35 years so I think I can verify that they did not change part numbers without a corresponding change in the part but the sequence from the '83 parts book is as follows-1963-1967 part number 3155342, 1968-72 Part number 3046236, 1973-up VIR was incorporated and ran part number 9956810 '73-'77 So if a '69 is different from a '65, so is a '68 different from a '67.

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

anyone have a picture of a 68 drier?

[Larry M.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Jeff:

The 1967 and earlier cars had a receiver/drier with identical sized inlet and outlet connections. Beginning in 1968, this was changed so that the sizes were different to avoid incorrect hookups by the mechanics. I am not certain when the driers changed from the straight sidewall design to the later tapered sidewall design. I THOUGHT it was in 1969, but I could be mistaken. Perhaps both the sidewall and the fitting size change were at the same time??

You are correct in that we need for some original 1968 owners to weigh in.

Larry

Are you saying that 67 and 68 used different dryers?
this is 67

[ATTACH=CONFIG]46731[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]46730[/ATTACH]

Doesn't the new style dryer start in 69 - and in that case the viewing window is off to one side?

this one is 69 and later...[ATTACH=CONFIG]46732[/ATTACH]

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

yes William, but GM did sometimes use the same part number for a visually redesigned part.
If the part was reconfigured in 1969 it might still have the same number as 68 or 58? - what is the part number for 67 68 and 69 Camaro driers?
Doesn't anyone have a picture or the description from the 68 judging manual?

OK, lets try one more time. I only worked for GM for about 35 years so I think I can verify that they did not change part numbers without a corresponding change in the part but the sequence from the '83 parts book is as follows-1963-1967 part number 3155342, 1968-72 Part number 3046236, 1973-up VIR was incorporated and ran part number 9956810 '73-'77 So if a '69 is different from a '65, so is a '68 different from a '67.

[Dale C.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Both production Reciever & Dehydrator (dryer) for 68 and 69 were the same PN 3012944 (AIM C60, B1). The plumbing (tubes, brackets and clamps) were quite different for 68 & 69 but the tubes to dryer connections all called for the same 8526398 "o" ring. The 72 parts book called for service 68 to 72 as the same 3012944 under 9.195. The 68 Chevy Service manual shows illustrations for all chevy models as a straight walled dryer but the corvette is depicted as that milk bottle type with the replaceable sight glass in the top and offset. Look at Corvette Central and Paragon for their 68 Drier. Also if I remember correctly both the inlet and outlet are the same thread on my 68.
Dale

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Except paragon shows the same drier for 68-72 as they do for 63-67. - I think we can all agree that is not a good guide.
I thought the thread size changed with the 69 model rear and that is why the drier changed. Can't believe Corvette is different then all the other GM models.
If the thread sizes are the same in and out, then there was no reason to change. All models changed in 69.

[William C.]

Re: 1968 AC drier question

Seldom if ever. To answer your question directly, the system was redesigned in '68 so the chance of a carry-over part with different configuration but same part number is Miniscule, and I'm being charitable.