What are the differences between 65-66 and 67-73 Factory A/C

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convx4

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I have a non A/C 66 Plymouth valiant, and want to add a factory A/C system.
What makes the 65-66 units different from the 67-73 units?
Anyone have some pictures you are willing to post.
 
I don't know about early, but 67 --later the firewalls are different than non AC
 
I don't know about early, but 67 --later the firewalls are different than non AC

65/66 AC and non-AC firewalls all all started out the same with no cut-outs, holes etc. Then they were stamped for cut-outs depending if heater only or factory Air. The major differences are the larger hole for the blower motor, the holes for the AC lines, mounting holes for both units and the electrical connector is horizontal rather than vertical (the AC part interferes with the vertical connector). Can a 65/66 non-AC firewall be converted to an AC firewall - sure. Take lots of measurements, have a template for various holes and drill. Rather than try and cut out for the larger blower motor, I found it easier to weld the donor section in my 65 Dart non-AC firewall.
 
I understand that the holes in the firewall are different between a/c non a/c cars. I can measure and drill holes.

So, Am I looking for under dash parts from a 66-72 factory A/C car, Or 65-66 car?

I thought the the 65-66 Factory A/C cars used a 4 push button dash controller, while the 67-up used a 5 push button dash controller.

I have a 70 dart with factory A/C that I can use for a reference. This is my first early a-body.
 
So, Am I looking for under dash parts from a 66-72 factory A/C car, Or 65-66 car?

The 65/66 underdash parts are the same other than the actual bezels. I don't know if 67-72 is the same or even similar as I don't have anything to compare to the 65/66.

I thought the the 65-66 Factory A/C cars used a 4 push button dash controller, while the 67-up used a 5 push button dash controller.

I parted out a 65 Dart GT with factory air, a 66 Dart GT with factory air and pulled all the AC stuff from a 66 Barracuda in a local pic 'n' pull and all used the 5 push button controller. Got a couple of 65 Valiant/Barracuda heater/AC bezels and they're 5 button also. You might be thinking of the 65 and earlier B Bodies which did use the 4 button controller.

I have a 70 dart with factory A/C that I can use for a reference. This is my first early a-body.

If you'd like I can make a paper template of a 65/66 firewall with all the pertinent holes needed to convert to factory AC so you can compare it to your 70.
 
I found this post on this forum, and it has a picture showing the A/C lines low on the fire wall. Also states its a factory ac car.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=246217

Also found another picture of an early a-body on the web that shows the A/C lines up by the hood torsion bars. Gold barracuda

What is correct for a 66?

I never did find any pictures of a valiant or barracuda that show the dash clearly, so I assumed it was like my 65 doge cornets A/C with 4 buttons.

A five push button control switch is at least still obtainable.
The red interior picture is taken from the web some where.
Last picture is of a 71 dart fire wall taken from the web some where.
 

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I found this post on this forum, and it has a picture showing the A/C lines low on the fire wall. Also states its a factory ac car.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=246217

It appears this picture is showing a dealer installed set-up using factory parts. I'd bet if an interior picture were available, it would show a knee knocker style AC. That's why the lines are down low.

Also found another picture of an early a-body on the web that shows the A/C lines up by the hood torsion bars. Gold barracuda

What is correct for a 66?

That is correct for a 65/66 A Body.

I never did find any pictures of a valiant or barracuda that show the dash clearly, so I assumed it was like my 65 doge cornets A/C with 4 buttons.

A five push button control switch is at least still obtainable.
The red interior picture is taken from the web some where.
Last picture is of a 71 dart fire wall taken from the web some where.

Give me a few minutes and I'll snap a couple of pics of an early A AC firewall and a 65 Dart and a 65 Valiant heater/AC bezel
 
OK here you go!

First pic is of a donor firewall for location of various holes. I will remove the heater blower area when I convert my 65 Barracuda to AC.

The 2nd pic is of the firewall in my 65 Dart after I added the blower area from another donor and added all the various holes for everything. I've still got to change the vertical firewall harness connector to horizontal so it will clear the AC box. The heater and AC box fit perfectly.

3rd pic shows the 5 button bezels for a 65 Dart (top one) and a 65 Valiant/Barracuda.

Hope all this helps
 

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Thanks for the pictures 65 Dartman

What are you refereeing too when you say:
"I've still got to change the vertical firewall harness connector to horizontal so it will clear the AC box."

I measured my 70 dart fire wall and added the info to the picture.

Looking at my 66 fire wall it looks like the A/C hole location is different may be 5" or 5 1/2".
65 Dartman is there any way you can add some dimensions to your picture? See attached picture

Thanks for clearing some things up.
 

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Thanks for the pictures 65 Dartman

What are you refereeing too when you say:
"I've still got to change the vertical firewall harness connector to horizontal so it will clear the AC box."

Poor choice of words! I should have said the wiring harness bulkhead connector needs to be horizontal rather than vertical so as to clear the AC unit.
I've attached a picture of my Dart's firewall with the vertical opening (haven't done anything to it yet) and another of the donor showing part of the horizontal opening. Also need to mention when converting to AC, you need to use the 65/66 V8 (and slant 6 with factory AC) gas pedal and cable assembly. The rotating rod (for the slant) just won't work.

Also took the measurements you asked about:

A - 3/4in
B - 6 inches
C - 7 inches
D - 5 & 1/8 inch
E - 4 & 5/8 inch
F - 3/4 inch
G - 3/4 inch
You didn't ask for them but the large hole for the upper AC line measures 1 & 1/2 inches while the smaller is 1 & 1/8 inches,

Looking at the difference between the 65/66 firewall and later, it appears that when converting to AC on the early A's one will need to use the 65/66 under dash components. Any other questions, ask and I'll try to answer them.
 

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Hello,

Its an old post, but I have a new question from a new member. I am helping a buddy convert his '65 Valiant to factory A/C. With the help of the photos in this post and the measurements provided by 65 Dartman, a have a good template for the firewall. Would a member provide the final measurement I need, the distance from the upper edge of the large blower motor hole to the firewall pinch weld right above it? Thanks
 
Hello,

Its an old post, but I have a new question from a new member. I am helping a buddy convert his '65 Valiant to factory A/C. With the help of the photos in this post and the measurements provided by 65 Dartman, a have a good template for the firewall. Would a member provide the final measurement I need, the distance from the upper edge of the large blower motor hole to the firewall pinch weld right above it? Thanks

i was no longer following this thread until Ulf @65dartcharger liked one of my posts. After I get home I can get any measurements you need as my project is still under construction with no components installed at the firewall.
 
i was no longer following this thread until Ulf @65dartcharger liked one of my posts. After I get home I can get any measurements you need as my project is still under construction with no components installed at the firewall.
This is how my firewall looked like after a new shot of paint.

20190722_165610.jpg
 
i was no longer following this thread until Ulf @65dartcharger liked one of my posts. After I get home I can get any measurements you need as my project is still under construction with no components installed at the firewall.

Thanks, 65 Dartman. At your convenience, the measurement I would like is referenced in this pic.

firewall image.jpg
 
The distance from the bottom of the cowl pinch weld to the blower motor hole is about an inch. See pic in post #15. Thanks again for measurement help from 65Dartman. With the other photos and measurements in this thread, anyone else should be able to make a workable template.
 
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