Would like your option

I just installed a new Vintage Air AC/Heat/Defrost set up in my 53 wagon (posted pic last weekend) but do to the size of the unit there is no where to mount the two center vents. I have been thinking of my options such as fabbing up an under dash pod to fit two vents and maybe my stereo (no room in the glovebox anymore). While cruizing Ebay, I found an old heater and it got me thinking that this may be my answer. I would hog out the unit and just use the main shell and route two vents into it. It would fit in the center on the tranny hump or just under the dash plus it would possibly fit in with the old car look and not like something that was a last minute idea. I would really like to hear your thoughts and I have posted a few pics of different heaters I found on ebay (sound would allow a stereo to possibly be hidden also... which one do you like best or do you think I should scrap the idea??

Here are a few

Heater #1

 

Heater #2 (remember I would paint these to match the dash and probably repolish the stainless or rechrome the metal on any of these selections)

 

Heater #3

 

Heater #3 in the open position

 

Heater #4

 

heater #4 in the open position, I could possibly mount the stereo in the upper opening and two vents in the lower

 

Style #5

 

Heater #5 in the open position, (would be nice for directing air)

 

Heater #6 (here is a deco styled unit - forget to two pods with it)

 

Heater #7

 

Heater #8 Another style that may allow a stereo in the front and two vents on the side

 

Heater #9 (another stereo / vent combo possibility)

 

Here is a pic of my dash to give you a reference

 

they are all cool but I would look for something from '53 and newer.

that's just my option

Paul

 

I think you have a great idea. Modern convenience in a vintage shell. Keep the older look, but still enjoy the benefit of A/C and heat. The best part is that most people would not even realize that heater was gutted and in fact was blowing cold air out!

 

or fab one up similar to;

 

All of those are really cool heaters from the 30s-40's. They wouldn't look right in a 53.IMHO

You also want to think about the air movement after it leaves the vents. They make some decent vents that attach to the bottom of the dash. I think you would want the vent up where the air could be directed up over the front seat towards the rear of the big cavern. Hot air rises and that is why the heaters are close to the floor. Cool air ducted to the floor will tend to stay there.

 

To get a direct shot at you (the driver) maybe move one of the gauges from the three in the dash pod to below the dash with the other one. Gut an old broken gauge maybe.

 

diggin the second option, maybe even turn it upside down?

 

Personally, I would not use any or the heaters shown in that wagon if it was mine.
With the room on the flat panel on the lower portion of the dash, I would simply cut and trim to fit outlets from another car in the center and both sides.
There are bunches of cool outlets available at the Pick and Pull.

Maybe some from the 50s and 60s.

Then, you will not lose any floor space.


Jim

 

Boones,

I hafta agree with what Paul said and pictures of the underdash units that he posted. The art deco ones would look confused in your car, especially since the seats look newer than '53.

Mix-and-Match = Bad

Consistency = Good

What era are you going for? I have an underdash unit from a '65 Merc that looks pretty similar to the first one that Paul posted. PM me if'n you're interested.


Ed

 

For maximum effectivness,the outlets for the AC need to be as high as possible in the dash.
Hot air rises,cold air sinks.
That's why all the late models have all their AC vents up high.

An old under dash AC unit could look good,(some were nicer than others)and provide a good compromise on vent location.Mount it so the air blows up towards the faces of the occupants.Some of the later units have a very 60's rectangular look to them,similar to the rectangular street rod vents.Your car needs something a little softer visually.

An old accessory heater would look fine,it's old.Everything old looks good together,as long as the design is unified by common elements.
If it was on the floor,and was painted to match the carpet,most people would never see it.
Unfortunately,I think it would put the cold air too far away from where it's needed.
If you go with the heater,mount it on a bit of an angle so it's easier to see the stereo and the air blows up towards the occupants.Some of the examples shown could be mounted upside down under the dash,
set back a couple inches.

At the end of the day,if it looks good,it is good.

 

I am undecided which is why I am asking for options.

Here is what the interior looks like now with the newly recovered bench. (the buckets finally gave up the ghost)

 

and a straight on view. (the voltmeter is going up in the dash gauge area as soon as my new chrome plated bezel gets back from the plating shop (removed the center post and had it filled so it is not just a perimeter bezel)

As I said before I still need to find a decent method of mouting the stereo and I will not put it in the dash.. Vents yes, stereo no...

 

I think I'd use #8 and try to make the combo out of it. Maybe use some angle cut 45-90 degree tubing and remove the side doors. That way you could kinda get the air blowing towards you a bit more. Maybe use some chrome exhaust pieces for ducting.

 

I like #5, but that's just me.

 

Boones ..I see you have one of those under dash gauge panels. What about using a 3 hole gauge pod and put the AC in the outer two. Or a 4 gauge holder and put the AC in the middle and a gauge on either side. Then move the tach up into the empty hole in the dash.
I like the heater idea too.
Clark

 

Boones here's a 3 hole gauge panel under the dash with the tach up on the dash. Ya gotta see the tach if you're gonna win the HAMB drags.
Clark

 

#2,3,5 remind me of a Jukebox theme polished painted striped
the would all look good mounted on the trans tunnel
JR