63 heater Y duct extension usage question

[Tracy C.]

I don't have this part and I'm hoping someone can help me determine if I should be looking for it. It is the detachable extension for the heater Y duct. My car is a very late 63 (203XX)

The link below show a picture of one. I assume this part fastens to the driver side and deflects air to the pedal area. Were they used for all 63's or phased in/out at some point in production?




63 heater Y duct extension

[Joel T.]

Re: 63 heater Y duct extension usage question

Hi, I have one on my "early" '63... I had to repair the ears in order to get it to the point where I could re-install it. I've looked for replacements but it seems nobody makes them. You can find them on e-Bay from time to time but they are expensive and typically not in good shape.

To your question, they were installed on all C2's as best as I know.... you don't "need" it but will probably want one to complete the car.

Hope this helps,

Joel

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 heater Y duct extension usage question

Thanks Joel for your input.

I believe in 64 - 67 the Y duct had a molded in extension as part of the duct that eliminated the need for this part.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: 63 heater Y duct extension usage question

Trace, I have one on my April built 63. The extension directs air to the drivers upper legs and lap. The left radio side panel is cut for the extension. As far as I know all 63's had the extension.

Harry

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Hmmm, wait a minute...

I have a late '63 #21102. When I finished my restoration many years ago, I found this part and wondered where it went. I couldn't remember if it actually came out of my car or if I just picked it up somewhere. There were no obvious holes for it to cover or attach to. So in the parts bin it went.

I eventually scoured the AIM looking for it. The heater pages didn't show it (sect. 1 B24.00 and B26.00). Then one day I was trolling through the C60 A/C section, and there it was (C60 12.00 p/n 6)! It shows this outlet covering a hole on the end of the heater box that doesn't exist on mine. The hole is clearly indicated in the fiberglass, but it is NOT cut out.

So I have always thought that this outlet was an A/C-only part. Yes? No?

Are your heater boxes cut out for it????

Pete

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Hmmm, wait a minute...

Pete, yes mine is cut. I have seen NOS non-A/C heater boxes that were not cut? This had me always scratching my head. My non-A/C heater box was badly damaged (many pieces missing). The extension was on the box, but mounted incorrectly, by Bubba, due to the damage. So, several years ago, at Carlisle, I looked at every 63. I did not look to see if they were A/C cars and I did not pay attention to VIN sequence, but every car had the extension mounted. I made some drawings and from those I rebuilt my heater box.

Harry

[Clem Z.]

could it be a case of monkey see monkey do

guys with 63 W/O see a 63 with and add it to be correct even if some did not have it. JMHO

[Tracy C.]

Re: Hmmm, wait a minute...

Thanks Gordon,

I guess this is why I'm confused. My heater box and duct does not have any logical location this thing would seem to fit.

Certainly interested in the findings of others, especially if someone has picture of it installed.

Thanks to all,
tc

[Duke W.]

Re: Hmmm, wait a minute...

Mine had that part from day one - non-A/C, March prodution. IIRC it's retained with just a locating tab and one screw, which is easy to strip out.

Duke

[Tracy C.]

Re: Hmmm, wait a minute...

Does yours mount to the radio side panel like Harry's?

[Duke W.]

Re: Hmmm, wait a minute...

No, it mounts to the heater center duct - above the radio side panel.

I also notice that it is not listed in the AIM section 24, but only in the C-60 section, however, I belive all except C-48 should have it.

Duke

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: Hmmm, wait a minute...

Tracy, sorry if I was confusing, mine mounts to the very upper left side of the heater box, the other side is visible above the left radio side panel. The side panel is configured in such a way to allow the extensio to blow onto the drivers legs and lap.

Harry

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Late '63 Owners!!

Well, isn't this an interesting development? You know, I could really use a heater outlet blowing up onto my upper legs and lap. I've often thought that the heater isn't very efficient in that regard when I'm out on a winter ride. But I'm sure not going to cut into my heater box and mount it in. I guess I'll just keep complaining about it.

I would really like to hear from more late '63 owners on this.

Pete

[Timothy B.]

Re: Late '63 Owners!!

Gordon,

There are two heater boxes used in 1963. The difference is in the area where the defroster cable is attached and the mechanism that controls the defroster door. This design made it necessary for the later 1963 Y duct to be cut on a angle in front to clear the cam mechanism. I'm not sure but this later box may not have had the rectangular hole on the left side cut for the snout. I am told there are three Y ducts used, one is square front and back, another is cut on a angle in the front for clearance of the new defroster cam on the heater box, not sure about the third design but it may have something to do with the passenger side outlets.

The snout can only be used if the heater box has a small rectangular hole cut on the drivers side just above where the Y duct would bolt on and it is attached as Duke says with a locating tab and the same screw that holds the Y duct to the heater box. I hope this dosen't confuse this further and then in 1964 GM fixed it with the Y duct that is used through 1967.

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

HEY! Maybe I figured it out?

I was just out for a ride in the '63 (prepping myself for today's B/J onslaught), and I was musing about this issue. How about this theory...

The early - mid 63's all had this extra outlet (and this seems to be the case despite the AIM). Meanwhile the 64's, with a re-designed Y duct, didn't need it. So for '64, the hole for this outlet was not cut into the end of the heater box.

In another one of those late '63 having '64 parts scenarios, the production line ran short of '63 heater boxes and started phasing in the newly arriving '64 heater boxes at the very end of the line - after all, it's basically the same box. As I recall, my heater box is stamped June 63.

This may also explain how I came up with this extra outlet during my restoration - was it left behind when it couldn't be installed??

Love this stuff.

Pete