Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

[Mike B.]

This one goes out to Skip and anyone else that can help me with my research,

I was hoping you could help me with my research on original '66 427 AC condensers. I've enjoyed your posts and thank you for your responses to my previous '66 L36 AC questions. I tried contacting you through NCRS but no joy. I'm hoping you'll see this thread and respond here. You've said in the past that your '66 AC L36 is VIN 5XXX and that you've owned it for ages. You're definitely the guy to ask this question! My '66 AC L36 VIN is 72XX.

Skip, I'm asking you to please check the appearance of your AC condenser side brackets. I've had a thread before asking for folks to check their L36 AC condenser side brackets for me and I've been fortunate to get some great responses. I'd like to thank Bill Caldwell, Peter Miller and Keith Brodbeck for their reports of their '67 427 AC condensers. I've archived the photos they've sent and will post a few here for clarity of my questions/research.

Through all of the responses from big block and small block AC car owners I've seen trends forming. There's a distinct appearance change among the '63 thru 67 AC condensers. I'll even go so far as to say I'm seeing unique appearances for each year. Not a perfect science since I only have so much data, but there are trends. I'm gonna stick with big and small block '66 and '67 cars for examples.

First, here's some shots of '66 AC condensers. I've only got 3 cars to show you. For the '66 comparisons I'll show each car's left and right sides of their condensers. These 3 cars are:

-'66 300hp small block
-'66 earlier small block (Nov build)
-'66 earlier big block (Dec 1st build) My L36 VIN 72XX

You can mouse over the thumbnails at the bottom of this post for a description of each photo. Skip, these are the type condenser brackets that I have on my '66 L36. There's a chance that mine might be original? I'm very curious to what you'll find on your original earlier '66 L36. Thanks Skip.

After this post, I'll show some comparisons of '67 small and big block AC condensers. Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Now for the shots of small and big block '67 AC condensers. Once again, at the bottom of this post mouse over the thumbnails for a description of each photo. There's the chance that my '66 L36 AC condenser might need to be the type that Bill, Peter and Keith have on their '67 L36 AC cars shown here. I'm very curious to what Skip finds on his earlier '66.

All of these small and big block '67 AC condensers appear to be the same? What do you guys think? I'm sure there were running changes to the '66 and '67 condensers, but so far my archived photos show them to be unique to the year? Here's what I've found so far for the '67's. Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Would all '66-'67 small and big block AC car owners that read this post please report what type condenser brackets you have? ANY photos would be extremely helpful!

Looking at the '67 condenser photos that I just posted, I'm wondering why the '67 AIM calls for a different part number for the 427 vs. the 327 condensers? Same goes for the '66 AIM. Are the brackets the same but the condensers are wider? Does anyone know the width of the small block condensers vs. the big blocks? I've always wondered what the difference is.

I've compiled condenser shots for '65 AC cars but I'm concentrating on the '66 & '67 cars for the big block AC condenser comparison. If anyone wishes for me to post '65 condenser pics, I'll gladly do so. The '65 shots I have are different from these '66 & '67 condensers.

The small block condenser shots that I've shown in these posts are file photos that I got from the NCRS TDB. Thanks to all who posted those pics. The info they show is HUGE!

Mike

[Keith B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Talking to a firend about condenser he told me 65-66 ones had a step in the fins about 1/4 to the top on the out side. Where as 67 do not

[Vernon S.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Hi Mike, I'll get out to the garage later and get back to you.

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Good Morning Keith,

Yes, I just recently found out about the "step" on original condenser fins from Page Campbell. It's such new info to me that I don't know which years had them cut by the manufacturer and which one do not. You say the '65-'66 condensers do. Well, here's some shots of my '66 condenser's outer upper surface area showing this "step" just prior to it's 45 degree bevel cut of the fins. Nice closeups for you all. Mike

[Keith B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Mike it’s funny who you talked too about that as Page is the one who told me about it when I saw him at Carisle when I was talking to him about his NOS one he had for sale

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Excellent Skip!

You're out there! Thanks for responding to this thread. I was just up at Corvette Carlisle trying to find answers to mysteries about originality of certain AC parts on my '66 427. We only found one '66 big block with AC out on the field. I was elated to find that it too was a December '65 built car as mine was. Unfortunately, I saw too many altered parts on the car and soon lost faith in her.

Thanks to prior threads of mine and others on the subjects of big block radiator core supports and condensers I've found answers to the originality of some of my engine bay AC components. Some of the news stung a little but I need to know what's correct on my '66 AC L-36. Bubbuh did a number on her back in the late '70's and removed her easy to get to AC parts. Luckily, years later I was able to get boxes full of parts from another prior owner that were original to the car. And most all of the engine bay AC components. Some of which I've found out weren't her factory originals.

The car was hit in the front end. Evidence shows on two separate occasions. This all occurred in the '70's. Repairs were made. Now for the detective work. Here's what I've figured out so far:

-The radiator core support was changed to a 427 non-AC type with the cross bars
-The fiberglass fan shroud appears to have been changed. (More research on this in the future)
-The condenser and side brackets may be a '70's service replacement. Still doing research on the originality of this part.

This is why I'm asking for your assistance Skip. Too many similarities with known '66 condensers. Especially the side brackets. See post #1 below. I remembered that you have an original intact '66 L36 AC coupe that's not too early from when my car went down the assembly line. Whatever you report here with what you find will be huge. Like I've said, there's the strong likelihood that my condenser isn't original to my car. So I'm ready for the news. And I'm glad to hear it from a November '65 car owner. The very early '66 production cars could have leftover '65 parts? Thanks Skip. Here's a few shots of the condenser that was on my car when Bubbuh got his rat claws on her way back in 1976. Mike

[Keith B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Mike that 66 B.B. with AC at Carisle was it a yellow coupe from GA? That was parked in the 63-67 registry. If so that is anther firend of mine

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Hi Keith,

Yes, we got up to Carlisle shortly after the gates opened Friday morning. We made a beeline for Page's vendor space. Always a pleasure. He's a plethora of Corvette knowledge!

I bought a '66-'67 427 AC radiator core support that he had. Excellent part!

Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Hey Keith,

This is the car right? I sure would like to speak to the owner. I looked for him at Carlisle but could never find him. Went back later and the car was gone. We were only up there for Friday. Searched his name on NCRS but drew a blank. It's amazing that you guys know each other. And what a coincidence that you spoke with Page about that NOS condenser too.

Mike

[Keith B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

yes that is my friend I will get in touch

[Vernon S.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Hi Mike, I checked my Condenser and the side brackets appear similar to the one you posted (your 12:48pm posting ). I do have the step down mentioned in these posts. My car is all together and its almost impossible to get a picture of it. If there is anything else I could help you with, let me know.

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Good Evening Skip,

That's such encouraging news! I'm sending you an NCRS private message now.

Thanks! Mike

[Mike B.]

Re: Calling Vernon "Skip" Steinmann (29847) Early '66 L36 AC Condenser Info

Good Morning Keith,

Would you mention to your friend with that yellow '66 L36 AC coupe that our cars are only days apart? My VIN is #72XX. Build date Dec 1, '65. Mike