1969 factory air conditioning

[Paul B.]

hi,

i'm new to ncrs, please be patient.

i've been searching to a numbers matching, c3, chrome bumper convertible, driver, survivor. i think i found one that looks like a factory air, manual transmission, 350 ci, 350 hp with side pipes. it was manufactured in feb. 1969. everything seems to match except the alpha suffix stamp on the engine. the alpha stamp is hw instead of hx.

is this discrepancy explainable?

paul

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

Check the "code" on the AC compressor foil label to confirm that it makes sense for the car's build date. If the AC was added by an owner, it's unlikely the code will even be for a 69. I don't remember the code stamp format off the top of my head, I'll have to research it...get the number and we'll decode it for you.

I don't know the actual differences in the setup of the two engines; it's possible the HX came from Flint already equipped with brackets or pullies for the AC compressor, or the pulley configuration changed with/without AC...they were juggling the AIR drive also in 69. I suppose that in a pinch, they could have retrofitted a non-AC engine to an AC application if they were short engines, but I believe that would be unusual.

I assume when you say everything else appears to match, that means you've checked the engine machine stamp and the date makes sense for your car, and the VIN derivative preceding the HW matches your car and appears to be an original stamp?

[Phil D.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

they were juggling the AIR drive also in 69.

Another clue might be the POA Valve which has an unmistakable date on it. Here is a picture of two I have on my workbench a 69 on top and 72 on bottom. HTH. I have a question about juggling the AIR system in 69 tho so I guess I'll post that separately.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

Another clue might be the POA Valve which has an unmistakable date on it. Here is a picture of two I have on my workbench a 69 on top and 72 on bottom. HTH. I have a question about juggling the AIR system in 69 tho so I guess I'll post that separately.

Phil, by "juggling", I meant engineers were having to provide a drive belt and physical space at the front of the engine for the AIR, and it had to fit in virtually the same space with the AC compressor. Some later engines didn't require the AIR pump, and mounting the accessories was somewhat simpler on those engines.

[Paul B.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

thanks for your replies,

the code number on the air conditioner compressor is 5910741. currently the air does not work.

based on photos, the "vin" derivative stamped on the engine pad, to the left of the engine suffix number, matches the sequential serial number in the "vin" for the vehicle. the sequential serial number and the date stamp in the engine suffix number indicate that the vehicle and engine were built in the same part of 1969.

images of the dash show rectangular vents above the gages and air conditioner/heater controls in the console. they look original.

i can't imagine that the air conditioner with interior vents and controls was added, after market, by an owner. is it possible it was a dealer added option at or after the original purchase?

the asking price seems fair for factory air and i'm thinking of taking a look at the corvette in person... the hw stamp puzzles me though.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

...the code number on the air conditioner compressor is 5910741. currently the air does not work...

That's the Model Number; there should be another field on the label identified as Code Number in the format MMDDYS, where MM is the numerical month (01=Jan), DD is the day of the month, Y is the last digit of the year, and S is the shift.

[Paul B.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

i decided to move past this car and keep looking. thanks for your input.

[William C.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

Picture of a date code for A/C compressor, this on a 1967

[Erv M.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

Does anyone have a picture of the date code imprinted on the AC label for a 69?

[Dale C.]

Re: 1969 factory air conditioning

Don't have any docs. on a 68 Big Block roadster with C60 and I am trying to verify the A/C. It looks good with most everything except no under dash braces as shown in the AIM on C60 - A9. The car has had alot done to it and could be they just were not put back in. Maybe not even in production, thats what I curious about. Was that was an addition to the AIM sometime in production? See AIM C60 A9.
Dale