'69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

[Pat K.]

As part of a complete rebuild of the AC system on my '69, I was considering changing out my original AC/Heater vacuum hoses.

Is this something that should be done as part of the restoration process or try to preserve those original lines?



Thanks

Pat

[Alan S.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Hi Pat,
The grommet is reproduced. I have one, it's reproduction # is EC20B. I need to figure out who it came from and I'll let you know.
Regards,
Alan

I thought I knew where it came from but I can't find the receipt right now. If you decide you would like to replace yours you're welcome to this one. It does have the tapered shape on the engine compartmert side of the grommet that your photo shows.

[Jim T.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Pat are you able to buy the vacuum hoses assembled in a rubber connector that connects to your air conditioner selector. Lots of hoses there to replace, in this area on my 70, if it is not broke I am not going to fix it.

[Pat K.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Good advice, I think I will test each one and see what works. If it doesn't work then I'll repair/replace.

Alan - depending on how things go, I may take you up on your offer.
If anyone is interested I found this part at the following link:

http://www.volvette.com/thestore/prods/EC20B.html

although it doesn't seem like their website is working properly.

Thanks,

Pat

[Alan S.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Hi Pat,
I was able to find that grommet this morning. So if the link source doesn't pan out, Corvette Central has it as #303043. This grommet is often mistaken for the 3 hole grommet for the wiper safety valve which is for a smaller hole and doesn't have the taper.
I noticed that the AIM calls it out as an assembly, which I guess means it came to the line with the 3 hoses already pulled through the holes...
interesting!
Regards,
Alan

[Pat K.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Hi Pat,
I was able to find that grommet this morning. So if the link source doesn't pan out, Corvette Central has it as #303043. This grommet is often mistaken for the 3 hole grommet for the wiper safety valve which is for a smaller hole and doesn't have the taper.
I noticed that the AIM calls it out as an assembly, which I guess means it came to the line with the 3 hoses already pulled through the holes...
interesting!
Regards,
Alan

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the follow up. When I spoke to the folks at Doc they said it was glued to the grommet too. Not sure if that's true, but I did try to tug a line thru that grommet and it did not budge, so maybe?

Pat

[Alan S.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Hi Pat,
I found sealer on many/all the hoses that came through grommets on my 71's firewall. I always thought the sealer was put on after the grommet was installed, but perhaps the hoses were sealed at assembly with the grommet (this means they had to measure to know where to put the grommet on the hoses) and then the grommets sealed after installation along with the other things on the firewall that got the 'glob' routine.
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Alan there was a sealer put on the engine side after the grommet was installed. One can often see it dripped over the hoses and running down the fiberglass from the grommet.

In the past there has been discussion here on how to duplicate that material. I'm not sure anyone put forth a definitive answer, but I think some kind of roofing sealer that dries with a dull finish would work -- at least when it is warm out.

[Alan S.]

Re: '69 AC/Heater Vacuum Hoses

Hi Terry,
Thanks for the info!
Regards,
Alan