Re: Howard's 47 Custom project
Posted by HH56 On 2014/2/22 17:23:45
Been playing around with the AC package. Decided to completely revise the original plan to take advantage of the space in the replica case and keep it all looking more or less like Packard might have done it.
The return air collection was decided some time ago so that changed very little -- just a slight outlet relocation and a direct connection via hose instead of the original slip fit idea. It now exits thru the cardboard and directly into the evaporator. That entire return air flow plan came to be mostly because of the seat back braces. No idea how Packard did that part originally in a Clipper. The conventional body Packard return air piece is a tapered funnel like affair with a large inlet directly in the center to collect air from under the raised rear seat. I couldn't use the way Packard did it without modifying the car which would mean cutting out the vertical piece at the bottom and then re-supporting it somehow. Didn't want to do that so mine is collecting from under the seat as well as from behind the seat back at the top. To do that, made a narrow plenum that is open at the bottom and a couple of places at the top. Seat back will move forward about 1" but that doesn't seem to cause any major issues -- yet. Bottom might move forward but haven't yet decided whether to raise it or just add some vents to the lower front edge.
Mounted the evaporator in the repro case and turned the blower 90 degrees. Made a new blower inlet section and connected the two with some of the return air hose. Because the resistors needed for blower speed control with the 6v motor need cooling, mounted that package in the new inlet so they can be in the air flow for heat dissipation.
The blower feeds a new plenum for air distribution. If there was only going to be a rear vent, then the job would be simple and air would just go out the original opening and into the package shelf vent. My projects never are simple so made a cable controlled flapper valve to direct air to the rear vent as well as to my ducts going to the added front outlet. Had to make a complete second air path using the very limited space so that meant extra holes in the case -- but it turned out halfway neatly done. The only part seen will be the extra box piece sitting on top of the case with outlets for the flex ducts to connect into. Works nicely on the bench but how well it works in practice, only time will tell. At least if it doesn't work out nothing is horribly disfigured and the extra holes can all be covered with a plate.
The thermostat will also be cable controlled. Will order Vintage's combination pull cable/blower switch and use the pull portion for temp. My original dash plan stays intact with the other knob still being for the vent control.
Case removal is an ongoing thought process and not finalized. Because of the blower motor location, there needed to be access other than the stock opening. I had originally planned for case to lift off from top but that would have required removing or at least long hoses for twisting the unit in the car for vertical access. Realized how stupid that was so made the cover pull out instead. Currently the distribution plenum has to be removed to slide the cover off. A little more work but still fairly easily done. Contemplating whether to sacrifice the structure of the case at the vent opening to make it completely slideable without removing anything. Cover is held on by long screws so had to come up with guides for the case and for the screws. Few things more frustrating than trying to blindly start screws that are 8" and 10" long.
Here are a few photos of the latest configuration. The inner parts are fairly well finalized but the outer parts are still in primer until that removal plan is thought thru. The cardboard trunk separator is sitting in place for fitting. Ultimately even though most of it is hidden, it will get flocked to make it look better. I would have provided a photo with unit in the car but didn't feel like lifting it again. It's heavier than it looks.
Attach file:
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(31.55 KB)
(26.96 KB)
(13.69 KB)
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The return air collection was decided some time ago so that changed very little -- just a slight outlet relocation and a direct connection via hose instead of the original slip fit idea. It now exits thru the cardboard and directly into the evaporator. That entire return air flow plan came to be mostly because of the seat back braces. No idea how Packard did that part originally in a Clipper. The conventional body Packard return air piece is a tapered funnel like affair with a large inlet directly in the center to collect air from under the raised rear seat. I couldn't use the way Packard did it without modifying the car which would mean cutting out the vertical piece at the bottom and then re-supporting it somehow. Didn't want to do that so mine is collecting from under the seat as well as from behind the seat back at the top. To do that, made a narrow plenum that is open at the bottom and a couple of places at the top. Seat back will move forward about 1" but that doesn't seem to cause any major issues -- yet. Bottom might move forward but haven't yet decided whether to raise it or just add some vents to the lower front edge.
Mounted the evaporator in the repro case and turned the blower 90 degrees. Made a new blower inlet section and connected the two with some of the return air hose. Because the resistors needed for blower speed control with the 6v motor need cooling, mounted that package in the new inlet so they can be in the air flow for heat dissipation.
The blower feeds a new plenum for air distribution. If there was only going to be a rear vent, then the job would be simple and air would just go out the original opening and into the package shelf vent. My projects never are simple so made a cable controlled flapper valve to direct air to the rear vent as well as to my ducts going to the added front outlet. Had to make a complete second air path using the very limited space so that meant extra holes in the case -- but it turned out halfway neatly done. The only part seen will be the extra box piece sitting on top of the case with outlets for the flex ducts to connect into. Works nicely on the bench but how well it works in practice, only time will tell. At least if it doesn't work out nothing is horribly disfigured and the extra holes can all be covered with a plate.
The thermostat will also be cable controlled. Will order Vintage's combination pull cable/blower switch and use the pull portion for temp. My original dash plan stays intact with the other knob still being for the vent control.
Case removal is an ongoing thought process and not finalized. Because of the blower motor location, there needed to be access other than the stock opening. I had originally planned for case to lift off from top but that would have required removing or at least long hoses for twisting the unit in the car for vertical access. Realized how stupid that was so made the cover pull out instead. Currently the distribution plenum has to be removed to slide the cover off. A little more work but still fairly easily done. Contemplating whether to sacrifice the structure of the case at the vent opening to make it completely slideable without removing anything. Cover is held on by long screws so had to come up with guides for the case and for the screws. Few things more frustrating than trying to blindly start screws that are 8" and 10" long.
Here are a few photos of the latest configuration. The inner parts are fairly well finalized but the outer parts are still in primer until that removal plan is thought thru. The cardboard trunk separator is sitting in place for fitting. Ultimately even though most of it is hidden, it will get flocked to make it look better. I would have provided a photo with unit in the car but didn't feel like lifting it again. It's heavier than it looks.
Attach file:
(27.72 KB)
(19.10 KB)
(31.55 KB)
(26.96 KB)
(13.69 KB)
(14.75 KB)
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