[Old Buzzard]

NE1 notice how the V/A ac unit uses only 1 vent on each side?? [55].
To add to the problem, the quality stinks...
I'm about to explore the modification of the original vent tubing...
I'll be looking at:
Clearing the Raingear, the AC box and??

NE1 done this??

 

[chevman57]

Chuck this is the first i have heard of the defrost vent problem with that kit. I`ll be watching the responses since i plan to install an A/C kit in mine soon.
Terry

 

[Jim '57]

Chuck this is the first i have heard of the defrost vent problem with that kit. I`ll be watching the responses since i plan to install an A/C kit in mine soon.
Terry

Terry on the 57 there is only one on each side. Altho the pieces are plastic they fit pretty good on the 57.
Jim

 

[Rick_L]

Not sure there's a real problem on a 55 or 56 either.

Wasn't there a change in the defroster sometime in 55, or with the intro of the 56, going from 4 to 2 outlets?

 

[acardon]

Have you contacted VA about having 4 vents. Maybe they sent the 56 type vents. I got my unit from Classic Auto Air and made several changes from their standard unit and they exchanged the parts without charge. I don't know if all 55's had 4 vents but they started out that way. This was redrawn in June of 1955 and they still show 4 vents.....http://www.trifive.com/garage/55%20Chevy%20Assembly%20Manual/101-1.gif

 

[Rick_L]

I think I get it now.

'55s, or at least early ones, had 4 outlets
'56s had 2 outlets

Difference is, the 56s two outlets are wide, the 55s four outlets are narrow.

I'm going to have to check this out more tonight.

 

[Rick_L]

Well I didn't check this out right away, but I'm not stopped I'm just slow.

My car is still bare inside, nothing in the way.

I got out my defroster thingies. They kind of might maybe fit two of the four outlets in the dash/windshield area of my 55. You would have to forget about the other two if you did it with the parts VA supplies.

Here's the other problem. I don't know exactly what the 56 looks like in this area, but it looks to me like the VA parts are equally insufficient for a 56, though it's different. They are half as wide as they could be for a 56.

WTH?

I also looked at some articles on installs, as well as VA's own instructions. No mention of the holes you have to drill or any custom fitting, which is needed even if you do the minimum.

I remember my first 55, 40 years ago. The defroster sucked, mostly because the fan was weak. But it kind of worked.

Question is, is the fan on the VA good enough to overcome their built in problem?

Not sure I need "super defrost" - actually where I live you need "super defog", but I wonder how often I get caught up where I need that. I know I need something, maybe what they provide is almost enough.

??? Anyone?

 

[Old Buzzard]

My thots, too..

"I got out my defroster thingies. They kind of might maybe fit two of the four outlets in the dash/windshield area of my 55. You would have to forget about the other two if you did it with the parts VA supplies."

The delux heater that was in my 55 is a 3 pc deal. The big part has the 2 vents for the inboard holes, and the 2 outers are separate pcs.
I had thot of modifying the loose pieces, but they are too short to cover the inboard holes...So much for that idea! [Nor will they fit the oem locations w/ Raingear.]
Another idea I have, is to "modify" the "kinda/maybe" parts VA sent, and get at least some of the flow over to the outer parts of the w/s.
From the initial fit-up of the Kinda/maybe parts, it looks like as much air will leak out as is directed at the glass...

 

[Rick_L]

That's the other problem with the picture, making the Raingear fit whatever one might come up with.

 

[jeepjoint]

VA Defroster Vents

My 55 had four vents. When originally installing the VA ducts, I had windshield wiper cable interference when using the outboard locations. I installed ducts on the inboard location. Now that I'm replacing the vacumn windshield wipers with electric, whick duct location is best for the defrost performance? Inboard or outboard? Your help is appreciated.

 

[Old Buzzard]

The only..

My 55 had four vents. When originally installing the VA ducts, I had windshield wiper cable interference when using the outboard locations. I installed ducts on the inboard location. Now that I'm replacing the vacumn windshield wipers with electric, whick duct location is best for the defrost performance? Inboard or outboard? Your help is appreciated.

difference between vac and electric is the power source.. Both use the cables.[Unless you R referring to an aftermkt elec wiper system, such as Raingear.]
I'd think use of the vent most centered on your field of vision would be the best...Imo, the inner 2.
The inner duct slot is longer than the outer.
The dims from my parts:
Inner stock = 6"
Outer stock 4 1/2"
VA plastic 4"

 

[roger1]

I can't imagine putting this monstrosity back in the car!