The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-23-2018, 02:35 PM   #1
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
AC Condenser and Cross Braces

I know there have been many AC installs in the past but I can't find any mention of the need to remove the cross-brace in front of the radiator to install the AC condenser. I saw a dealer install instructions that do it in the FAQ section but no other: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559436
Does anyone have any reference or experienced issues?
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 03:46 PM   #2
aerotruk63
Check The Champ, Demonstrator
 
aerotruk63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal,Quebec
Posts: 6,625
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

I believe the x braces are still in the 63 A/C truck I just bought.
__________________
1963 Chevrolet Truck Literature
LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215

YouTube Channel with 20+ Original Chevrolet Truck Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1
aerotruk63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 04:34 PM   #3
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

Thank you aerotruk63, I guess what I'm I'm asking is - If you put an AC system in, did you have to remove the cross braces?
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 08:26 PM   #4
aerotruk63
Check The Champ, Demonstrator
 
aerotruk63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal,Quebec
Posts: 6,625
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

The braces would not allow access to the rad support with the thick condensor. Once the condensor is in place you can put the cross braces back. Not much space between the x brace and condensor afterwards.
__________________
1963 Chevrolet Truck Literature
LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215

YouTube Channel with 20+ Original Chevrolet Truck Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1
aerotruk63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 08:36 PM   #5
jhrusk
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: mid ga
Posts: 552
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

I will have to double check but I think the x brace on a factory ac rad support is a little different than a standard no ac truck so it would give it a little more room. Also I think it was put in with rivets as well. This was on a 1966 c20. When I took the ac system out I kept the x brace because of this
__________________
check out SANFORD build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522019
jhrusk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 08:56 PM   #6
aerotruk63
Check The Champ, Demonstrator
 
aerotruk63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal,Quebec
Posts: 6,625
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

All X braces came riveted from the factory. Once the condenser is installed their bolted back in with what looks like a spacer.
__________________
1963 Chevrolet Truck Literature
LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215

YouTube Channel with 20+ Original Chevrolet Truck Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1
aerotruk63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 09:43 PM   #7
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

Do I even need it once everything is installed and tightened up?
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 10:29 PM   #8
Railroader
Registered User
 
Railroader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Florence Ms
Posts: 117
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

I installed a Vintage Air unit in my 63 step side. I didn't remove cross braces. Clearance is close but it fit. I didn't remove the grill either as truck had just been painted and I didn't want to "bugger" up the bolts. Suggest hooking up wire leads before putting installing the condenser.
Railroader is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 11:12 PM   #9
aotte1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: lousiville Ky
Posts: 2,637
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

Just a little summary, not trying to be .......
On non factory A/C trucks cross braces are riveted to core support top and bottom, as stated above.
On factory installed A/C trucks, cross braces are riveted on bottom and bolted on the top.
As stated above, when the dealer installed the A/C unit, the factory rivets where removed and bolts with spacers where put back, as shown in figure 1 above.
Also the cross braces on factory installed A/C trucks where different design, along with other core support differences.
Photos show the cross brace on factory installed A/C trucks.

Also, for me I would keep the cross braces, protects the radiator and core support from stress, stiffens the whole front clip.

Les
Attached Images
  

Last edited by aotte1; 05-24-2018 at 11:50 PM.
aotte1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 05:53 AM   #10
aerotruk63
Check The Champ, Demonstrator
 
aerotruk63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal,Quebec
Posts: 6,625
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

Factory applications were only 65-66 . 63 below were only dealer installed.
__________________
1963 Chevrolet Truck Literature
LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215

YouTube Channel with 20+ Original Chevrolet Truck Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1
aerotruk63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 09:00 AM   #11
LT1 Burb
Registered User
 
LT1 Burb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Winchester Oregon, formerly Vancouver BC
Posts: 2,949
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

The factory air cross braces were riveted at bottom and bolted at top. The also were bent to allow for condensor as shown above. I do have an extra brace stamped for air if you are interested.
LT1 Burb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 09:46 AM   #12
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

Okay looks like I have the information I need. I can make stand-off spacers if I need to.
The plan is to also put a trans cooler in the front so I'm looking for space. Thank you guys for the information.
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 09:04 PM   #13
jhrusk
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: mid ga
Posts: 552
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

It's up to you as well if you even use an x brace. There are pics in my build thread where I istalled vintage air and did not reinstall brace. No issues with out it.
__________________
check out SANFORD build thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522019
jhrusk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2018, 10:48 PM   #14
The Rocknrod
Moderator

 
The Rocknrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
Re: AC Condenser and Cross Braces

Quote:
Originally Posted by jhrusk View Post
It's up to you as well if you even use an x brace. There are pics in my build thread where I istalled vintage air and did not reinstall brace. No issues with out it.
That's what I thought. I look at many pictures on line and see many without it. I don't want to be blasphemous or anything...
The Rocknrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com