I am nearing the end of the restoration of 70 Series II roadster. As is the case with a lot of E-Types with A/C, The Housing is separated. Any ideas where I can source a replacement? Every vendor I've spoken to says they're unavailable. Any info would be appreciated.

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Wed, 07/10/2013 - 18:37

having done this myself all I can say is WOW. whatever you spent was well worth it.
it looks great, and the wrinkle paint looks awesome. I had a heck of a time getting that even.
that really looks great. its going to look good in your car.

Bob F

Submitted by dtrotter54@yahoo.com on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 19:35

I took the housing to my shop today for the repair. It is in remarkably great shape and they indicated that it will be fairly easy to fabricate the supports, just time & materials$$$.

photo DSCF1697.jpg

photo DSCF1698.jpg

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 15:57

Bob looks right. Let it hang a while (radio) and consider a padded wedge or two between the AC and lower inst. panel. THey will straighten up if space allows. Good work!

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 10:57

Thanks George. I did attach the the radio to the brackets on the evaporator, but I know it spent at least 30 years attached to the faceplate which has given the evap a sort of molded shape.
my carpet pads are too thick, but I cut it way back in the console area and I dont think thats the problem. I fit all of this before the carpet came into play, I even removed the trans tunnel cover (as you recall) and made sure it was properly fitted to the body.
I think that with a little fiddling I could get this warp to go away, BUT, I am at that point where its not too bad and I am really afraid of damaging the console.
I am a perfectionist, so part of me wants to pull it out and monkey around some more, but the other half of me knows its very possible I could make things worse!!

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 07:03

Bob I would ask if your radio is mounted to the AC. The normal reason for the "warp" is the radio was not mounted to the AC and is just mounted to the console. The other reason is the carpet and pads are too thick. Did not see the underside so do not know if the radio brackets are there. Looks pretty good though.

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 19:02

For anyone following this, I would do one thing differently. I would add some sort of metal to the inside of the top where the screws attach. After all my work and effort to keep this as straight as possible I still ended up with a slight warp in the evaporator.
If it wasnt such a risk to the new leather on the console I would take it out and find a way to add a big bar of steel across the top of the evaporator coil and brace it from end to end. the downside is this thing already weighs too much. but adding just the aluminum bar to the bottom front edge isnt enough.

this is my finished product. its a complete re-paint from a rattle can of VHT wrinkle black and turned out pretty good.

Bob F

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 23:12

Joel, I will be glad to share the pictures I have, although they werent taken to be restoration photos or a guide. I mainly take pictures so I can remember how to put stuff back together!

What I did is fabricate new tabs using a fiberglass kit, I made a rolled up thing and bent it into shape as it was hardening. then cut and sanded to what I liked, then I used more glass to hold it in from the back, and resin on the front to smooth it out, but you can lay it on too thick or the metal tabs dont fit anymore. its really a test of patience.
as for metal. there is room under the top over the evap to put a 1/8 piece of metal, but mine didnt need it, where I did add metal was to the steel strip in the bottom where the face screws underneath. I added a bar of 1/2 x 1/8 aluminum and put a rivet in each of the molded notches, for whatever reason the factory only rivets about half the locations.

when it was all dont I used chemila stripper and removed the faded chipped old paint and then primered and painted with VHT wrinkle black. follow the directions and add a lot of heat. direct almost set it on fire heat !!

email me at bfastr(at)cox.net and I will send whatever I can to help

here you can see the alum in the bottom front, I was test fitting a piece on the top too, but did not end up fitting.

Bob

Submitted by NC98-56048 on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 22:55

I have a 70 2+2 I am restoring and it has a original A/C system. Most of it is intact but there are some cracks in the fiberglass and the louvers are broken.
I thought about putting a metal strip along the back of the top so the screws that now fasten into fiberglass would fasten into metal. Also going to redo the wiring as mine only had 2 speeds and not 3 as it should have.
I would like to see the pictures that Bob Faster has. I also have pictures of the evaporator coming apart. if they would be helpful to anyone. jhutchins3atyahoo.com>
Thanks, Joel.

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 15:53

you got it Doug, I will send something a little later when I am on the right computer.
I will be glad to share my thoughts on fixing yours up.

Bob

Submitted by dtrotter54@yahoo.com on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 14:12

yes...Exactly. Pictures would be great.My restoration guy seems to think it's not repairable. I'm inclined to have him remove it and send it out to someone familiar with the process. My email address is: dtrotter54atyahoo.com. Thanks Bob!

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 14:06

Which part of the housing is split? are you talking about the fiberglass evap system inside the car? it comes apart in three pieces. I just rebuilt mine. its all fiberglass and easy to repair, and repaint in wrinkle black.

I have a bunch of pictures if you need them

Bob F

Submitted by NE23-54945 on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 13:56

Join the club, I have my 70 coupe with a/c aftermarket from the 90's. Im now looking into every option as its the last piece of my refresh restoration...will be driving through the desert to vegas and highway 1 California next year from New York, hopefully we can find something.....Im calling retro air on Monday. Lets keep in the loop.
gtjoey1314