AC suitcase install to firewall- need help

So what’s the secret to install a fully assembled AC suitcase to the firewall? The problem I have is getting the edge behind the motor. It seems not enough room to get the edge of the AC suitcase behind the motor. The fender well is out


Does the heater core box need to back out? Do I need to remove valve cover?

Thanks
Nick

 

Never put one in, but seems I recall you had to take the engine side of the housing off, so maybe you have to put the main housing in and then the other half. Just guessing.

 

Interesting. I wonder how that would be with the evaporator coils. The two half’s hold that in there. I could see if it screwed in the other half and it held it.

Need to have a beer and think about that. What is the lesser evil? Pull the heater core box out slightly, remove valve cover, or break the suitcase in half.

I’m an Engineer and I hate Engineers sometimes in this aspect. Don’t give you enough room and they only have to do it once when they design it

 

I believe if you split the case it slides right in.

 

X2, what Fred said. I know I put an evaporator unit in my 70 GS 455, and I believe I just took the motor half cover off to do it. It was still a very tight fit. BTW, wrong vac tank on there, I think.

 

My suggestion would be to take out the inside box, then see if you can get it in. Looks like the heater box door is in the way.

 

Yeah, that’s an aftermarket version I bought last year. I just found one from a junkyard. Just don’t know if it works yet and doesn’t look as pretty

 

I’m debating what’s easier, pull half’s apart or go back under dash and take vents out and pull heater box out slightly.

 

@gsfred @Dr. Roger @mrolds69 @436'd Skylark

Well it’s in! Thank you all for the help and info. Splitting the halves worked. With a little persuasion, the right side slipped behind the motor. And I sat where the battery goes and slipped off my shoe and pushed on the loose fender to get a little more room to slip the left half in.

It was a PIA to put in, that 3M goop was everywhere. Only one stripped screw to the firewall at the top ( will address that later).

Thanks to the wife for getting me tools and apparently a photo op while I was up inside the wheel well. Head just fits in there, but don’t turn suddenly or you head bangs off both sides.

 

Good deal! You can make the new vac cannister nice using a polish like Simichrome or a plastic polish.

 

In case you have a problem cleaning that,I have a couple of those in good condition.Bruno.

 

Utah455, I will call you later to discuss