RIBS 71 convertible build JUNE 21 till??

[RIBS]

So after 13 weeks,my AC just shipped and will be here midweek! That means I can get the car on the road in a few weeks!

 

[RIBS]

I did a small amount of fiberglass patching inside the doors and neutralized the rust, and then coated with Mastercoat and a few coats of Rustoleum. They will get some exterior work when they come off for hinge rebuild.

 

[RIBS]

THUMBS DOWN UPS!!

 

[midlife]

So after 13 weeks,my AC just shipped and will be here midweek! That means I can get the car on the road in a few weeks!

They didn't way which week now, did they?

 

[RIBS]

Got the AC. Seems like a good kit. The instructions dont make any sense And are incomplete. I bench tested and I have a blend door problem. Will call tomorrow to work on issues.

 

[RIBS]

Had along talk with CAA tech. Good guys. Actually talked to the guy that spent a week measuring 3 71-73 Mustangs, and then designed the kit. There is a minor build issue with my AC, the dash door does not seal shut, so some air always blows out the dash. Not the worst thing…not really repairable without sending unit back, so I will keep it as is…also clarified manual shortcomings, and figured out my 51 year old Mustang is missing a factory mount bracket.

I got the main unit installed under dash, condenser mounted after modified brackets to clear radiator support, and when I mounted compressor, I found it was impacting fan blade. So I need longer fan spacer… otherwise good progress.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Please, please, please take as many photos as you can when you put all this on, and any video if you can. I am looking at doing this soon, and any and all information is welcome. There is little information out there on the CAA kits for the 71-73's. Do you have to completely remove the dash to do this?

 

[RIBS]

Please, please, please take as many photos as you can when you put all this on, and any video if you can. I am looking at doing this soon, and any and all information is welcome. There is little information out there on the CAA kits for the 71-73's. Do you have to completely remove the dash to do this?

Will do, you don’t have to remove the dash but it makes it easier to get the unit in. I had my dash out because I’m doing a complete rewire with American auto wire. I’ll try to post as much as I can, if you need to see more let me know I don’t post every picture I take.

 

[RIBS]

When I dry fitted my compressor I found out that it’s in the same path as the fan blade. I have a 2 1/2 inch fan spacer and that’s not long enough, so I have a 3 1/2 inch spacer on order. I have a flex fan bolted directly to the spacer.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Will do, you don’t have to remove the dash but it makes it easier to get the unit in. I had my dash out because I’m doing a complete rewire with American auto wire. I’ll try to post as much as I can, if you need to see more let me know I don’t post every picture I take.

Thanks.

 

[RIBS]

Tips after initial install.
the firewall pad needs A trim.
you might want to fully attach defrost ducts before attaching unit to firewall
defrost duct adapter is slippery and air ducts don’t stay on, I used Aluminum AC TAPE ( Home Depot) to attach ducts To adapter.
I was missing an under cowl mounting bracket, used self tapping screw instead.
drill 2 holes in firewall BEFORE attempting to mount unit.
test fit compressor, my fan spacer was too short and compressor is in path of fan, I am ordering a longer fan spacer.

the condenser doesnt really fit in the radiator opening if you follow the instructions, I had to rework brackets, cut some metal from radiator support opening, etc…just plan a few hours to test and rework. Not a big deal, easy fixes.

so far seems to be a great unit and easy to install and configure. The install guide needs a rewrite, it’s full of pre 71 info, incorrect illustrations, pages that need to be deleted, steps out of order, missing info. I got no useful compressor related instructions, no Bluetooth instructions, The good news is the tech support is very good, responsive and helpful and will clear up any questions.

 

[RIBS]

Got a lot done…
just going to post pictures tonight, hope to get connections and cleanup done over the weekend…wiring and ac…

 

[RIBS]

More pictures…

 

[RIBS]

And finally. Dash installed, wire kit out firewall to engine bay….
.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Isn't there a plate that goes between the firewall and the 4 tubes coming out of the A/C unit that covers the hole on the firewall? I just had a heart attack when I saw all that wiring coming from the drivers side of the car! Wiring and I are not friends!

 

[RIBS]

Isn't there a plate that goes between the firewall and the 4 tubes coming out of the A/C unit that covers the hole on the firewall? I just had a heart attack when I saw all that wiring coming from the drivers side of the car! Wiring and I are not friends!

Yes, there is a block off plate, not installed yet, but it will seal the big hole. They don’t use any of the factory bolt or drain holes, so I am going to find plugs for them. I used the vacuum line access hole for the high pressure switch line…. The wiring is the AAW a complete car rewire, not part of AC. it’s complex, but we’ll designed and labled. The AAW kit really is not hard, it’s just 400 small steps done one at a time….. the AC wiring is really simple, 2 power, 1 ground, one high pressure switch wire to go from dash to radiator support. And then their AC harness that is color coded and just plugs in sockets.

 

[RIBS]

No detail pic today. Too tired. 12 hours of wiring and AC ductwork. Interior done working in engine bay.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

I knew you were doing the rewiring the car with the AAW kit, but I would still have a heart attack with all the wiring. I have always sucked at electrical

 

[RIBS]

Quick update, I have been working all my free time for the last week, getting the AC bolted in, and wired, and the dash and front clip wiring done. I will do a bunch more pictures and a write up once I recover!
View attachment 0E7F3B92-F371-41F0-96DF-85AAA11ED31F.MOV
I tested all switches and accessories and AC fan/ blend door function…I have a few loose ends, and more testing followed by cleanup and tiding wires, but this is the result.

 

[RIBS]

And special thanks to @midlife for helping me understand some wiring i could not wrap my head around!