Vintage Air uses UC Arm access panel hole to route hoses. I'm looking for alternatives and opinions

[biomedtechguy]

I'm certain that I have used that same hole to put tools and my hand or arm through to do "common" work on my 440, and I think I've used it to get to a bellhousing to block bolt or nut too.
So I'd rather not run the hoses through there and lose access.
I'm using aftermarket UC arms with multiple adjustments, so I don't need common access because I don't have cams to adjust.
The vendor is working with me on my Vintage Air exact fit AC system, and he will replace the supplied hoses with ones that can be cut and terminated. Also there is a firewall bulkhead available.
Questions:
What other routes have been used for heater and AC hoses? (pictures if you have them)
I don't mind the hoses running in similar fashion to the factory heater hoses (no factory AC, 440+6bbl manual transmission car) but I do have headers, so I'm aware of heat rising on the passenger side. They are going to have to run on that side, my AC compressor on the Wraptor serpentine system is on the passenger side, above the tensioner
(see pic).

Here's the Vintage Air diagrams:

I'm inclined to use a firewall bulkhead.
Do the factory heater hose connections (nipples) in the firewall "go away" somehow or are they part of the firewall?
Thanks in advance. I'm having the system installed by someone so I can attend to my one man business, and I have a hard time working under a dashboard.
I'm liking one of these!

 

[themechanic]

I had my Classic Auto Air system installed before I bought my car. They did not use the perfect fit system but here is how they did it using a bulkhead on an otherwise clean firewall.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Maybe the black anodized? My valve covers are and always will be crinkle black, and the Wraptor is Diamond Black to match, and the hoses are black...

 

[themechanic]

You also have lines under the dash going from the bulkhead to the evaporator and heater core. Mine had really short crimped rubber lines on the evaporator that leaked. I went to a local hose company who made me a hard line to replace it. A close-up of the firewall. Disregard green arrow. It was showing the brake line routing for another thread.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Subscribed. I am prepping for my vintage air install as well. I bought the firewall 4 port bulkhead you show above.

 

[69 GTX]

I didn't like the lines going all the way across the engine bay so I kept all my lines on the passenger side. Still not 100% done. I haven't crimped the lines incase I run into a whoops. Still need to neaten them up a little but you get the jest of the routing.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I bought the firewall 4 port bulkhead you show above.

Which one?
I am really inclined to go black anodized, for the reasons previously mentioned.
The bulkhead requires FOUR pass throughs connections ??

 

[biomedtechguy]

the routing

With my AC compressor being here:

that should allow for a neat install and clean look. I definitely want to get them to the outside edge of that inner fenderwell, so the heat rising off the header doesn't cook the hoses.

 

[biomedtechguy]

My wife's 65 GTO lines will be routed really cleanly, as recommended by Vintage Air, and seen here on a 65 in one of the car clubs we're in.
Passenger side too:

 

[themechanic]

With my AC compressor being here:
View attachment 854748
that should allow for a neat install and clean look. I definitely want to get them to the outside edge of that inner fenderwell, so the heat rising off the header doesn't cook the hoses.

If you are worried about the heat, just put Design Engineering, Inc (DEI) sleeves on them. Dennis and I have cold air and plain rubber hoses.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Design Engineering, Inc (DEI) sleeves

Good product I have used on the 421GOAT
https://designengineering.com/

 

[Darter6]

I wish I would have taken photos. We did a 64 Barracuda. Went thru the passenger side of the cowl,under the front fender against the inner front fender, to a bulk head connector. Brought the lines to the compressor and condenser/receiver drier forward of the rad support. Under the fender a gravel guard/shield protected the hard lines and bulk head connector.

 

[493 Mike]

On my 65 Belvedere I'm planning on routing through the right side inner fender at the front of the motor. I was going to utilize grommets but I may use individual bulk head fittings and hard lines inside the fender well. My compressor mounts below the alternator and I planned to place the hoses all in a horizontal plane. The heater hoses would loop below the alternator.
Mike

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Which one?
I am really inclined to go black anodized, for the reasons previously mentioned.
The bulkhead requires FOUR pass throughs connections ??

The one you show in post #1

 

[69 GTX]

If you haven't ordered exhaust yet, make sure to get it ceramic coated inside and out. That'll help.

 

[themechanic]

I saw this in the restomod threads.

https://www.restomodair.com/product...-bulkheads/shop-all-aftermarket-ac-bulkheads/

 

[biomedtechguy]

If you haven't ordered exhaust yet, make sure to get it ceramic coated inside and out. That'll help.

TTi 1 7/8" polished ceramic coated headers. That coating keeps them looking decent.

I saw this in the restomod threads.

https://www.restomodair.com/product...-bulkheads/shop-all-aftermarket-ac-bulkheads/

Thanks! Going to read this now.
Pricey, but nice stuff.

The one you show in post #1

View attachment 854988

Thanks 68!

 

[SSmoothie]

I’m using the Restomod Air unit, with this bulkhead.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I’m using the Restomod Air unit, with this bulkhead.

View attachment 855346

This one is $71.99

They want $315 for the one you have. EEK!

 

[SSmoothie]

I’m also doing a custom dash with Resto-Mods billet vents and controls.