Heater Hoses... What a pain '83 SC
 

Venting... Why is it always the simple jobs that turn into such a pain in the #@*!!

Decided to replace the heater hose that goes from the passenger side exchanger (reducer actually) to blower a few weeks ago. The one that I bought the car with was the aluminum type duct that had clear packing tape holding it together. A real embarrasment when you opened the hood (and held it open due to the worn out hood brace, got that one replaced no problem prior to starting in on the hose, small sucess...).

Ordered the new hose from Pelican. I stretched and tore up the old hose pulling it out of the slot between the alternator and air conditioner. Couldn't hold it next to the new one to ensure the hoses were the same length. When I tried to install the new hose, I came up about 4" too short (dough!). Correct diameter, fits the reducer on the blower.

I called Pelican and told them my dillema. The guessed my heater system must be modified somewhere. They put another hose on order for me (longer) and was kind enough to say they would give me a refund upon return of the 1st one (though I told them it was a little scuffed up from stuffing it in the alt-A/C gap).

I went to the Pelican BBS to see if my system was in fact modified. From the pictures folks posted, it looked like my hose that comes off the exchanger through the engine shroud was short, around 4" from what everyone else had (accounting for my 4" shortfall).

My new hose arrived. It's probably long enough to go direct from the exchanger to the blower as a single unit. Problem with this one is that it is the larger diameter hose (exchanger diameter). I doubt I can get it to fit the alt-A/C gap.

My next plan was to cut the longer hose to my required length, connect the reducer and mate it up to the shorter, stock hose (get it back in OEM condition). As I started on this path I began to realize my A/C was in the way making it nearly impossible to get the hoses mated up and clamped down.

Looks like I will be removing the A/C (leaving the lines connected, just moving it out of the way) to finish this simple job.

Feel my pain!

Gordo

well Gordo.. I have a different 911, so no specific info.. but some of the heater hoses can be a PIA.. like the paper/or something ones.. I got a copy of Aircraft Spruce Cat. and found a few different quality hoses in there, some great options.. then measured and ordered.. some great stuff in there.. so the hose was a squeeze w/AC on my unit..
I'm like a kid in a candy store in that catalog.. I'm sniffing around the aircraft EGT and CHT 6/6 display dig. screen.. fantasy is a screen that fits on console.............Ron

Update
 

Well,

I made it worth my while by buying some more tools for the project (I'm a junkie). Couldn't get the A/C removed with a normal hex key. Bought a set of hex sockets. Awesome tools to have for the car.

With these in hand it took about an hour and a half to unbolt the A/C move it out of the way. Put in the new hoses and re-install the A/C.

It was tempting to just go ahead with the A/C removal. I plan to troubleshoot it this spring. If if looks like it needs more than a simple recharge, it's gone.

New hoses and a hood that stays open. I can finally show folks the engine without shame.

On to bigger and better projects.

Gordo

Gordo:

Nice job. Heat is much more important than A/C.

What really impressed me was the posting time. You are now one with us my son :wink: