I’m installing a ‘84 M body evaporator case into my ’77 F body (no A/C). Just need a couple more parts to gather first (i.e.: F body right lower dash half), but will be attacking it soon.
My plan is once Heater case is out, to make a cardboard cutout roughly the size of firewall inside of car (I’m guessing 1’ by 3’, maybe). Get one of my twin kids to hold it in place while I mark the existing holes on engine side of firewall.
I will then take that template to my M body case to see what modifications are needed. I’m hoping that some of the mounting holes are in same location.
I robbed all of the A/C parts from a rusted out ‘84 GF police car (among other things) and also from an ’86 5th Ave from parts yard. An ’86 5th Ave is my daily driver, so I at least have a “reference”.
I’ve found M body cars a little easier to find, plus I don’t have to find or mess with that firewall loop for F body A/C cars.
On a different note: 20 years ago my dad retired and sold his Mopar only salvage yard. About 10 years before that, I remember a team of Mexicans came North of the boarder and cut out about 40-50 of the F body A/C firewall loops as well as any/all other A/C parts needed, to take back south of the boarder.
I was told that cars there (then) only came plane jane and the excise tax for (any) option was sky high – so apparently it was cheaper for Mexicans to travel to Oklahoma, cut out several firewalls, gather all other parts needed (as well as P/S gears/columns, power window setups, etc., for all Mopar bodes including pickups) and take there to install.
It was funny to see the multi truck caravan before heading back to Mexico for they just haphazardly tossed things into trucks anyway it would fit and just low enough to clear most bridges (picture Beverly Hillbilly’s). Most of the parts were not even marked!
On a side note: has anyone ever had a full cardboard box of mixed years and engine sizes (/6, small and big block) A/C brackets, P/S brackets, pulleys etc., and none of it marked! I have a hard enough time trying to figure out brackets on one engine on what goes where and such, that I know all parts are present.
BudW