[stevep]

Matt, make sure to visit Jeff!

[Engine-Ear]

Steve, I sent him a PM...

[jdh421]

Here are some pictures of the different A Arms. the Early 65 is the Reddish one on the left and the rusty one on the right is a 66 Cat arm. The 65s had the curled up edges and the welded plate. Good luck with which ever you use. Jeff

[Deadhead]

That's a huge PITA.

Has that '65 been cut at the sharp part of the curve? Looks like that would substantially reduce the strength of the arm.

Looks like it would be easiest to just change out to a '66.

[Txbobcat]

My 65 convert had the steel under the ball joint. I removed it say 9 years ago not a lot of miles maybe 20K and no problems yet. Maybe I am lucky. I can get them welded back on if everybody thinks its is necessary.

[Engine-Ear]

OK, sorry for the delay...

4214speed has a C-code VIN ending in 141890... SECOND design. According to my 1970 Moog parts catalog, the Southgate cars (VIN letter C) changed over at VIN suffix 128238.

65WJ has a P-code VIN ending in 282096... SECOND design. According to my 1970 Moog parts catalog, the Pontiac cars (VIN letter P) changed over at VIN suffix 209539.


Other plant/VIN breakpoints include:

E 152663
X 146687
R 111809
D 114354

Hope this was at least a little helpful.

[stucky2947]

On thread #14, it was mentioned NOT to use 'Old Air Products'. I am getting ready ot order a bunch of AC stuff from them. Didn't even know about Classic Air. What's wrong with Old Air Products?

[Deadhead]

I got some stuff from them for my '63. Was OK. There was just zero communication from them. My experience.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by stucky2947

On thread #14, it was mentioned NOT to use 'Old Air Products'. I am getting ready ot order a bunch of AC stuff from them. Didn't even know about Classic Air. What's wrong with Old Air Products?

It is a long story but bascically it took too much time and effort to finally get an A/C condenser for my 67 GP. Not good communication or followup and they do not do well in following direction. The whole ordeal took about 7 months. Classic Air is much more accomodating.

[stevensonDNL]

Thank you, Engine- Ear, for the data from your Moog catalog. I just crawled under the front of my '65 2 + 2 and confirmed that my lower A- arms appear to be the second design that you mention, also thanks to jdh421's posted pics; no welded plates, no curled edges. My vin is 252375C127898. Interesting, huh? These are the same A- arms that have been on the car since I bought it ten years ago.
Could the dealer service depts. have been replacing these A- arms when owners would bring their cars in for service, say, when new lower ball joints were needed? There were no such thing as recall notices back then, were there?
A few years ago I had a local independent auto shop replace my ball joints and bushings, tie rod ends, center link etc. with parts I had ordered from Kanter Auto Products. I know the techs didn't have to remove any welded plates. When I placed my order, Kanter needed to know my vin in order to send me the correct parts. I know that there was an extensive and informative thread on this board at that time that helped me understand why.
Dan

[Engine-Ear]

"Could the dealer service depts. have been replacing these A- arms when owners would bring their cars in for service, say, when new lower ball joints were needed?"

I read that the GM service procedure for new ball joints on the 1st-type cars was to replace the parts with 2nd-type components.

[wfbarto]

Originally Posted by stucky2947

On thread #14, it was mentioned NOT to use 'Old Air Products'. I am getting ready ot order a bunch of AC stuff from them. Didn't even know about Classic Air. What's wrong with Old Air Products?

I ordered the aftermarket air system from Old Air Products for my '66 vert that Ron and Aaron put in at Clearcreek Restorations. It was the cheapest system and the smallest under dash evaporator available that I could find. In fact, it fit under the dash so well that Ron and Aaron were able to save my glove box for me. Most underdash evap units require the use of that space for the unit.

There was one problem with the fan/temp control unit when it arrived...it was broken and therefore defective. I called them and they sent one another one out immediately and gave me a return number for the defective part which they credited back to me when they received it. I agree with others, not too communicative....but I had no problems with them otherwise.