Topic: 65 Air conditioning hole questions

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Hi guys,

Looking for help on my wife's Sept 64 SJ convertible that I am installing a factory air con unit into.

I've seen a few fire walls at the only Mustang wrecking yard in the state (Victoria, Australia) and it seems that the two air con hose holes are one above the other unlike on my Dec 65 NJ car where there is a larger horizontal oval punch out panel. Is this correct for 64's to have these two holes. What's funny is that they were all in the same place but they all looked like they had been cut out with a hole saw and not factory punched. Did Ford use a template on the firewall for the 64 1/2 - 65's to drill these out maybe?

I have a patch panel for the fire wall but was also wondering what the hole sizes were for the hoses to go through the radiator support panel and if anyone can supply photos or measurements or a template for correct locations?

Thanks.

[CharlesTurner]

Early '65 cars with A/C had the 2 holes one above the other, unlike the later style.  Most holes like this were not punched, contrary to popular belief, but rather a regular hole saw used.

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Thanks Charles,
So would the vertical holes be correct for a Sept 65 SJ car? Do we know the cut off date?
Edit: this should read Sept 64 SJ car.
Thanks,
Daniel.

[J_Speegle]

So would the vertical holes be correct for a Sept 65 SJ car?

Are you certain it was September 65 not September 64? Interior firewall pads are different between the different periods. Believe there are three San Jose style ones that were used

Do we know the cut off date?

I've got the horizontal punch out starting on cars with projected build dates around the first week of April 65 at San Jose (example 5Rxxx206432)





End of April projected date example - just because it was easier and a better picture

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Correct Jeff,
My mistake. It's a Sept 64 SJ build. Thanks. I'll edit the question.
Any info on the radiator support panel holes at all?

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks Charles,
So would the vertical holes be correct for a Sept 65 SJ car? Do we know the cut off date?
Edit: this should read Sept 64 SJ car.
Thanks,
Daniel.

Yes, changeover was later, have seen SJ cars in Feb '65 with the stacked holes.

[ChrisV289]

Here is a pic of my firewall AC hoses from the inside.  Schedule build date 10/29/64 SJ:

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Thanks Chris,
You wouldn't have pics of the holes on the Radiator support panel by any chance?

[goumoun]

I have this from a customer coupe scheduled build date 01 July 64 Dearborn. Unfortunately I did not take the upper hole but I can tell you it is in the same location as any 65. What changes is the hole in the firewall. Here there is one large hole for two hoses and wire.
The whole AC install looks factory. i.e. when looking at sealant marks but cannot say for sure 100%. No trace of a holesaw or from a file on the firewall, just a clean cut. Considering the location of this hole on the firewall, it is difficult to make it with engine and pedal support installed, feasible but not easy. This makes me think the firewall hole was drilled before the power train was installed.

[CharlesTurner]

I have this from a customer coupe scheduled build date 01 July 64 Dearborn. Unfortunately I did not take the upper hole but I can tell you it is in the same location as any 65. What changes is the hole in the firewall. Here there is one large hole for two hoses and wire.
The whole AC install looks factory. i.e. when looking at sealant marks but cannot say for sure 100%. No trace of a holesaw or from a file on the firewall, just a clean cut. Considering the location of this hole on the firewall, it is difficult to make it with engine and pedal support installed, feasible but not easy. This makes me think the firewall hole was drilled before the power train was installed.

I would have to say that is a dealer or owner installed setup.

[suskeenwiske]

Thanks Chris,
You wouldn't have pics of the holes on the Radiator support panel by any chance?

These are some photos I took from a restoration I did 15 years ago. Holes were factory punched on this midyear '65 Dearborn Coupe.

Ray

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Thanks a bunch Ray. Any chance of getting the hole sizes?

[suskeenwiske]

Thanks a bunch Ray. Any chance of getting the hole sizes?

I measured them at the time for future info but have lost track of all my notes; I actually need them for my current project as well.

I'll see what I can find...it's possible that I've asked this question on this forum...don't know for sure. If not, I'm sure someone out there has the answer for us both. If not however, buying the bushings and measuring them should give us the answer.

Thanks

Ray

[Richard P.]

I think the hole size is the same as the ones used on your seat plugs under the car. Try your AC grommet in one of those holes.

[rodster]

Top hole is punched at 1.25" on my 65 Dearborn coupe. Guessing both holes are the same?