Re: 1978 Chief WT - Code Name Gerald
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:14 am
Howdy! Just wanted to drop a quick update that things are moving really slow but things are moving. The roof was painted last week and the body is ready to be painted however, the paint hasn't shown up yet. We have the black for the windows but the body needs to be painted first.
I've also had a set back with the A/C setup. The stock compressor is not compatible with Vintage Air. With the help of sonoraed (much appreciated), we've been working out details. I've called a number of places trying to find a compressor that mounts to the stock location but there's none. The issue with the stock compressor is that on the GenV motors, it's computer controlled, there's no clutch to activate. I called ICT Billet whose power steering pump kit I currently have and checked if they have a solution. They suggested I try their LS7 p/s kit with their GenV a/c kit. They sent me out the a/c kit and p/s brackets to check fitment. The head bolt pattern on the GenV might not match with the LS7 and the p/s bracket mount to the head. The other option is to go with a Kwik Performance kit that has both p/s and a/c. This is a new solution that wasn't available when I was searching for p/s. ICT has been great to work with and I'm hoping their kits will work.
Once the a/c and p/s is sorted, I'll work with sonoraed to finish up the details of the a/c system. Again, Ed, thanks for all the help!
With the Jeep in paint booth it's hard to keep moving forward right now but it gives me time to sort out other issues that might come up. I have found a floor shifter that will work with the 6L80 and I get to keep manual shifting. I've also got a cable t-case shifter on the way.
More to come.
I've also had a set back with the A/C setup. The stock compressor is not compatible with Vintage Air. With the help of sonoraed (much appreciated), we've been working out details. I've called a number of places trying to find a compressor that mounts to the stock location but there's none. The issue with the stock compressor is that on the GenV motors, it's computer controlled, there's no clutch to activate. I called ICT Billet whose power steering pump kit I currently have and checked if they have a solution. They suggested I try their LS7 p/s kit with their GenV a/c kit. They sent me out the a/c kit and p/s brackets to check fitment. The head bolt pattern on the GenV might not match with the LS7 and the p/s bracket mount to the head. The other option is to go with a Kwik Performance kit that has both p/s and a/c. This is a new solution that wasn't available when I was searching for p/s. ICT has been great to work with and I'm hoping their kits will work.
Once the a/c and p/s is sorted, I'll work with sonoraed to finish up the details of the a/c system. Again, Ed, thanks for all the help!
With the Jeep in paint booth it's hard to keep moving forward right now but it gives me time to sort out other issues that might come up. I have found a floor shifter that will work with the 6L80 and I get to keep manual shifting. I've also got a cable t-case shifter on the way.
More to come.