Location: Ellensburg, WA
Posts: 190
My VIN: 5510
Did a video showing disassembly of the HVAC unit:
https://youtu.be/N-rDLjijrBw
I think I got most of the details right. Hopefully this is helpful to some people here!
For the last month I've been redoing all the wiring for the EV conversion, cutting a few hundred wires and labeling them for everything. I am now working on all the modules and electronics that will go under the dash (fuse box, body control module, radio, etc) and the big one there is the HVAC system. Today I spent a couple hours cutting the HVAC from my donor Bolt EV down to make it fit - which it mostly does!! Then this evening I have been 3d modeling a replacement for the recirculation flap thing. I didn't realize they were not available, and mine is absolutely disgusting and also broken. My design will use a stepper motor out of the Bolt EV to control the flap, rather than vacuum power.
Posts: 76
My VIN: 7012
That was very informative Bill, thanks for making it. It's so much easier to understand when seeing it in 3D rather than the 2D pictures in the workshop manual.
When looking at the wiring video, I was wondering... do you have a sense of how much less wiring there would be if you only used the EV motor/batteries and installed a vacuum pump and kept the stock brake system, climate control, etc.?
Posts: 1,250
Yes, nice video. I hope I can find it when I need it.
Thanks
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 2,083
My VIN: 0934
Club(s): (NCDMC) (DCUK)
Very nice explanatory video here. Thanks.
Recommending that Bill or one of the admins might re-post at least the video link if not the entire Post #9142 over to the Resources page of this forum for future general reference. It's helpful to any owner teasing apart a D's HVAC system whether they're doing an EV conversion or not.
March '81, 5-speed, black interior
Started tearing down for my VOD refresh. Nothing concerning found, but it needs to be done every decade or so.
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Great idea for the cups in the intake holes! , catches any debris easily and stops anything from passing inside
only from the past can we choose the correct path for the future...
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 2,083
My VIN: 0934
Club(s): (NCDMC) (DCUK)
Installed a replacement radiator cap. Read the following story about it as a reminder to check yours from time to time.
After doing some work on the cooling system recently I performed a pressure-hold test. No issues - it held 16PSI cold overnight.
My Stant pressure test kit includes a radiator cap test adapter. I checked the cap's vent pressure while I had it off. The cap vented at just 10PSI, no long holding the specified 15PSI as it did when new just 5 years ago so I replaced it.
March '81, 5-speed, black interior
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 2,083
My VIN: 0934
Club(s): (NCDMC) (DCUK)
Sorry, my mistake!
I meant so say I tested and replaced my failed Coolant Reservoir Cap, not the radiator cap.
Thanks for asking so I could clear this up.
(The D's coolant reservoir cap is identical to what was, back in the day, a conventional pressure-controlling and venting radiator cap. And the D's original radiator did use a cap but it wasn't a pressure relief/vent design so those caps seldom fail)
March '81, 5-speed, black interior