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Heater box questions

Discussion in 'VR - VS Holden Commodore (1993 - 1997)' started by losh1971, Dec 22, 2019.

  1. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    20200404_174415.jpg

    This is the same base and the one on my ute. Not sure if VR ute used the same base part as i can't be certain my h box is the original part.
    I can confirm the evap part number on VP is one digit different to a VR / VS one. Having ordered one for a VR I hope i have ordered the right part.
     
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  2. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    I have some more info on this. While I am struggling to find a pic of a VR box, i can confirm the VS box is slightly different to a VP one. This difference is the VS has two drains with removable pipes that extend the drains. VP has one drain. The evap is different, from what I can gather it has a TX valve on the VR. The VR TX won't fit a VP as its held down with two studs, instead of a single allen key bolt on the VP. From what I can tell the shape is the same and should not affect the way it mounts in. I suspect that to make it work you would need to keep the VP evap. If needed the lower cover from the VP box should mount to the VS box from what i can tell.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2020
  3. vs-lover

    vs-lover Well-Known Member

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    Yep there are also the 2 different types of TX valves installed during VS production exactly as you suggest. There was one type during early VS and the other in later VS.
     
  4. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    From what I can tell is the evap remained the same though from VR - late VS. Where as VP the evap is different, as it doesn't use a TX valve.
     
  5. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    The VP evap is hard to buy as well, local AC bloke doesn't have a listing for one anymore. Not sure whether a VR/VS one could be adapted buy changing pipes and adding a TX. Or whether the compressor wouldn't work right if a TX was fitted.
     
  6. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    VP has a different height where it meets the dash. Vent ducts fitted different too. If a VN/VP had a VR or VS dash conversion, vents wouldn’t work, especially the demister vent. They don’t line up.

    In my VP ute, I cut the centre console bin off. Then I made a much bigger box that screwed to the floor in the same two spots. Put some trim fabric on it. The console then screwed into it around the edge you see when lifting the lid. The console was far more solid and double the internal volume. I fitted power outlets in there, iPod connector too (early 2000’s, actually late 90’s now I think about it).

    I also fitted a panel behind the seat. The angle of the panel behind the seat exactly meets the bottom edge of the window if you extend up.
    I insulated the air space created behind and installed 6x9’s in there.
    (Yes, I know no one really uses 6x9’s these days, but this was years ago)

    Bolted it with 4 bolts through that metal. I’d just use nutserts these days for that.

    When I retrimmed the roof, I insulated the panel and when you tapped the roof, it sounded like a dull thud, rather than that hollow tinny sound. Also took ages to heat up inside in summer, so you’d come back to the car and it was bearable to get into.

    Added that last bit of off topic info because I know you are fixing up your ute.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2020
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  7. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    Ok that's good to know Fu. From a visual you can't tell. Probably could if you sat them side by side. That being the case then the VR box (ute at least) have a slightly different box to the VS. I wasn't sure because of both VR and VS use the same evap.
    I think all this is probably useful info too. Because I struggled to find anything online, especially pics.
     
  8. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    Most of the info relating to this was on Street Commodores forum, which was killed by bean counters.

    Most of my mods and build pics were hosted on there.
     
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  9. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I tried Google as i normally do, which normally takes me to several 10 - 15 year old threads but heater threads weren't too common.
     
  10. Fu Manchu

    Fu Manchu Well-Known Member

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    Maybe Trev can google for you?
     
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  11. losh1971

    losh1971 Well-Known Member

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    LMGTFY......
     
  12. vs-lover

    vs-lover Well-Known Member

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    That's because hardly anyone ever pulls these horrible things out and either just lives with whatever problem there is or gets rid of the vehicle. I've only ever pulled one heater box out and that was from the 45,000km wreck I had and after that I said to myself never ever again.
     
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  13. VPRob

    VPRob Active Member

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    "That's because hardly anyone ever pulls these horrible things out and either just lives with whatever problem there is or gets rid of the vehicle. I've only ever pulled one heater box out and that was from the 45,000km wreck I had and after that I said to myself never ever again."

    I've been there and agree it's a cow of a job. That's why I take every opportunity to point out that if an early commie owner has a gas leak that can't be traced it will likely be at the top of the firewall where the evaporator pipes join the enginebay pipes. The lost gas and (highly toxic) oil is hidden in the noise deadening padding inside the firewall. Replacing the O rings at that join is done from outside the car by lifting the plenum cover and is NOT a dash out job. Not to say that getting all the leaves and other accumulated crap out of the heater box etc isn't a good thing but it's such a job.....
     

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