63 SDV Update

[Tom Bahner]

Hi all. Been gone a while and suffered through a computer melt-down. What a pain in the posterior!

Well, I found another "old school" auto tech that was very familiar with the AC system on the old girl. It turns out I had a major leak at the STV(suction Throttling valve). We ordered an update kit for it off epay for $75.  This thing isn't easy to get to as its stuck between the fender and hood hinges. I guess there's an access panel on the fender well that can be removed once you take the Rt. Frt. tire off that helps to get to it. He also replaced the dryer and various other minor parts. The fact that he was able to salvage the original system is flat amazing to me. He spent a lot of time looking things over, evacuating the system, fresh oil, etc. It's been about a month now and she's still blowing cold! Fantastic!

I need to find a fresh air actuator as someone tried to repair the outside of it with RTV. It doesn't hold vacuum so the diaphragm is shot I'm sure. He said its half open/closed which is the normal position without vacuum. It looks like a pain to replace. Anyone been there and can new ones be found??

The tech also wants to repair the choke tube on the intake. The stove pipe on the manifold kind of works but we can hear an intake leak when I give it gas going down the road.

We that's all for now. Drivin COOL though!

Tom B

[Robert Alan Shannon]

Yes Tom , I've been there. I replaced that vacuum actuator abt a yr ago. Easy to find on EBAY,but kinda pricey; usually 60-80 bucks. Have to disconnect linkage arm behind glove box ,way back there. Helped that my dash pad was already off. Pull your vacuum hoses into the cabin noting their purpose. The blower case will then unbolt from the outside. Almost forgot,that linkage arm bolt is a 5/16 head if I remember correctly. HTH

[Jason Edge]

You can remove the inner fender well filler plate (green arrow in picture below of example right side inner fender assembly) that would probably give you some decent access from the wheel well area. There are 8 bolts to remove: 5 to inner fender, 2 to outer fender  bracket, and 1 to splash apron. With tire removed they are easy access.