Removing a/c
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
Removing a/c
Can any one tell me if I can remove A/C assembly with the engine still in the car. My houseing is broken and I'm getting fumes in the car. It proubly does not work anyway. Car has been sitting 10 years. I dont want to just bust it out incase I decide to to repare it later.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by 77BLACKNSMOKE; Apr 8, 2012 at 01:28 AM. Reason: Typo
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Probably doesn't work? Did you turn it on to see if it works? I'd be more worried about repairing the source of fumes coming from the engine compartment.
If my housing was cracked or had holes, I'd repair it with epoxy, fiberglass or insulation with foil tape. Insulating it is a good idea no matter what considering the heat in that area.
As badly designed as C3s are, you don't need to pull the engine to remove the evaporator assembly. Still sounds like a waste of time if you decide to put it back one day. And if you decide to sell, you'll take a huge hit not having the A/C system intact.
If my housing was cracked or had holes, I'd repair it with epoxy, fiberglass or insulation with foil tape. Insulating it is a good idea no matter what considering the heat in that area.
As badly designed as C3s are, you don't need to pull the engine to remove the evaporator assembly. Still sounds like a waste of time if you decide to put it back one day. And if you decide to sell, you'll take a huge hit not having the A/C system intact.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
if you remove the a/c, what are you going to use for heater/defrost in the colder months? even if the a/c doesn't cool, you will still have some use for it. it's a choice between a big job of removing the right side dash and the center console in order to get to the a/c out and replacing it with an after-market system or an oem heater, or doing a little fiberglass patch work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
If you can access the hole, you'd be better off to repair it by glassing it back in. I'm in the same situation - AC does not work, but I don't want to remove it because I may decide to repair the stock system or put in a Vintage Air system etc.
Vairxpert has a very valid point as well - it really hurts the value if the air is removed or doesn't work because most people know it's a big expense to get a AC system working again especially if they have to replace parts that were taken off.
Adam
Vairxpert has a very valid point as well - it really hurts the value if the air is removed or doesn't work because most people know it's a big expense to get a AC system working again especially if they have to replace parts that were taken off.
Adam
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
On my 85 firebird I just had to remove the A/C houseing. And install the heat only houseing.
I'm saving all the stock parts. So it can be Restored later.
But now I have bigger fish to fry on this car then working air.
I'm saving all the stock parts. So it can be Restored later.
But now I have bigger fish to fry on this car then working air.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Purchase the assembly instruction manual (AIM) for your model year. Study the diagrams of the factory installation of the AC system. Knowing how it was assembled often helps when trying to take it apart.
If you feel you might want to get the system operational, leave it where it is.
If you feel you might want to get the system operational, leave it where it is.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
I have the AIM. First thing a bought.
I'm doing a driver restore. So just wanted to swap out to heat only. So I can keep it useable till its time to get to updating the a/c to work. Can't drive it with tops on and the windows up with the fumes coming in.
And I have not found any suppler that caries the boxes.
I'm doing a driver restore. So just wanted to swap out to heat only. So I can keep it useable till its time to get to updating the a/c to work. Can't drive it with tops on and the windows up with the fumes coming in.
And I have not found any suppler that caries the boxes.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
If the hole is on a flat service, have a machine shop (or do it yourself) cut an aluminum plate and use some thin weather stripping to cover the hole. paint it the same color of the a/c box and be done with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Horizontally parked in a parallel universe. WI
Yes, you can remove the housing with the engine in the car. I removed my A/C system in a weekend. I found it helpful to remove the exhaust manifold/headers. I was switching to headers at the time so the manifolds were already out. You will have to remove the passenger side dash to access some of the mounting hardware. This was the biggest PITA part of this job. As for covering the hole in the firewall go here;
http://acdelete.com/index.htm
Good Luck with whichever path you choose.
http://acdelete.com/index.htm
Good Luck with whichever path you choose.
