Remove Factory Air - 1978
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Joined: Jun 2011
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Remove Factory Air - 1978
Question for the guys on the Forum.. I have a 1978 which I am looking to build into a really fun "driver". To make some additional room in the engine bay, I am thinking about converting this car from factory air to a heater only scenario. My question is.. can this be done? I know the outer heater box is different and I suspect the inner box is different as well, as is the heater core proper... Has anyone done this with success?
Thanks,
Joel
Thanks,
Joel
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
IMHO I think you're shooting yourself in the foot. Removing the factory AC will get some room under the hood, but possibly not as much as you think. The next owner will probably want the AC.
Yes, you can remove it all. Purchase the 78 assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows both factory installations - with and without AC. Compare the diagrams.
Be aware the firewall hole for AC cars was cut larger than the stock heater core hole. The AIM will have a page giving the dimensions of how much fiberglass was removed from the firewall.
Front spring rates were possibly different for AC and non-AC cars.
Yes, you can remove it all. Purchase the 78 assembly instruction manual (AIM). The AIM shows both factory installations - with and without AC. Compare the diagrams.
Be aware the firewall hole for AC cars was cut larger than the stock heater core hole. The AIM will have a page giving the dimensions of how much fiberglass was removed from the firewall.
Front spring rates were possibly different for AC and non-AC cars.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
Get one of these and you are good to go http://acdelete.com/. Just took the AC out of my 80. It would have cost more to fix it than it was worth.
Do a search many have done it.
Do a search many have done it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 249
Likes: 7
From: Wentworth North Carolina
FWIW..think long and hard about it.
Dad took A/C out of his 71.
power increase ??
I have it now and in NC you will miss it on those 90 + day's..
1st thing on the list is a reinstall of A/C.
Dad took A/C out of his 71.
power increase ??
I have it now and in NC you will miss it on those 90 + day's..
1st thing on the list is a reinstall of A/C.
