A/C question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 41
From: Chehalis, WA
A/C question
First, let me set the scene. I live on the West Coast a short hop from the big puddle. The climate is moderate; the winters are not really very cold, the summers have a few days with temps. in the 90's. I cruise in my 76 on nice days when the sun is out, attending car shows, and the T tops are off. The car is in nice shape inside and out, though not a show car. I do receive many compliments on it. Anyway, I have no intention of selling, but when I go toes up, I will pass the car on to my son or granddaughter. Here's my question. Would it be unwise, stupid, asinine, etc. to remove the A/C? Since owning the car, I have never turned it on as it has never been needed. It just seems like it would open things up a bit under the hood in the unlikely event that I actually risk picking up a wrench. Any expert advice would be appreciated. Please be gentle. I know, "What the hell is he thinking?"
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
The A/C compressor comes off in 20 minutes. Leave it on.
Does it still work? A big selling point of these cars is working A/C as 3/4's of them do not work....or have been removed.
Your car, your choice.....
Jebby
Does it still work? A big selling point of these cars is working A/C as 3/4's of them do not work....or have been removed.
Your car, your choice.....
Jebby
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I also have a 76 and like you, T-tops come off before I leave the house - I have never used the AC in the 23 years I have owned the car and honestly, don't know if it works!!! I left the AC system intact and just removed (cut) the AC belt. Saves wear & tear on the compressor and reduces the HP drag. When my son inherits the car, he can deal with the AC if he wants it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the system is all there, just leave it alone. Remove the belt if you must; but it just free-wheels when the engagement clutch (front of the compressor) is not energized. For your type of use, you will save very little on fuel costs for leaving the 'weight' of that system in place. It is more trouble than it is worth to remove it, and once you do so, it becomes a PITA to reinstall it and get it operational. Just let it be...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
Keep it! So many wanting to add A/C but maybe a few wanting to remove it. You or the kids may want to take a trip someday. Keep the belt on, the compressor weighs 37 lbs and does not take away HP when off. The car was born with it so I say keep it. Removing it will hurt the value and you can never tell if minds will change as time marches on. AND, it's not hurting anything. Another thing I think the front springs were different with A/C.
By the way, I lived near the ocean in CA and bought a 67 coupe with the 435 engine which was not available with A/C. First thing I did was add factory air. That was back in 1971. In my case it hurt the value unless I change the cam and call it a 400 HP. It is a CE engine so the numbers won't reveal the original HP.
Dom
By the way, I lived near the ocean in CA and bought a 67 coupe with the 435 engine which was not available with A/C. First thing I did was add factory air. That was back in 1971. In my case it hurt the value unless I change the cam and call it a 400 HP. It is a CE engine so the numbers won't reveal the original HP.
Dom
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
John...through out my life Corvette wise I have adhered to this tenet;
If you can un-bolt it and re-bolt it back on...no harm no foul.
This is where it gets tricky....MARK, LABEL, STORE, SEAL, TAKE PICTURES of all components removed. DO NOT LOSE THE PARTS!
You can remove the Condensor, the Compressor, Brackets and etc. Leave the Evap. core ALONE
My Mom Threw away my entire date coded Air PUMP system....labeled in a box. (Left in her garage). 40 years ago....I'm not over it yet! lol.
" But Hal it looked like a bunch of junk".
Dear Mom $2500 worth of junk! LOL
Unkahal
If you can un-bolt it and re-bolt it back on...no harm no foul.
This is where it gets tricky....MARK, LABEL, STORE, SEAL, TAKE PICTURES of all components removed. DO NOT LOSE THE PARTS!
You can remove the Condensor, the Compressor, Brackets and etc. Leave the Evap. core ALONE
My Mom Threw away my entire date coded Air PUMP system....labeled in a box. (Left in her garage). 40 years ago....I'm not over it yet! lol.
" But Hal it looked like a bunch of junk".
Dear Mom $2500 worth of junk! LOL
Unkahal
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The general strategy presented is normally viable. But, you are dealing with a 'sealed' system that is 40+ years old. What is now sealed will not be when you disassemble it; and it may not seal properly once things are 'disturbed' and separated. Could it go back together correctly? Yes. Will it? Your guess is as good as anyone's.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I removed it on my car. I only drive with the T-Tops out, so it's not a big deal.
Your car, with your circumstances, I'd cut the fan belt and leave the rest. There is a very slim chance that someone will get it to work in the future. More likely, when a future owner wants A/C, they will have to install a Vintage Air system, or equivalent, or convert the system to R1234yf, or whatever we end up using.
Your car, with your circumstances, I'd cut the fan belt and leave the rest. There is a very slim chance that someone will get it to work in the future. More likely, when a future owner wants A/C, they will have to install a Vintage Air system, or equivalent, or convert the system to R1234yf, or whatever we end up using.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I often drive with the tops off and the aircon on! These are HOT cars! I used to live in Wisconsin. And thought Aircon was absolutely essential. Now I live in Queensland Australia. Would die without it. These are HOT Car's!
leave it in place, at least it looks good at the local car shows.
leave it in place, at least it looks good at the local car shows.
Last edited by 4-vettes; Sep 3, 2020 at 04:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 41
From: Chehalis, WA
Thanks for the input, exactly what I was looking for. I think I will leave well enough alone and keep the A/C even though I may never use it. No sense in opening a can of worms when someone may want it down the road.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 360
Likes: 147
Geez, here in the panhandle of Florida it gets really, really hot and humid. My 76 has working AC but I have only used it a couple of times, they are usually when my wife is in the car. The ttops off and the windows down is usually good for me - I'm usually in such a state while driving that car that I wouldn't notice it anyway, lol. Love being in that car.
Honestly though, I'd leave it on.... my 2 cents.
Honestly though, I'd leave it on.... my 2 cents.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Why do folks want to 'cut the drive belt' on the A/C. It just rotates and free-wheels on the disengaged compressor clutch. No drag losses. Where's the downside of having the belt on it?
The upside is that your engine compartment doesn't look 'dorkey' at a car show with no belt on the A/C....
The upside is that your engine compartment doesn't look 'dorkey' at a car show with no belt on the A/C....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Why do folks want to 'cut the drive belt' on the A/C. It just rotates and free-wheels on the disengaged compressor clutch. No drag losses. Where's the downside of having the belt on it?
The upside is that your engine compartment doesn't look 'dorkey' at a car show with no belt on the A/C....
The upside is that your engine compartment doesn't look 'dorkey' at a car show with no belt on the A/C....
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
