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Greg, you recently replied to another member about this (see below), and so I had a question for you (didn't want to hijack someone's thread)
I have restored many C3 A/C systems and found the biggest and most common problem is debris collected behind the evaporator core. Most are anywhere from 25% to 80% plugged with leaves, dead bugs and general road crud. This makes it almost impossible for the fan to force cooling into the cabin. It's not really that difficult to correct. You just need to drain the system and remove the heater box outer cover, then pull the evap core, blow it out with compressed air and clean out the box too.
Most people are very startled to see how much debris has collected there over the years.
Give the factory system a fair chance, and it can't be beat.
Cheers, Greg [/QUOTE]
Greg, my question is, can that heater box outer cover be removed easily? Have never heard anyone talk about doing that. And mine is a 350 so there would be even more room to work. I have often wanted to remove that and clean it out.... Thanks
Hey Kansas, not too difficult, it's just nuts and bolts. I find a quarter inch drive ratchet with an assortment of extensions and a swivel works best. Just work your way around the perimeter. Two of the bolts are accessed from inside the cabin, just about where the carpet ends below the heater box. These two are very easy to access. Could be a bit tight around the heater riser actuator if you have one, but the outer cover will come off without too much difficulty.
If you decide to pull it, please post pics here of what debris you find inside so others can get an idea if why their A/C does not function properly. I'm on my phone right now and do not have a pic of one that is clogged up.
Dig in brother!
Cheers, Greg
i think you can get a lot out by removing the fan and reaching through. and if you have headers, you can get ac box out, but getting it back in can break the box where it is jammed up against #8 primary tube. may need to drop the header down so you don't have to take box back out and glass it back up. and some type of stick-on insulation. maybe on inside and out of box will help. if originality is issue do up the inside only.
Cleaned mine with it in place, but the inside heater box was out to replace the heater core. Compressed air from the inside with a vacuum tube snaked in from downstream of the fan. The condenser box got insulation inside and outside. With maintaining originality, The outside got a 1’x2’ stick-on sheet of high-temp insulation, but without exposing the sticky stuff. It has stayed put on its own and blocks a lot of heat right where the exhaust nears the box. To keep the evaporator clean in the future wrap the plastic screens at the intake plenums with 1” thick fiber filtration material. A thinner sheet of activated carbon mesh underneath makes it more like a modern cabin air filter.
Charlie
Nice work Charlie.
And Yes, I should have mentioned the screening for the intake are as well. No point in cleaning all that crud out just to have it fill up again!
I've always used a fine wire mesh in the past, but I really like your idea of the fiber filtration material.
Yes Rick, that is very similar to what I've used in the past. As long as you put something there to keep all the crud from refilling that area, you'll be good to go.
A leaf and a few bent fins. Inspection cam fed down past the Squirrel cage took this pic. No dissasembly required. Not sure I want to tear it apart just for that but nice to know.
A leaf and a few bent fins. Inspection cam fed down past the Squirrel cage took this pic. No dissasembly required. Not sure I want to tear it apart just for that but nice to know.
that was mine also..very few small debris..fins were ok..
you can also remove the resistor and you can see into area as well and snake a vacuum down there (small hose adapter taped to vacuum) and from blower motor
that was mine also..very few small debris..fins were ok..
you can also remove the resistor and you can see into area as well and snake a vacuum down there (small hose adapter taped to vacuum) and from blower motor
I was wondering about that too. I have an endoscope that I could send thru that hole and maybe see how bad it is. Cause there seems to be a lot between me getting it opened up from the outside, not near as open as what Greg showed in his picture. So I have been delaying any work towards that, as other things have gotten in the way. Thanks Interpon
Calling Greg about AC improvement
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