Hey guys, I need some help. I am in the process of removing my AC from my 77. Don't try to talk me into keeping it. I have seen some removals but, alot of them look like they took a hack saw to it. I want to do it properly.

I have already removed the compressor and brackets, but, now want to remove the condensor. I have checked the manual and it does not say anything about removing the hood. Can't see how it can be done otherwise. I would also like to remove the accumulator and hard lines as well. What is the best way to do this? Also, can I get a regular non AC cover for the heater?

I would appreciate any help on this.

 

You should be able to replace the evaporator box with a non-A/C box (underhood pieces). All the lines can be cut and pulled out. The condenser is bolted to the core support at the four corners. You may be able to unbolt from underneath with the hood closed and pull it out the top with the hood open. You are right there is limited room.

 

Code blu.. it's your lucky day - I just finished this A/C uninstall 2 minutes ago.. the writeup is comming

 

Alright.. first things first. Take out the coffee can or pie actuator and the bracket that opens and closes the wiper door. Disconnect the brackets for the dryer from the boxes (you will have to take out the side fender louver).. make sure nothing is still connected. Next, start going around the boxes and looking for screws there are about 5 or 6 screws total that connect the boxes. After that, you will have to pry the boxes open with a flathead screwdriver (be careful here, you can crack the boxes) use this prying to see if any screws are left attaching the boxes. Now remove the boxes from the actual firewall itself. Next, if you look into the interior ductwork of the car, you will notice that you can remove it almost completely from the interior, there is one screw (it actually looks like a rivit or something) near the top where the vent door open cable is - this screw is why it is important to remove the boxes in the engine bay first - because the screw is actually on the other side and the only way you can get to it is to first remove the boxes in the engine bay. The rest should be self explanitory from here on out.

I have pictures if you need further help - I just can't find that damn USB 2.0 cable, and I'll have to go home to get it.

Take care, hope this helps

- Michael

**Edit** I see you have a 77.. I hope they are somewhat similar (minus the fender louvers)

 

What are you planning to do with all of the A/C parts? Let me know.

 

Thanks for the tips everyone. Michael I would love to see the pictures of you removing the ac if possible. Please post if you can. It sounds like there are some differences but, the procedure should, I would hope be the same. I am definitely interested in seeing how you did it.

As far as getting the condenser out I have tried loosening the screws but, cannot get it out without removing the hood, it is way too tight. I'll take another look at it before I do.

As far as the left over parts, I will not throw them away but, don't know how good they will be as I have owned the car for almost 5 yrs. and the ac has not run and I believe the guy I bought it from didn't run it for a few years before that. I have everything except for the bracket (rod) that goes from the compressor to the manifold.

If you want after I remove everything I can take a picture of the parts and post. Hope I can do that.

 

...I did this A/C "uninstall" earlier this Spring to my '75 when I "installed"my new GM Crate Motor & changed the car over to a 4spd car. It's easier to "uninstall" A/C from an A/C car to make it a non-A/C car than to make a "non-A/C" car an A/C car.

...first things first. You CANNOT simply remove your A/C housing box(inside engine compartment)and bolt a "non-A/C" heater core cover box over it-doesn't work that way. On an A/C car, the heater core sits vertically, whereas a non-A/C takes a different heater core + it sits horizontally. The inside heater box(behind the passenger side dash)is also different from an A/C one. The hole for the A/C box is also a bit larger meaning a non-A/C heater box cover will not simply cover it up. I sold the A/C parts for pretty much the same money I used to convert my car to a non-A/C car. I even changed the heater controls & wiper switch bezel to a non A/C car style. 99% of the people looking at my car wouldn't know that I did this. It'd probably take someone that did this project like me to "know" what I did.

...Anyways, I love it-less BS to go wrong, more room & a cleaner look in the engine compartment-to me, anyways.

 

Thank you Paul for the photos. I can see we are on the same wave length here. Interesting that you also converted to a 4 speed, I am also wanting to do that this winter. Any words of wisdom on that?

 

...yeah, it's EASIER to convert an automatic car over to a 4spd car vs. making a 4spd car an automatic...

...worst part of the job was dropping the driver's side dash & steering column to install the manual transmission clutch/brake pedal assembly, but that's another thread...

...I've put 4,000mi on my "now" '75 4spd A/C delete car and have not regretted it for a moment---well, maybe EXCEPT when I was stuck in a 4 hour creeping traffic jam in 94 degree heat on the way to Bloomington this past June...

 

keisler transmissions sell a kit to completely convert from automatic to manual. I haven't gotten around to buying it just yet (and I immagine I won't for the time to come because of the price (about $3,000).

anyways, at http://www.keislerauto.com they sell a complete kit that just drops right in place of your automatic transmission.

 

...I have about $1300 in my conversion to a "correct" Borg-Warner Super T10 with a brand new Hurst Competition Plus shifter...

 

Still need them pics? I've got em.

 

Thanks but, I don't need the pics anymore as I finally have the AC removed. Well almost, I have to remove the piping from AC box and thats it. I have removed everything else. I did have to remove the hood to remove the condensor. It really wasn't all that bad and I really like how it looks now. I will not go to the extent of changing out the heater and controls as I am ok with the look. But, I will open up the box to remove the inside of the box.

Gee with the hood off I may as well remove the drivetrain and swap to manual..... oh oh I am getting out of hand. There is still some good driving left.

Thanks guys.

 

Do you intend to sell the old units
please reply to my e mail
mopkop@netvigator.com
J Smit