A/C Removal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
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From: Inver Grove Minnesota
A/C Removal
I want to take out the A/C in my 78. I have the compressor out and all of its brackets. To take out the condenser do I need to drain the coolant? Is there anything else that I should be aware of before I continue?
Last edited by JustinD; May 7, 2006 at 05:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
you should not need to remove the antifreeze coolant do you mean the refrigerant? You will have to remove the hood to get the condensor out. Are you interested in selling the lines? My car has the condensor [purchased from vette crazzy] and no lines If so P.M. me.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
My Hanes manual said to have the system discharged by a dealer then to remove the coolant. I got it out without taking the hood off. I loosened the bracket that holds the radiator and condenser in place. I have it all out but I'm not sure about the box mounted to the firewall on the passanger side. It says air conditioning but I'm not sure.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
The box that you are talking about is the evaporator. It also houses the heater core. You are probably better off leaving it alone unless you plan on making a bunch of modifications under the hood to where you need the room. You did good getting the condensor out with the hood installed. Why have you decided to eliminate the factory a/c?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: Beacon NY
I removed the AC from my '79. In the 6+ years I have owned the car, I have never once turned it on. If it is warm enough to have the AC on, then it is warm enough to put down the windows. Even when I lived in Georgia for a year I didn't get around to turning on the AC.
I removed my evaporator and now I'm working on trying to seal the fiberglass cover so that my heat and vents still work properly. It is a failry straight forward removal. However, I do have the engine out of my car at the moment and work space isn't an issue.
I removed my evaporator and now I'm working on trying to seal the fiberglass cover so that my heat and vents still work properly. It is a failry straight forward removal. However, I do have the engine out of my car at the moment and work space isn't an issue.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
It started out as taking off the manifolds to put in some headers. I got a little ambitious and pulled it out. If I get to hot I just take off the t-tops anyways. Now I just have to wait for the headers to arrive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Just removed the only A/C part left on my 72 this past weekend.
The condensor is that extra radiator looking thing attached on the front of your engine coolant radiator. Easy off. For a clean look, remove the evap too.
The evaporator is inside the external box mounted to the firewall in the engine compartment. You can remove this box (two halves) and take out the evaporator. This leaves two holes in the case from the pipes. I fabricated two plugs out of scrap fiberglass that are press fitted in, then RTV'd them in place. Painted the box for install. Leave the resistor etc.. and all wire connections in, and your heater/fan speeds will work normal.
Unfortunatly you can't replace the "outer" A/C box with a non-A/C box withough extensive fiberglass work on the firewall and or cover. A/C box is bigger, hole in firewall is bigger, and so is the internal heater box. Can't replace the heater core on A/C car from the engine bay either!!!
Good luck...
Eddie
The condensor is that extra radiator looking thing attached on the front of your engine coolant radiator. Easy off. For a clean look, remove the evap too.
The evaporator is inside the external box mounted to the firewall in the engine compartment. You can remove this box (two halves) and take out the evaporator. This leaves two holes in the case from the pipes. I fabricated two plugs out of scrap fiberglass that are press fitted in, then RTV'd them in place. Painted the box for install. Leave the resistor etc.. and all wire connections in, and your heater/fan speeds will work normal.
Unfortunatly you can't replace the "outer" A/C box with a non-A/C box withough extensive fiberglass work on the firewall and or cover. A/C box is bigger, hole in firewall is bigger, and so is the internal heater box. Can't replace the heater core on A/C car from the engine bay either!!!
Good luck...
Eddie
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 0
From: Inver Grove Minnesota
I don't get to drive much up here in Minnesota. Just took it out for the first time abut a month ago, and it will be back in the garage for the winter in early november.
