Corvette A/C Delete
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Corvette A/C Delete
Hi, I have a 74 Vette and want to delete the A/C system completely from the car. I am planning on removing the a/c condenser from the firewall and want to replace it with the factory cover that had the fan blower and covered the heater core.
My question is: I can see the a/c condenser takes up a larger area, however I am hoping the hole in the firewall behind the condenser was the same size on both a/c and NON a/c cars. If this is the case, the transfer should be somewhat easy.
Does anyone know if this is the case. If it isnt, is there a way with not too much fabricating to get it to work, and still have the factory cover for the OEM look?
thanks,
Ray
My question is: I can see the a/c condenser takes up a larger area, however I am hoping the hole in the firewall behind the condenser was the same size on both a/c and NON a/c cars. If this is the case, the transfer should be somewhat easy.
Does anyone know if this is the case. If it isnt, is there a way with not too much fabricating to get it to work, and still have the factory cover for the OEM look?
thanks,
Ray
Last edited by LS7Vette; May 31, 2009 at 10:16 PM. Reason: Improper Wording
Burning Brakes
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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Bluethunder thanks for the link and info. It looks good and I may go that route. I was comparing the general look and bolt pattern to the factory cover on a NON a/c car and they look the same. They also look to cover around the same size area on the firewall (if this is the case the whole size is probably the same). The only difference I can see is the area where the hoses connect to the heater core. I would still prefer to go with the factory cover and change the heater core to make it fit. Does anyone know if this will definitely work using all old OEM parts?
76 Yellow, I would like to remove the whole system, or atleast as much as needed to give it a 100% factory look.
thanks for all the help,
Ray
76 Yellow, I would like to remove the whole system, or atleast as much as needed to give it a 100% factory look.
thanks for all the help,
Ray
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Warrenville IL
The AC and non-AC housing in the engine compartment have the same bolt pattern and bolt to the firewall exactly the same way. I've been looking into this for a while as I've been considering adding factory AC to my '75.
It's been a while but if I remember correctly you will need to do the following to change the car from a factory AC to a factory non-AC.
In the Engine Compartment:
In the Interior:
This is a big project. And from what I remember reading not easy. The firewall box can be replaced easily for non-AC cars as the shorter box provides access to the bolts. In fact non-AC cars can replace the heater core from the engine compartment without issue. AC cars have a lot of trouble getting to the bolts along the fender because of how far the AC housing sticks out from the firewall.
It's been a while but if I remember correctly you will need to do the following to change the car from a factory AC to a factory non-AC.
In the Engine Compartment:
- Remove the compressor, compressor lines and compressor brackets (you likely will have to drain the coolant and pull the lines to the heater core to complete this).
- Remove the condensor and condensor brackets.
- Remove the VIR assembly and/or other small components.
- Remove the engine side box on the firewall that houses the evaporator core and replace with a non-AC housing.
- Remove the AC wiring harness
- Change the fan pully to the a smaller size and change the belts.
In the Interior:
- Pull the lower left hand and right hand dash pads.
- Pull the center gauge cluser.
- Pull the shift plate cover.
- Replace the center diverter behind the gauge cluster with a non-AC unit (no center vent under the windshield wiper controls and no vent near the ignition in the left hand dash pad). You'll need to search a used parts dealer for this, or ebay, they don't make repo's.
- Replace the lower left hand dash pad for one without AC.
- Replace the AC control ***** with a non-AC unit.
- Replace the center duct with a non-AC face place (center gauge cluster below the windshield wiper switch)
- Replace the duct work on the right hand side with non-AC ductwork (less moving part/doors)
This is a big project. And from what I remember reading not easy. The firewall box can be replaced easily for non-AC cars as the shorter box provides access to the bolts. In fact non-AC cars can replace the heater core from the engine compartment without issue. AC cars have a lot of trouble getting to the bolts along the fender because of how far the AC housing sticks out from the firewall.
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WJSullivan,
Thanks for all the information on this subject, its been a real help. You answered all my questions in one post and saved me a lot of time. I am going to do the swap as I am also changing the engine to an LS7 454 with a factory appearence. I think it will be a little easier removing the A/C parts while the engine is out.
Once again thanks for all the detailed information on this and for all the others who helped as well,
Ray
Thanks for all the information on this subject, its been a real help. You answered all my questions in one post and saved me a lot of time. I am going to do the swap as I am also changing the engine to an LS7 454 with a factory appearence. I think it will be a little easier removing the A/C parts while the engine is out.
Once again thanks for all the detailed information on this and for all the others who helped as well,
Ray
Team Owner
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