Anyone remove their a/c system? I'm thinking about it
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Anyone remove their a/c system? I'm thinking about it
I've owned the car for just over 10 yrs during which the a/c has never worked. All of the parts are there but I once had it on and the bearings in the compressor failed and started smoking. Since the car is a vert and I only drive it about 200-300 or so miles a yr I'm thinking of removing everything related to the a/c. In the mountains of NC I can use the heat.
How can I tell if there is any R12 left in the system? Is there anything that is not obvious that I need to consider while removing the system? Any other tidbits of info I need to know?
Jim
How can I tell if there is any R12 left in the system? Is there anything that is not obvious that I need to consider while removing the system? Any other tidbits of info I need to know?
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Yup. I removed it from my 79 in 2001. I did leave the accumulator drier in it though. As for if any refrigerant is left in it, you would have to have it recovered with the appropriate equipment. After you have the refrigerant recovered (if any left in the system) The rest is straight forward. I found out I had some refrigerant left in it when I cracked one of the lines to the compressor open I got a nice cloud of it coming from the line I opened. It scared me and I ran out from the garage back into the utility room until it was empty. The garage was foggy after the remaining refrigerant escaped from the line. I did not think there was anymore from the then 25 year old Vette.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Sep 7, 2009 at 03:59 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth Virginia
Well mine has not worked in years....however I got a wild hair after I fixed the ac on my 71 buick and now I fixed it.
My wife now wants to drive the vette
Rip it off!!!!!!!
Just kidding I like driving my car alot more now just because I can say everything works, even the 33 year old ac system!
My wife now wants to drive the vette
Rip it off!!!!!!!
Just kidding I like driving my car alot more now just because I can say everything works, even the 33 year old ac system!
Last edited by JDemp; Sep 7, 2009 at 08:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Jim
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth Virginia
As for looking for r12 left in the system just find the low side port "next to the comp" and give the schrader valve a little push with a small flathead! If it still has 12 in it, I hear some junkyards are pulling the stuff out and re-selling it. Sounds strange but thats what I hear. Maybe they will pull it out for you 4 free!
GOOD LUCK!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
I have a friend who is the original owner of his '69 L71 coupe. He actually added factory A/C to the car from another Corvette. Took quite some time and had the front surround off in order to do it correctly. You would never know this car was not factory built that way. It's a lot of work to pull every component out that has to do with air conditioning and its a lot of parts that have to be changed/exchanged in order to make it exactly like the factory did it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
If you want to remove it there is no reason not to. If bearings smoked comp. is gone anyway. Keep all parts. You may change your mind or sell car someday. Seal evaporator and condenser if they are not removed as water will kill them if it gets in. If you want to fix system the forum and you can do that too. Car will be worth more with operating system. mds...
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
A/C rebuild.
I'm not trying to hi jack your thread 
but I've considered tearing my a/c out as well and possibly going with an after market option. Can anyone provide more info? I've done a few forum searches but haven't found an all encompassing A/C article yet. If the after market A/Cs work just as well as the factory I'll go with the cheaper option.
but I've considered tearing my a/c out as well and possibly going with an after market option. Can anyone provide more info? I've done a few forum searches but haven't found an all encompassing A/C article yet. If the after market A/Cs work just as well as the factory I'll go with the cheaper option.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
Vintage Air
I just did the same, took out the compressor, the heater box and the blower motor and case. This of course leaves a big rectangle in its place.
I plan on sealing it with a painted steel plate. When I get the funds ($1200) i will use the Vintage Air block off plate and their system....which blows alot colder air than stock.
Well, thats the game plan anyways!
I plan on sealing it with a painted steel plate. When I get the funds ($1200) i will use the Vintage Air block off plate and their system....which blows alot colder air than stock.
Well, thats the game plan anyways!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Champlin Minnesota
Sorry, don't mean to highjack, just trying to help out....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I removed all the AC stuff from my 77. Check acdelete.com for their cover piece for the firewall after you remove the evaporator. It fits over your existing heater core and makes the whole firewall look factory original.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I'm going to add another vote to keep it and fix it. It is a lot of trouble to completely remove-and make it look nice. For all the time and effort you could put a new compressor and dryer on and have it work. If you remove it, you will devalue the car at resale time.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I couldn't live without it in Florida and Texas. But here in Cali., I never needed it. The refrigerant got to be so expensive, so I yanked it. I use my condensor as my tranny cooler now.
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Mine has not worked in years. But I am going to leave it in. I figure if I ever sell it, it would be better to all be there and not work, rather than all missing. The new owner may want to fix it. And it is easier to replace things that are broken, rather than trying to figure out where everything goes if the parts are all ready removed.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
There is no good reason to remove the AC especially if you think it will mess up performance. Think of it this way, you can have the best of both worlds if you do it correctly.....you might say or call it 'cool' performance...
