A/C Removal
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
A/C Removal
Two Part question - On my 79 vette, the factory air is still intact (I believe) but it does not work. I intend for this car to be a fair weather driver only. I am debating removing all the A/C components to free up engine bay space and reduce some unnecessary clutter. Any thoughts - should I leave well enough alone?
The second part is, the cabin tends to heat up a lot during hot summer days, I followed someone's advice and installed a shutoff valve on the hose leading to the heater core, but after a couple of hours, the cabin heats up quite a bit (quite a bit more than I expected) what can I do to block this heat from the engine? on a 79 can fresh air vents be installed? or is insulating the firewall the answer? I thought the shutoff was the answer.
The second part is, the cabin tends to heat up a lot during hot summer days, I followed someone's advice and installed a shutoff valve on the hose leading to the heater core, but after a couple of hours, the cabin heats up quite a bit (quite a bit more than I expected) what can I do to block this heat from the engine? on a 79 can fresh air vents be installed? or is insulating the firewall the answer? I thought the shutoff was the answer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Two Part question - On my 79 vette, the factory air is still intact (I believe) but it does not work. I intend for this car to be a fair weather driver only. I am debating removing all the A/C components to free up engine bay space and reduce some unnecessary clutter. Any thoughts - should I leave well enough alone?
The second part is, the cabin tends to heat up a lot during hot summer days, I followed someone's advice and installed a shutoff valve on the hose leading to the heater core, but after a couple of hours, the cabin heats up quite a bit (quite a bit more than I expected) what can I do to block this heat from the engine? on a 79 can fresh air vents be installed? or is insulating the firewall the answer? I thought the shutoff was the answer.
The second part is, the cabin tends to heat up a lot during hot summer days, I followed someone's advice and installed a shutoff valve on the hose leading to the heater core, but after a couple of hours, the cabin heats up quite a bit (quite a bit more than I expected) what can I do to block this heat from the engine? on a 79 can fresh air vents be installed? or is insulating the firewall the answer? I thought the shutoff was the answer.
Just kidding... but I couldn't resist.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
If you still have the catalytic converter under the floor, that's contributing to the heat. Make sure you have the foam rubber collar on top of the trans bellhousing to block hot air flowing down the trans tunnel. (That's the way my 77 with auto was and is.) I also put an insulting rigid foam piece over the top of the trans, but that requires trans removal. Keep the shutoff valve there, it helps. Also lower engine temps with a good radiator, fan and ALL seals around the rad. That will help lower interior temps. Then pull out all that AC stuff, you know you'll never fix it and it just clutters up the engine compartment. Pull the evaporator off the firewall too and cover the hole with a cover from acdelete.com.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
Personally I'd be hating it if the car origionally came with AC and a previous owner took it all off. Do some future owner a favour and save yourself some work and leave it alone. Better yet - take it to a mechanic and find our what needs to be repaired. My '79 didn't have the option and my wife would love it some days.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Personally I'd be hating it if the car origionally came with AC and a previous owner took it all off. Do some future owner a favour and save yourself some work and leave it alone. Better yet - take it to a mechanic and find our what needs to be repaired. My '79 didn't have the option and my wife would love it some days.
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I agree.
Re-doing the insulation would be wise. It's been 30 years, it could be torn up or someone may have removed it in the process.
If you still have a cat, verify there is a heat shield in place. In addition, make sure the exhaust hasn't been redone and is too close to the floor.
Re-doing the insulation would be wise. It's been 30 years, it could be torn up or someone may have removed it in the process.
If you still have a cat, verify there is a heat shield in place. In addition, make sure the exhaust hasn't been redone and is too close to the floor.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Hamilton Ontario
Thanks for the insulation and radiator tips, all good ideas. The car has had the exhaust changes before I got it. I will see what the clearances are like. Im sure the rad is original, I know the support needs to be replaced due to corrosion (previous owner drove the car in the winter! - ***hole!) Does anyone have a part number for the collar on top of the trans? (never heard of this before). Still think the A/C has got to go, wife will still ride with me regardless 
...lol I will be changing out the carpet this spring, and will use an upgraded insulation - the kind with the foil, also helps to keep the noise down, will that help my heating issue any?
...lol I will be changing out the carpet this spring, and will use an upgraded insulation - the kind with the foil, also helps to keep the noise down, will that help my heating issue any?
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Hamilton Ontario
Re: A/C removal for next owner. any parts I have removed for reasons of repair or replacement have been cleaned and stored in boxes. In case any subsequent owner wants "original" parts, they are there, I will do the same with the A/C, carefully remove so as nt to damage or further damage any lines etc. However, I suspect, this car will be with me for many years to come, still have tons to do to it. It's a slow process for me to bring this car back to it's former glory. Once done, I want to enjoy it, not sell it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Does anyone have a part number for the collar on top of the trans? (never heard of this before). Still think the A/C has got to go, wife will still ride with me regardless ...lol I will be changing out the carpet this spring, and will use an upgraded insulation - the kind with the foil, also helps to keep the noise down, will that help my heating issue any?
...lol I will be changing out the carpet this spring, and will use an upgraded insulation - the kind with the foil, also helps to keep the noise down, will that help my heating issue any?I recommend doing as much as possible, though. Damping layer, heat layer, and factory jute will make for a strong combination. Also make sure to check for any holes in the firewall that could be acting as feet warmers.
I think the firewall and trans tunnel are the two biggest causes of heat, followed by the exhaust.
I'm going to stress one more time you *really* should keep the A/C on the car and get it running, especially if you plan on cruising in the car. I took the A/C off my 78 and really regret it. It didn't really make the car all that much easier to service (yeah, the #2 spark plug is easier to get at but that's not really a big deal) and pretty much every time I've driven the car I've found myself stuck and wanting it.
It's on my gigantic to-do list.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Hamilton Ontario
With so many interior layers of insulation (damping layer, heat layer, and factory jute) does this not make it difficult to install factory carpet kits? Thanks for the A/C tip, and I totally understand and agree to a point, but when I run the car in the spring/summer/fall, the hottest days will likely find me on my motorcycle instead.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
I did what you are proposing and I live in Texas. 
I never planned for my car to be driven any time other than on the weekends in nice weather, which is limiting, I realize, but so is sorting through and/or paying for the a/c to be fixed. It's all in what your priorities are for the car and what's important to you personally.
I also ditched power steering, though i will likely go with a Borgeson unit down the road.
Here's a pic of how the engine bay looks now. If you are familiar with what a stock '81 engine bay looks, you'll know it is night and day.
I never planned for my car to be driven any time other than on the weekends in nice weather, which is limiting, I realize, but so is sorting through and/or paying for the a/c to be fixed. It's all in what your priorities are for the car and what's important to you personally.
I also ditched power steering, though i will likely go with a Borgeson unit down the road.
Here's a pic of how the engine bay looks now. If you are familiar with what a stock '81 engine bay looks, you'll know it is night and day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
Re: A/C removal for next owner. any parts I have removed for reasons of repair or replacement have been cleaned and stored in boxes. In case any subsequent owner wants "original" parts, they are there, I will do the same with the A/C, carefully remove so as nt to damage or further damage any lines etc. However, I suspect, this car will be with me for many years to come, still have tons to do to it. It's a slow process for me to bring this car back to it's former glory. Once done, I want to enjoy it, not sell it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
With so many interior layers of insulation (damping layer, heat layer, and factory jute) does this not make it difficult to install factory carpet kits? Thanks for the A/C tip, and I totally understand and agree to a point, but when I run the car in the spring/summer/fall, the hottest days will likely find me on my motorcycle instead.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Hamilton Ontario
My concern is not keeping the interior "cool", I expect the temp to be whatever the air temp is, that's ok, what I had an issue with last summer is additional heat radiating into the interior, sometimes while at speed, but mostly when stopped and idling in traffic. The car has original carpet, I suspect, the insulation is dust now after 30 years. So that's my big concern is keeping engine heat OUT.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Perhaps I misunderstand, but can you or can you not keep the blower/heater function with the ACDelete.com cover?
If one can keep the blower/heater, would the C4 blower upgrade still be possible?
If one can keep the blower/heater, would the C4 blower upgrade still be possible?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
I have a blower motor & fan cage from an s10 truck. The fan cage is about 1" deeper and provide a lot more airflow. I made a spacer and used longer bolts to install, otherwise the footprint is the same.
I'll try to get a pic for you if it will help.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: some hole in the ground town- camp verde:) arizona
i have the same heat issue in mine n i discovered that the hot air was comin out o the vents by the floor. i filled em with some insulation (that's easily removable not spray foam or anythin) n duct taped it shut. it helped greatly but the problem is still there slightly. before this it would light my feet on fire. when i put my hand down there the duct tape feels like it's about to melt away but it still holds. now that it's winter i've partly removed it for warmth.
heat n AC don't work. i've pulled the compressor to rebuild it but haven't the $ for a certain tool to do so.
heat n AC don't work. i've pulled the compressor to rebuild it but haven't the $ for a certain tool to do so.