IS there a trick? A/C lines replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 178
Likes: 15
From: Maineville OH
IS there a trick? A/C lines replacement
81 vette
So, I spent this morning trying to get the broken bolt out of the head where the A/C bracket goes, with no luck. I actually broke an extractor. Going to drill it out and tap...
In the meantime, I was looking at the hoses coming off of the compressor. I have the replacements, since my low pressure line leaks like someone shot it with bird shot. Looking at the line going to the condenser, it looks like it would be a snap to get loose if I take the hood off. That might be problematic if I am the only one at the house for a while. Looking at the other side, if I take my passenger side vent off of my fender, I can reach right in and grab the line coupling. No way am I going to fit a large enough wrench in there to loosen it up.
Is there a trick I am missing, or do I just need to find a really short set of wrenches for one, and remove the hood for the other?
Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
So, I spent this morning trying to get the broken bolt out of the head where the A/C bracket goes, with no luck. I actually broke an extractor. Going to drill it out and tap...
In the meantime, I was looking at the hoses coming off of the compressor. I have the replacements, since my low pressure line leaks like someone shot it with bird shot. Looking at the line going to the condenser, it looks like it would be a snap to get loose if I take the hood off. That might be problematic if I am the only one at the house for a while. Looking at the other side, if I take my passenger side vent off of my fender, I can reach right in and grab the line coupling. No way am I going to fit a large enough wrench in there to loosen it up.
Is there a trick I am missing, or do I just need to find a really short set of wrenches for one, and remove the hood for the other?
Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
The lines go thru a cut-out of sorts in rad support bracket. i took out my rad support and the lines and condensor are right there with nothing in the way. broken ez out. broken in the bolt? you ain't drilling it out.
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 15, 2018 at 02:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
Removing the hood by yourself is not that terribly difficult. Here are some recent pointers. You're better off removing it to do the work....instead of damaging things:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-r-and-r.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-r-and-r.html
81 vette
So, I spent this morning trying to get the broken bolt out of the head where the A/C bracket goes, with no luck. I actually broke an extractor. Going to drill it out and tap...
In the meantime, I was looking at the hoses coming off of the compressor. I have the replacements, since my low pressure line leaks like someone shot it with bird shot. Looking at the line going to the condenser, it looks like it would be a snap to get loose if I take the hood off. That might be problematic if I am the only one at the house for a while. Looking at the other side, if I take my passenger side vent off of my fender, I can reach right in and grab the line coupling. No way am I going to fit a large enough wrench in there to loosen it up.
Is there a trick I am missing, or do I just need to find a really short set of wrenches for one, and remove the hood for the other?
Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
So, I spent this morning trying to get the broken bolt out of the head where the A/C bracket goes, with no luck. I actually broke an extractor. Going to drill it out and tap...
In the meantime, I was looking at the hoses coming off of the compressor. I have the replacements, since my low pressure line leaks like someone shot it with bird shot. Looking at the line going to the condenser, it looks like it would be a snap to get loose if I take the hood off. That might be problematic if I am the only one at the house for a while. Looking at the other side, if I take my passenger side vent off of my fender, I can reach right in and grab the line coupling. No way am I going to fit a large enough wrench in there to loosen it up.
Is there a trick I am missing, or do I just need to find a really short set of wrenches for one, and remove the hood for the other?
Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
You can get to the right front lower metal condenser line without taking the hood off. There is space between the hood and the front valence panel to work on it. I have an '81 also.
Craig
Craig
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 178
Likes: 15
From: Maineville OH
Ok, thanks, guys. I was not aware of a tool to separate them. I'll see if I can get a loaner from Autozone.
Good thing I asked before trying to force things apart.
Good thing I asked before trying to force things apart.
Last edited by DVAST8R_88; Sep 15, 2018 at 05:24 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 297
Likes: 43
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 269
From: S.E. MI
St. Jude Donor '15
To loosen the lines on the accumulator just take the lines off the compressor, unbolt the accumulator . Then you have to take the rocker panel and shield on the bottom of the fender off. Then you just have to pull the accumulator down through the bottom of the fender. It is easy to get the line off then.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 474
Likes: 64
From: Portage La Prairie Manitoba
81 vette
So, I spent this morning trying to get the broken bolt out of the head where the A/C bracket goes, with no luck. I actually broke an extractor. Going to drill it out and tap...
In the meantime, I was looking at the hoses coming off of the compressor. I have the replacements, since my low pressure line leaks like someone shot it with bird shot. Looking at the line going to the condenser, it looks like it would be a snap to get loose if I take the hood off. That might be problematic if I am the only one at the house for a while. Looking at the other side, if I take my passenger side vent off of my fender, I can reach right in and grab the line coupling. No way am I going to fit a large enough wrench in there to loosen it up.
Is there a trick I am missing, or do I just need to find a really short set of wrenches for one, and remove the hood for the other?
Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
So, I spent this morning trying to get the broken bolt out of the head where the A/C bracket goes, with no luck. I actually broke an extractor. Going to drill it out and tap...
In the meantime, I was looking at the hoses coming off of the compressor. I have the replacements, since my low pressure line leaks like someone shot it with bird shot. Looking at the line going to the condenser, it looks like it would be a snap to get loose if I take the hood off. That might be problematic if I am the only one at the house for a while. Looking at the other side, if I take my passenger side vent off of my fender, I can reach right in and grab the line coupling. No way am I going to fit a large enough wrench in there to loosen it up.
Is there a trick I am missing, or do I just need to find a really short set of wrenches for one, and remove the hood for the other?
Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 178
Likes: 15
From: Maineville OH
Cool. Thanks for the info, guys.
I actually looked at a crow's foot set earlier today, but didn't know if they would be large enough for the fittings. I may go that route first just to see how it goes.
It has been mid 90s here this past week, and I could really use some a/c. I'm just glad I have the t-top inserts for the glass tees, or I would really be cooking.
I actually looked at a crow's foot set earlier today, but didn't know if they would be large enough for the fittings. I may go that route first just to see how it goes.
It has been mid 90s here this past week, and I could really use some a/c. I'm just glad I have the t-top inserts for the glass tees, or I would really be cooking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 797
Likes: 156
From: England AR
I hate the reason you need a crowfoot wrench, but damn if they aren't the most useful tool you'll rarely use
Racer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 297
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