Compressor Removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Compressor Removal
I need to get the A/C compressor out because its just dead weight. I had to pull the A/C when installing the Pfadt headers. Already got the condenser and hard lines out as well as the tensioner and idler for the A/C belt.
Just trying to find the best way to do this. From the looks, I need to jack up the car, set it on stands, and put the jack under the engine with a block of wood to support it while dropping the cradle enough to get it out. I see that the engine mounts will need removed to do this. Anything else that will hinder the cradle from dropping enough? I wont jack the engine up so I dont break the intake up top. Id hate to get all this done and find that I can even get to the darn thing or get it out after removing the bolts.
Just trying to find the best way to do this. From the looks, I need to jack up the car, set it on stands, and put the jack under the engine with a block of wood to support it while dropping the cradle enough to get it out. I see that the engine mounts will need removed to do this. Anything else that will hinder the cradle from dropping enough? I wont jack the engine up so I dont break the intake up top. Id hate to get all this done and find that I can even get to the darn thing or get it out after removing the bolts.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Okay so here's where I'm at. I have the compressor completely free just sitting on the cradle. Car is help up by stands at the puck locations and the engine mounts are removed. But my jack is being used to support the engine and I only have the two stands.. So lowering the cradle is where Im stuck. I guess I will need to borrow a second jack.
I came in to do a little more research and it seems the real way to do this is to drain the coolant and remove the pump so it can me removed from the front. But I want to avoid that mess. Once the cradle comes down it should be simpler than all that. Hope Im on the right track. Thats what my tuner said he does to get compressors out.
Open to any insight while I try to locate another jack and or some stands to support the engine to be be able to lower the cradle.
I came in to do a little more research and it seems the real way to do this is to drain the coolant and remove the pump so it can me removed from the front. But I want to avoid that mess. Once the cradle comes down it should be simpler than all that. Hope Im on the right track. Thats what my tuner said he does to get compressors out.
Open to any insight while I try to locate another jack and or some stands to support the engine to be be able to lower the cradle.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Anyone in the Oceanside/San Diego area feel up to coming by with a jack so I can finish this up? 
Plenty of beer and vette talk to be had 
haha I know thats a long shot, but unfortunately I dont know anyone with a jack. I have till next Thursday when the next race is to get it done.
Plenty of beer and vette talk to be had haha I know thats a long shot, but unfortunately I dont know anyone with a jack. I have till next Thursday when the next race is to get it done.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
Anyone in the Oceanside/San Diego area feel up to coming by with a jack so I can finish this up? Plenty of beer and vette talk to be had
haha I know thats a long shot, but unfortunately I dont know anyone with a jack. I have till next Thursday when the next race is to get it done.
Plenty of beer and vette talk to be had haha I know thats a long shot, but unfortunately I dont know anyone with a jack. I have till next Thursday when the next race is to get it done.
Hey, I just took my A/C out and you do not need to do all that. Google junkman's AC compressor replacement. It shows pictures and step by step how to get out. Does it better than I could explain.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: Palatine IL
It doesn't come out with the header off? I dropped my motor out the bottom with the AC compressor unbolted but still connected to the lines. Then again, the head was off but I'm pretty sure you can get the motor in from the bottom with the heads on. Will find out soon.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Junkmans's writeup has the water pump out and stock headers. I have mine in and LT headers. It wont come out from the top. Im actually just 4 bolts from being done with this job. Once the cradle is dropped, it will come out through the passengers side wheel well. Just need to have a jack under it to let it down softly and be able to raise it back up again. Its a very simple job if you have everything you need.
Really it can be removed in about 20 minuts. I put the car on stands, removed the compressor bolts, placed the jack with a 2x4 under the oil pan and removed the mount nuts. Then its just 4 bolts to lower the cradle a few inches, slide it out, and go back together. Just need a second jack.
Really it can be removed in about 20 minuts. I put the car on stands, removed the compressor bolts, placed the jack with a 2x4 under the oil pan and removed the mount nuts. Then its just 4 bolts to lower the cradle a few inches, slide it out, and go back together. Just need a second jack.
Last edited by NukeC5; Jun 4, 2014 at 08:26 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 871
Likes: 4
From: Pembroke Pines Fl.
Silverbullet6spd is correct take off your water pump , r/h exhaust shield if installed . right front tire and remove the 4 bolts . comes out from top. pain in the ***!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I completed this job today with ease. It was much easier than I though it would be. All you need is two jacks and two stands. If I had all this from the get go I would have removed the compressor in a total of 45 minutes.
Simply raise the vehicle, support from the puck locations with the two stands, remove the engine mount nuts and place a jack with a 2x4 under the pan, then place a jack under the cradle, remove the 4 cradle nuts and lower the cradle. This creates enough room between the engine and the cradle to slide the compressor out from the wheel well. Then just jack the cradle back into place. This was seriously a very easy and clean job. No BS with the coolant and water pump or exhaust manifold.
Simply raise the vehicle, support from the puck locations with the two stands, remove the engine mount nuts and place a jack with a 2x4 under the pan, then place a jack under the cradle, remove the 4 cradle nuts and lower the cradle. This creates enough room between the engine and the cradle to slide the compressor out from the wheel well. Then just jack the cradle back into place. This was seriously a very easy and clean job. No BS with the coolant and water pump or exhaust manifold.
