Removing OEM A/C parts for upgrade?

[mike sampsel]

Just documenting what I did, no questions as yet.

Day three or so.

All hoses removed, I used my dremel wheel to cut the hoses to make extraction easier.

Removed the steering linkage pan to get better access to the lines running to the since removed expansion valve and evaporator.

The clamps on the expansion valve/fan housing box were slid off after I sprayed them with WD-40 oil. Then the removal of the other part under the passenger footboard (four screws) allowed the removal of the thing which kept the evap case in the smugglers box. (oh there was some mounting hardware inside the smugglers box too.)

Cut the big line from the compressor and then it pulled up through up into the smugglers box. Cut the line to the small side of the evap and worked it through the brake lines and out.

Removed the lines to the front condenser, and cut the big one with a dremel after removing the three clamps in the front fender. Pulled the big line in through the wheel well. The small line I pulled out toward the condenser.

Cutting the line up close to the washer bottle lessened the likelihood of spilling leftover compressor oil. I pulled the line through the wheel well since I had already pulled the line this way and there was nothing to grab on the compressor side.

The front condenser was easy to remove once the refridge tines were off, just three 10 mm bolts and the condenser and the screen came off.

The washer bottle was a bit tricky. After some struggles I looked in Bentley and I was doing things right. Bentley said to remove the clamp. not really though. Follow Bentley instructions, but cannot remove the clamp. just finesse ithe bottle out of the way and eventually the washer bottle comes out.

I needed1.5 - nearly 1.75 gallons to empty the washer reservoir which I did prior to removal (makes the fidgeting of the bottle easier). I ended up gravity draining my bottle after some went to the floor. Burned up my after market pump, trying to pump out the fluid. Anyway it drained out with the gas siphon method.


Need to source a Boxster washer bottle and to kit next. I'll be replacing the bottle no matter what. Still not sure about adding the A/C system.

If I do it will be griffiths front condenser as the second condenser and R134 (not doing R12).

Pretty lengthy job removing all the A/C parts (hoses etc.). Took me about three mornings. It's 91 degrees in the garage in the morning. Blew in some 75 degree air with a fan. I had previously removed the compressor and it's mount and the rear condenser when I rebuild the engine and painted the car in 2019.

So now I have removed all my old AC stuff (except the front condenser blower) and ready to install the boxster bottle and pump. I might have some questions then after I source the kit and the parts. Will my bottle be black or white?

[mike sampsel]

Here is my nearly empty smugglers box:

Drain hose and wiring harness related to (I think) fresh air blower and the AC fan switch? But not sure, hope to find out when/if I remove my AC ventilation system.

[mike sampsel]

Here is a bolt on the “horseshoe”, I almost removed to get out my washer bottle.
Sure glad I did NOT

[Uwon]

Mike, do you really need the Baxter bottle nd pump? Doesn’t the ‘78 have a bottle for the intensive cleaner that hangs beside the brake booster?
Top right hand corner in pic below.



The holes were already in place on my ‘78 based RST hot Rod. My bottle is from my crashed ‘86.

Cheers,
Johan

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by Uwon

Mike, do you really need the Baxter bottle nd pump? Doesn’t the ‘78 have a bottle for the intensive cleaner that hangs beside the brake booster?
Top right hand corner in pic below.



The holes were already in place on my ‘78 based RST hot Rod. My bottle is from my crashed ‘86.

Cheers,
Johan

There are some holes, but no bottle like your picture.
Your frunk is too clean. . Well, it is nice!

[speedster911]

curious- I see many upgrading to Griffiths don't see much about Renn air. I plan on upgrading my AC is one vendor better than the other??

[Uwon]

Originally Posted by mike sampsel

There are some holes, but no bottle like your picture.
Your frunk is too clean. . Well, it is nice!

There are two square holes for the bottle. The bottle has a hook that fits into the rear one. The front one is for a little self tapping screw that goes into one of those flimsy thin sheet metal nuts.
You should be able to buy a bottle used here on Pelican or from a dismantler.

[Uwon]

Originally Posted by speedster911

curious- I see many upgrading to Griffiths don't see much about Renn air. I plan on upgrading my AC is one vendor better than the other??

Don’t know much about Renn Air. I have been happy with Griffiths-great support and turn around.

I’m putting in a Classic Retrofit unit in my ‘71 restomod but it’s mucho dinero!!!

Johan