A/C removal questions

EdT82SC · 09-25-2003, 09:22 PM

I removed the A/C in my 82 SC a couple months back, but there are a couple things I would like to do to finish up the job.

1) There are two holes that should be filled up. The first being the hole between the smuggler's box and the cabin. The second in the trunk where the front condenser was. Should I just go to a machine shop, and have them cut me some peices of sheet metal to cover these? What should I use for a gasket? The old foam ones fell apart on removal.

2) I think it would be cool to hook up the fresh air blower to blow air out of the center A/C dash vents. Has anyone done this, and if so can you share what you did? Maybe some pictures?

Thanks,

RoninLB · 09-25-2003, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EdT82SC

2) I think it would be cool to hook up the fresh air blower to blow air out of the center A/C dash vents. Has anyone done this, and if so can you share what you did? Maybe some pictures?

Makaio did this successfully.. maybe a search or e-mail him.....Ron

Pat S · 09-26-2003, 04:35 AM

I filled the two holes going from the smugglers box to the cabin and the part that carried AC to the underdash vents which I also removed. I got some sheet metal from Home Depot, some caulk, and some sheet metal screws. I then cut out carboard in the correct shapes to cover each hole with about 3/4" overlap. I traced the cardboard onto the sheetmetal then cut it out. Then caulked the edges and screwed it on about every three inches. Welding would be better but I can't weld. I then re-caulked the edges just to make sure it was a good seal and then I spray painted the whole thing flat black.

Pat

mperkins · 09-26-2003, 07:34 AM

Ed, as for the hole in the trunk where the front condensor was.. I went to Home Depot and bought some aluminum flash siding - cut it perfectly and used the exsiting holes and screws from the black electric fan motor that used to be there. When cutting the siding to size - a good idea is to round the edges - to prevent the carpetting and other stuff from getting snagged as those edges are pretty sharp. Then before putting it into place i applied some clear silicone around the edges to create a good seal and keep moisture from coming through.

So far so good - and i love all the extra space!

I'm looking to sell my entire A/C unit (includes the upgraded Seiko compressor) - PM me if interested.

Maurice Perkins
1980 SC Coupe

EdT82SC · 09-26-2003, 09:05 AM

Pat and Maurice,

I like the idea of doing the sheet metal myself. What is a good tool for cutting sheet metal or aluminum flash siding? About the only thing I have that could cut metal is some wire clippers, and they aren't the right tool for the job.

Thanks,

ipapilot · 09-26-2003, 09:19 AM

I have found that tin snips work pretty well. I think Home Depot has them in the tool area along with drills, hammers, etc. If you ever anticipate reinstalling your ac, I would just use weatherstripping to reseal it.

makaio · 09-26-2003, 09:31 AM

Ed, you have e-mail.

I'll try to send the picture when I get home (hopefully within the next week)

I have to get off so I can go to Laguna next week

!

Pat S · 09-26-2003, 09:41 AM

Yep, I used a pair of tin snips from home depot as well

scottb · 09-26-2003, 02:34 PM

Maurice: You have mail.

Scott