ac removal: stages?

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I had the freon recovered my AC system and want to start pulling it. Any "gotchas" ahead? Is there oil in the lines/condensers/etc? Ideally I was thinking I'd pull the compressor and rear condenser, then get to the other stuff later (have the long lines/front condenser pulled when it could be on a lift). Can I do this, or does it have to be a one-shot deal?

HarryD · 08-20-2004, 11:42 PM

Todd,

I would assume your AC is similar to my '73. I pulled the rear stuff and then drove around for 2 years before pulling the front condenser. I still have the long lines as I have not had a chance to pull them yet.

The only thing "special" I did was get some tie-wraps to hold the ends of the hoses out of the way.

wswilburn · 08-21-2004, 08:22 AM

You may find a small amount of oil in the hoses, but not much. The hardest part I found to be pulling the hoses out of the evaporator box from underneath. The hose to the drier was so stiff I had to cut it at pull it out from each end.

RoninLB · 08-21-2004, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic

Any "gotchas" ahead?

If you have the original poris lines just chop&dump them, but save the end fittings.

Don't sweat breaking a clip or 2 in smugglers box clean-out. Try not to damage the plastic case. You may have a vent connection that has to be removed beforehand under the pass floorboard that connects into the smugglers comp.

When removing tub lines under the car save the clamps and be ready with a washer and some sealer or dum dum to seal the screws.

arcsine · 08-21-2004, 03:32 PM

There is not an issue leaving the other stuff but I pulled the entire system in a day. Just hop in and get it done. I second Ronins recommendation of some seal for the line brakets.

FenderGuy · 08-21-2004, 03:59 PM

nostatic has a pm

Porschekid962 · Porschekid962's Garage

At last the AC comes out!! are you giving it to tyson for his new car? hahaha. I just did this last night and had one hiccup. The evaporator in the smugglers box needs to be unscrewed from the passenger side inside the car behind the floorboard. There is another post on the forum with pics of this. Hope the rest doesnt give you too much of a hard time.

I started at the back and worked forward, compressor, bracket, decklid grill radiator, hoses, dryer, then the interior console and lastly the evaporator. The hoses are a PITA to pull through the body grommets but it can be done.

KTL · 08-26-2004, 01:33 AM

I don't know if the SC layout is the same as the Carrera. But on my Carrera, there was a C-bracket behind the front suspension protective belly pan that held one of the lines in place. I pulled like a tug-of-war to get that line out. If I had known that bracket was the hangup, I would have certainly removed the pan to get at it. Other than that, removing all the stuff was a piece of cake. A dirty piece of cake, but that's they way it goes sometimes.

I left the smuggler's box evap. unit in place. Doing so leaves you with a fan to blow air thru the center vents.

And Ron is certainly right. That case is kinda fragile and the clips are easily popped off, then lost. If you don't have any dum dum to fill the vacated holes? RTV is a suitable alternative. Preferably clear. Blue and copper are kinda tacky looking.