A/C System removal

[ddcobra74]

Got a 1980 Scottsdale 10 I'm restoring, took the engine/tranny out today and gonna clean up the engine bay next. Looking to get rid of the factory A/C system. Is there a way to do it myself without breaking the system? Or will I have to bring it to a shop? Thanks for the help!

[gildardo01]

just out of curiosity... why are you getting rid of the A/C? you dont like driving around with nice cool air...

[ddcobra74]

Want to clean the bay up for a "show" look, that and having the windows down is AC enough for me   

[travisr1988]

I'm in the same boat, I don't want A/C, mine doesn't work and I'm used to the windows down anyway, I prefer the windows down actually. It's pretty straight forward, disconnect the lines at the compressor and the heater/A/C box or condensor and evaporator core and remove them, remove the core, unbolt the compressor and remove it, you have a belt specifically for the compressor so no need to put it back on. Then remove the brackets (you will probably need to find a non A/C power steering bracket).

[bowdown916]

Anyone have found that bracket? I'm thinking on doing the same

[Batman13]

You can get the power steering only brackets from Summit Racing.  That's where mine came from.  Billet aluminum. 

[bake74]

     ddcobra74, is your system still charged ?  If so you should evacuate the system first before just taking it apart.  They sell kits for doing that.

[ddcobra74]

I did end up taking the system off. Thanks for the help! Looks better already!  One question, with the core and it's housing gone, is there a heater-only housing that replaces it? Maybe just an OEM part from a non-A/C truck of the same year?

[jwilbt]

I

[bowdown916]

I think I'm gonna take then both out and weld a piece of sheet metal over the ac and heater...

[Jason S]

One question, with the core and it's housing gone, is there a heater-only housing that replaces it? Maybe just an OEM part from a non-A/C truck of the same year?

The heater-only trucks had a smaller housing than the A/C trucks; however the hole on the firewall of an A/c truck is in a different location than on the heater-only trucks.  There have been many threads posted on here about removing the A/C.  Below are just a few of them.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,21567.msg177418.html#msg177418
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,23907.msg199789.html#msg199789
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,21640.msg178184.html#msg178184
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,13786.msg105175.html#msg105175
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,20115.msg163512.html#msg163512