i'm planning on taking out my A/C tommrow and I need some instruction. I know where it is and can follow the hoses leading to it and everything but are there any other steps? Do i have to plug any hoses or need any equiptment?


thanks
-tom

 

its pretty much strate forward.. but its ilegal to let all of that refrigerant escape into the ozone layer..

 

so the hose that goes from the ac into the dash i just remove and the one getting air down by the grille just take out and that's it? sounds to easy

 

Yes, but "accidents" do happen.

Whether we all may or may not agree with refrigerant "hurting" the atmosphere I think we can all agree that R12, since it is not being made anymore is a finite supply. That said whereever it is, IT WILL LEAK OUT EVENTUALLY WHEREEVER IT IS STORED. Sooooo, I gotta ask, why not now vs. later???

 

There should be one or two valves, like tire valves, on the compressor. Let the refrigerant out there, or have someone that wants it capture it there (it's expensive so most a/c shops will take it). But make sure you work in a well-ventilated area. R-12 displaces oxygen.

Rich

 

And be sure that you don't get ANY refrigerant in your eyes or a large amount on your skin.

 

Removing the AC is easy, 2 hours tops. If you have a carb its even easier, as us FI guys have to remove the air box and Air pump silencer to get tp one of the hoses that runs along the passenger side. The rest is just bolts and crap. Use a pair of vise grips and remove the bolts out of the engine block to clean it all up. The only problem inside is that if you remove that unit you are left with a large gap where you took it out. You can find a non AC car and get there connecting hose or do what I did! Just go to Home Depot and get one of the those flexable down spouts and trim it to length. Duct tape both ends on and paint it black!!

 

Yeah, after i leaked the refridgerant all over myself and almost passed out, it took about 2 hours to the remove the junk from my 84 gsl 12A. Really it was so simple. And literally a walk in the park compared to the rats nest removal, or last weeks adventure......new cluch installation. But its so worth it when its done, i put everything in a box and picked it up, it was heavy. And we all know the cheapest way to make the rx7 faster is to remove weight!

 

If its in tip top condition, I suggest to think it over. You may regret it like me and many others. Easier to just remove the a/c belt. If ur not a serious about racing, no need to remove it.

 

I plan to leave the A/C in place, and even to repair any part of it, so I can have it fully functional. The extra weight of having it, will be worth every once when the temps climb into 90's & 100's in the next few months.

 

i live in michigan, and its hardly ever real real hot. And when it is, i cruise the FB out to South Haven which is the hottest beach on lake michigan! Oh i cant wait, the rx7 is running so smooth this year.

 

to late