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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:56 am Post subject: AC Disassembly for engine swap.
I am about ready to preform a engine swap.
My car has AC. How can I remove the system with out damaging anything.
Freon discharge?
Parts removal - Should I seal the open ends of Hoses, Tubes and other parts?
Necoa #: 6381
Location: 7(AL,GA,TN)
Joined: Nov 02, 2005
Posts: 1031
Year: 1986
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:26 am Post subject:
I had a shop capture the freon for me, and when I removed the engine, I unbolted the lines from the condenser, compressor and drier and plugged them with paper towels. the only thing you need to be extra careful with is the drier. be sure to tape up the holes, or somehow make them airtight because if you don't the dessicant bag inside will begin absorbing water from the atmosphere. _________________
Formerly 86Conquista
Currently undergoing resto.
Planned:
-350/?/3.42
-ZQ8 wheels
-Disc Brakes
-More
I recall reading a previous thread saying anytime you open the A/C system you should replace the accumulator/dryer, (maybe it was acauth1). I'm not saying it's absolutely necessary. New ones cost $35.00 up. This might be a good time to convert to R-134a if you have not already done so. Doug _________________ 85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO
Bkirby, House AC guys usually only deal with R22. If you got one to come out he would probably just let it escape to atmosphere. If he used his re-claimer it would contaminate it so they won't go there. A long way of saying - YES you need to take it to an auto shop. HTH _________________ 84 Elky with 455 Buick, Tremec TKO600 5 speed, 8.5 3:42 posi -
My Members Page Album
Another 3 to 9 years should finish it.
Last edited by 464elky on Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:58 am; edited 1 time in total
Necoa #: 6708
Location: 17(S.CA,S.NV)
Joined: Jan 10, 2006
Posts: 284
Year: 1987
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject:
Is there a reason you can't simply remove the AC compressor from the engine and set it aside with the lines intact? Every engine swap I have performed, I have done this. It'll save you some money of having to evacuate and refill the system.
Necoa #: 603
Location: 12(MO,OK,KS)
Joined: Feb 06, 2003
Posts: 208
Year: 1982
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:
K5Cruiser wrote:
Is there a reason you can't simply remove the AC compressor from the engine and set it aside with the lines intact? Every engine swap I have performed, I have done this. It'll save you some money of having to evacuate and refill the system.
Thats what worked fine for me when I swapped engines. _________________ Bobby
56 Chevy 2-door sedan
82 El Camino Conquista
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 3:04 am Post subject: Hello All
I just did my swap out of my 305 to a 350. The 350 did not have air. All I did was losen the line slowly and the R134 just went by by. To tell you the truth I didn't even hear a hiss or anything when I did mine. I had alot of problems finding an A./C bracket for my 85 El Camino. The reason for that was I put a 1971 350 Chevy Impala in. Don't forget the harmonic balancer must be changed if you are going to a different size engine. Also exhast manifolds think about. I don't know what you are swapping to and from so it's hard to tell you what you might run into. I am still running into poo poo. I have an 85 like I said and I took all the smog out for the 71 engine. Now I am finding out I might need to figure a way to get my A/C doors to open and close. It has been a rough road and I am still not done.
One thing I would have def. done was kept my q-jet. I have a edelcrap manifold and crb on my 350 and it's been nothing but trouble for me. Others say they love them. I guess to each his own....GOOD LUCK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE YOU DO IT. HAVE A PLAN
Necoa #: 9947
Location: 2(CT,MA,ME,NH,RI,VT)
Joined: Aug 09, 2007
Posts: 28
Year: 1978
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: Re: Hello All
KACHINA321 wrote:
I just did my swap out of my 305 to a 350. The 350 did not have air. All I did was losen the line slowly and the R134 just went by by. To tell you the truth I didn't even hear a hiss or anything when I did mine. I had alot of problems finding an A./C bracket for my 85 El Camino. The reason for that was I put a 1971 350 Chevy Impala in. Don't forget the harmonic balancer must be changed if you are going to a different size engine. Also exhast manifolds think about. I don't know what you are swapping to and from so it's hard to tell you what you might run into. I am still running into poo poo. I have an 85 like I said and I took all the smog out for the 71 engine. Now I am finding out I might need to figure a way to get my A/C doors to open and close. It has been a rough road and I am still not done.
One thing I would have def. done was kept my q-jet. I have a edelcrap manifold and crb on my 350 and it's been nothing but trouble for me. Others say they love them. I guess to each his own....GOOD LUCK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE YOU DO IT. HAVE A PLAN
I'm sure this is a big fine. i know its like $15,000 if you store r134a or r22 in a propane tank. now releasing it into the atmosphere, hmmmm...
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1169
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:50 am Post subject:
K5Cruiser wrote:
Is there a reason you can't simply remove the AC compressor from the engine and set it aside with the lines intact? Every engine swap I have performed, I have done this. It'll save you some money of having to evacuate and refill the system.
I know this is an old thread but since somebody actually posted recently..
Yes and no. It has a lot do do with how the AC lines are run. In my case I had both lines running across the intake manifold and the lines to the condenser in the way.
I've posted about changing the dryer before in another thread awhile back. Anytime you expose the system to the atmosphere it needs to be evacuated before recharging it again. The dryer canister is probably the cheapest part of the repair operation and trying to reuse it, espcecially if a compressor failed, is a false economy. THe dryer is actually meant to be a disposable part.
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
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