What to do with cut AC

[plowro8]

I am getting ready to drop a new engine into my 72 and the AC has been chopped. At this point, I don't have intentions of ever having the AC fixed, but I cant fully rule out the possibility in the future. What should I do with this situation to clean it up, in case I should ever decide to work on the AC? Or, does it just make sense to eliminate all the parts associated with it and take the possibility out of play?

[Redneck Rydes]

If it was Me, I would get rid of it all,and if down the road you want air,go with one of the aftermarket ones, cleans up under the hood,better compresser,and just a better system overall,just if it was mine.

[FRCvette]

I would do the same as Redneck says. If it is not going to be operational no need to have it there.

[AussieinNC]

Ditto with RedNeck...get rid of the clutter...

You will need a different belt for fan alt etc...

[plowro8]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Ditto with RedNeck...get rid of the clutter...

You will need a different belt for fan alt etc...

Why a different belt? I don't see where anything related to the AC is tied into the belts and pulleys... but then again, I don't know much about anything under the hood.

[AussieinNC]

So there is currently on drive belt on the AC compressor?

Difficult to tell from that pic...

The belt that drives the water pump, alternator must be in place...

[thelonerife]

I would get rid of all the stock stuff. I spent good money on trying to save the original ac just to be disappointed with failing compressors. I went with vintage air on a couple trucks and it was the best decision ever.

[weq92f]

A/C is good in winter also for bringing the moisture out of the cab... also on rainy days/nights!

That said. I agree with the others on the aftermarket, especially if the stock stuff is already worn down or broken.

Hth,

-klb

[plowro8]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

So there is currently on drive belt on the AC compressor?

Difficult to tell from that pic...

The belt that drives the water pump, alternator must be in place...

There's only two belts... One for the alternator and water pump and one going to power steering.

[stormtown]

Originally Posted by plowro8

I am getting ready to drop a new engine into my 72 and the AC has been chopped. At this point, I don't have intentions of ever having the AC fixed, but I cant fully rule out the possibility in the future. What should I do with this situation to clean it up, in case I should ever decide to work on the AC? Or, does it just make sense to eliminate all the parts associated with it and take the possibility out of play?

When you get AC delete plate and bolted on, PM me, I may buy your AC box. Mine has a crack in it.
Thanks

[plowro8]

Originally Posted by stormtown

When you get AC delete plate and bolted on, PM me, I may buy your AC box. Mine has a crack in it.
Thanks

Do you happen to have a link to the AC delete plate I will need, and will it still allow for the heater and defrost to work?

[clay68c10]

Pull off the manifold hose set, cap the lines, and just leave it be. If the heat/def and ventilation are working then call it good for now.
If you pull that evaporator case off and get rid of it, you won't be able to buy it again for the same money you sold it for.
Those replacement systems are slick, but not cheap.
You can refurbish the whole system piece by piece over time and not spend a lot of money if you enjoy the tinkering. They do work well. If you are hiring it out, then not so much.

[Andy4639]

Personally I would keep it as it is until money is there to fix it all back and in the end make the truck worth more value.
These can be modified to run great with 134a. Just a little work and it will blow cold.

[MARKDTN]

I too would fix it. It appears to be mostly there.

The fan is outside so you would need a way to keep it if you want heat.

[plowro8]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

I too would fix it. It appears to be mostly there.

The fan is outside so you would need a way to keep it if you want heat.

What exactly do I need to keep if I want heat? Which fan are you referring to?

[stormtown]

He's referring to the heater blower fan. As you're at the front of the truck it is on the L side of the evap core housing. Closest to fender

[plowro8]

Originally Posted by stormtown

He's referring to the heater blower fan. As you're at the front of the truck it is on the L side of the evap core housing. Closest to fender

So could I just leave the big AC box in place and remove all the AC lines that connect to it and clutter up the space under the hood, then still have heat? Sounds like a bunch of work to remove the AC and keep the heat, based on what I've read.

[stormtown]

It is more work for just heat, but everyone is saying keep the original stuff and get AC working over time if you want

[stormtown]

Andy4639 has a newer sanden compressor and receiver from 74 on up style AC but he kept the original evaporator and box is what he's showing

[stormtown]

you can check with faabenny on the site but he would probably tell you to leave lines connected and take elec feed off compressor until you decide what to do. I know when I was talking with him about mine he wanted to know if the lines were still connected, better chance of less corrosion and valves all still working.

[Andy4639]

I would leave it all in place and just take the wire loose on the clutch switch on the inside of the floor vent which is what kicks the compressor on. This way everything looks like it suppose to and once you decide to fix it you know where everything is.

You have to have power to the fan switch & controller in the dash for the heater to work anyway. The heater hoses connected to the water pump on the motor to the heater core.

[F.A.A.benny]

Originally Posted by plowro8

I am getting ready to drop a new engine into my 72 and the AC has been chopped. At this point, I don't have intentions of ever having the AC fixed, but I cant fully rule out the possibility in the future. What should I do with this situation to clean it up, in case I should ever decide to work on the AC? Or, does it just make sense to eliminate all the parts associated with it and take the possibility out of play?

From your picture, looks like the condenser and compressor are missing. Doesn't look like anything else is missing. You can remove The a.c. hoses and just cap off the poa valve and expansion valve. The Orange hoses are for your heater. You don't want to remove the a.c. box if you want to keep the heater. If you remove the ac box to add a block off plate, the blower motor goes with the a.c. box and no more heater.

[plowro8]

Originally Posted by F.A.A.benny

From your picture, looks like the condenser and compressor are missing. Doesn't look like anything else is missing. You can remove The a.c. hoses and just cap off the poa valve and expansion valve. The Orange hoses are for your heater. You don't want to remove the a.c. box if you want to keep the heater. If you remove the ac box to add a block off plate, the blower motor goes with the a.c. box and no more heater.

Okay, that's what I needed to know. Thanks