A/C

tpkj · 01-22-2005, 12:09 PM

First, Thanks to Oldsguy for a helpfull response to a new member. Next, I just bought a '76 Cutlass 350 4 Bbl. auto with A/C that doesn't work. I don't care, as I use air 2/60, (both windows open and 60 miles per hour) anyway. My question is, should I just remove it? Is it a major project? I'm no wrench but have 20 years of mechanical electric work behind me, so I know what end of the hammer... But as a novice wrench, at 37, I,m just wondering if while I,m in there replacing the aftermarket open element air cleaner to a stock one (or a duel snorkel, if I can find One?) and doing plugs etc., should I Just do it? By the way, I live in New Jersey, so the laws blah blah. Thanks again. From a novice with a wife that actually under stands!

Oldsguy · 01-24-2005, 11:39 AM

Tom, I did removed the compressor, condensor, evaporator, lines and associated hardware from my Delta. It wasn't too hard. I couldn't find a non-ac air plenum to replace the one on the the firewall made for a/c, but otherwise, the engine compartment is MUCH more mechanic friendly now. Oh, I haven't found a non a/c type control panel either. So the cables and doors still operate as if A/C was there but that is no biggie for me. The main plus was getting the engine compartment un-cluttered and losing some 80 pounds of un-neccessary weight.

I agree with you on getting some cold air into the carburetor. There is a company that makes air filter housings in both dual and single inlet designs in various drops for different applications. The snorkels are standard 4 inch so it is easy to get ductwork to fit. They aren't cheap though ($200 to $300 on average) and they take common filter sizes around 14 inch diameter. I just can't remember who they were right now. I found them on the internet and used to have the location on my "favorites" list but decided they were too rich for me. Lots of guys are fabircating their own from stock material or modifying two stock units to make a dual snorkel one. Never tried that though.

But back to you question about being able to do it. It is hard for me to say how much trouble you might have but it sounds to me that you wouldn't have too much. Just be careful and methodical and try to be able to get it all done at one time (Saturday maybe). I think it too me the better part of a Saturday to do my Delta.

Good luck.

73oldsman · 12-30-2005, 05:28 PM

I would leave the system installed. It is an original option with the car and will only help the car appreciate in value over time. If you take the system out, there will be holes to repair in your firewall, along with the other things Oldsguy mentioned. AC systems aren't cheap to repair unfortunately, but your present system can be repaired and may even be converted to R134, if need be. The local Vo-Tech here has an AC school in my area (a course I took) and if there is one in your area, they may be able to get you back in operation for the cost of parts. We did it all the time. Also, if you decide to get it done at a Vo-Tech, don't wait until the weather gets too hot. That's when the place is packed and harder to get in to. Just my 2 cents....

Oldsguy · 01-03-2006, 09:22 AM

That is a good consideration 73oldsman, about not removing a/c for resale value. But I discovered there isn't much on Cutlass S's, Supremes, Deltas, etc. unless they are a convertible, anyway. Of course the 442s and Hursts have a much higher resale value and it would definitely be wise to keep the car original.

73oldsman · 01-03-2006, 01:59 PM

All I know is, as more and more cars are trashed, flooded, crushed, collected and tucked away, the remaining ones around will be worth more and more. There are cars being collected by all kinds of people and they're not just muscle cars. Heck, now the clones of muscle cars are bringing outrageous prices. That was just my .02 cents and I know it is very costly to install or reinstall an AC system than it is to fix it. Later!

01-22-2005, 12:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
tpkj Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 7	First, Thanks to Oldsguy for a helpfull response to a new member. Next, I just bought a '76 Cutlass 350 4 Bbl. auto with A/C that doesn't work. I don't care, as I use air 2/60, (both windows open and 60 miles per hour) anyway. My question is, should I just remove it? Is it a major project? I'm no wrench but have 20 years of mechanical electric work behind me, so I know what end of the hammer... But as a novice wrench, at 37, I,m just wondering if while I,m in there replacing the aftermarket open element air cleaner to a stock one (or a duel snorkel, if I can find One?) and doing plugs etc., should I Just do it? By the way, I live in New Jersey, so the laws blah blah. Thanks again. From a novice with a wife that actually under stands! __________________ Tom Keane

01-24-2005, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,990	Tom, I did removed the compressor, condensor, evaporator, lines and associated hardware from my Delta. It wasn't too hard. I couldn't find a non-ac air plenum to replace the one on the the firewall made for a/c, but otherwise, the engine compartment is MUCH more mechanic friendly now. Oh, I haven't found a non a/c type control panel either. So the cables and doors still operate as if A/C was there but that is no biggie for me. The main plus was getting the engine compartment un-cluttered and losing some 80 pounds of un-neccessary weight. I agree with you on getting some cold air into the carburetor. There is a company that makes air filter housings in both dual and single inlet designs in various drops for different applications. The snorkels are standard 4 inch so it is easy to get ductwork to fit. They aren't cheap though ($200 to $300 on average) and they take common filter sizes around 14 inch diameter. I just can't remember who they were right now. I found them on the internet and used to have the location on my "favorites" list but decided they were too rich for me. Lots of guys are fabircating their own from stock material or modifying two stock units to make a dual snorkel one. Never tried that though. But back to you question about being able to do it. It is hard for me to say how much trouble you might have but it sounds to me that you wouldn't have too much. Just be careful and methodical and try to be able to get it all done at one time (Saturday maybe). I think it too me the better part of a Saturday to do my Delta. Good luck. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

01-03-2006, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,990	That is a good consideration 73oldsman, about not removing a/c for resale value. But I discovered there isn't much on Cutlass S's, Supremes, Deltas, etc. unless they are a convertible, anyway. Of course the 442s and Hursts have a much higher resale value and it would definitely be wise to keep the car original. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

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12-30-2005, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
73oldsman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 10	I would leave the system installed. It is an original option with the car and will only help the car appreciate in value over time. If you take the system out, there will be holes to repair in your firewall, along with the other things Oldsguy mentioned. AC systems aren't cheap to repair unfortunately, but your present system can be repaired and may even be converted to R134, if need be. The local Vo-Tech here has an AC school in my area (a course I took) and if there is one in your area, they may be able to get you back in operation for the cost of parts. We did it all the time. Also, if you decide to get it done at a Vo-Tech, don't wait until the weather gets too hot. That's when the place is packed and harder to get in to. Just my 2 cents....

01-03-2006, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
73oldsman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 10	All I know is, as more and more cars are trashed, flooded, crushed, collected and tucked away, the remaining ones around will be worth more and more. There are cars being collected by all kinds of people and they're not just muscle cars. Heck, now the clones of muscle cars are bringing outrageous prices. That was just my .02 cents and I know it is very costly to install or reinstall an AC system than it is to fix it. Later!