So I'm gearing up to try fixing the air conditioning in my 71 Cutlass Supreme. I just took off the A/C box to replace the heater core, and my dad apparently removed part of the A/C from the engine bay. Any help with pictures of what it's supposed to look like, diagrams, tips, I could use it all!

 

When you say you took off the AC box to access the heater core, do you mean you pulled the box from under the dash? I ask because the AC box is attached to the firewall in the engine compartment, so I'm trying to get a feel for what you removed and what parts of the AC system are missing.

Here's a picture I found from an old thread that shows the under hood AC stuff:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...onversion.html

 

Ill post some pics when I get home. I removed the whole box from under the dash and swapped the cores. The heater core was bypassed for a long time because it leaked I believe. The only part of the A/C in the engine bay is the part connected to the firewall, the rest should be in the garage. Fingers crossed.

 

Needless to say, I imagine there's quite a bit of work in store for me.

 

Yes, and if the "pieces" aren't in the garage it will be far worse. If those components were left "open" be very careful regarding crud.

 

Having been an Oldsmobile Mechanic back in those days who did a lot of A/C work, I can tell you that your Expansion and Suction Throttling valves are probably trash and all corroded inside.Your evaporator core is probably also full of corrosion. The core could maybe be cleaned out but the valves probably not. Why did your Dad remove all that stuff? I can't remember if a 1971 had a pressure switch that prevented a compressor from running dry, but a lot of compressors got ruined that way. For sure your Receiver-dryer is contaminated enough to need replacement so you probably have a lot of work on your hands. Check out your compressor and see if it turns smoothly.
Eagle