AC Removal Help

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Johnny Dart

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Hey Ya'll
Need some help/info on how to completely remove AC system.
Most of this question is in regards to the Freon. I know the system is under pressure, and want to do it safely.
How and where do I start to make the system safe to unbolt ?

Want to get everything out of the way i can start cleaning up the engine bay.
May reinstall, may not.
Thanks guys/gals.

1973 Scamp /6
 
If you're not interested in recycling, I would just break the high pressure line loose at the compressor a few threads and wiggle around a little to break the seal. Please wear safety glasses. Gloves wouldn't hurt either.
 
If you're not interested in recycling, I would just break the high pressure line loose at the compressor a few threads and wiggle around a little to break the seal. Please wear safety glasses. Gloves wouldn't hurt either.

Having said that, that will drain the entire system, making it safe to take apart ?
 
Technically it's supposed to be evacuated by a certified shop. R-12 is nasty stuff. Then you can take it apart. I would not want to breath that stuff!!
 
take it to a shop or have a mobile A/C guy come to the car and evac it. they will "store" it for you, so when you have them do the re-fill, it should save you some $$. also make sure they will be able to add some R12, if that's what you still have, in case you need it topped off
 
Do these systems, if evacuated, take R134 with the adapters on the high/low nipples? (Yes, i did just say hi/lo nipples:thumbsup:
 
Technically it's supposed to be evacuated by a certified shop. R-12 is nasty stuff. !!

No, R12 is not "nasty" unless it is run through a fire, such as brazing/ repairing A/C refrigeration tubing. R12/22/500/502 the old "banned" ozoneish refrigerants, are fairly harmless if you "get a whiff"

"Dustoff" and other pressurized computer "air blower" cans contain R12 many of them, to this day. Which should tell you something about "how serious" the so called ozone thing "is" --n't...............

Chemicals similar to R12 are in various brakeclean/ parts clean/ electromotive clean/ tuner cldeaner. There are many posts about welders using these products to clean up before welding and then getting a nasty whiff of phosgene when firing up the welder

The big danger to humans of such chemicals as R12 is if you "let's say" get a bad leak in a basement, such as a bunch of cooler condensing units in a tiny basement under a 100 year old bar (Old part of Spokane I speak from experience) The unit had been leaking, the owner had added refrigerant, and HAD LEFT THE CAN CONNECTED TO THE MANIFOLD and connected to the unit. My partner and I started down the stairs, me first, and I began to feel "woozy." You don't smell much of anything unusual. Refrigerant is not generally poisonous like CO is. But IT DOES DISPLACE oxygen in the air, and what you breath in then, is not providing you with O2

There are (old) refrigerants that ARE nasty and toxic. Ammonia, methyl chloride, and sulfur dioxide. On ammonia, industrial systems, is still used to day so far's I know
 
I say Rusty: Crack a fitting and walk away for a bit. "Hell I didn't know it was leaking"

If you are gonna re-use the components, seal them up, maybe, double up some plastic grocery bags and tape them over the fittings.

Me? I'd even re-use the receiver dryer---heat it awhile at low setting in the oven, to evaporate the accumulated moisture out of the thing
 
He gone !!!!!
Will box parts up for future, but doubt I'll ever use it.
Thanks all for your help.

IMG_20210724_125213027.jpg


IMG_20210724_125225923.jpg
 
Watch out if using the stock bolts that went through the mounting brackets to the block. Don't know about / 6 but V8 can bust a cylinder wall
 
ME? I'm gonna see if any of it on the 74 Scamp will still work. I admit, just poked at a Schrader today and it's ZERO pressure in there. But who knows, it may 've been sitting that way 20 years..............
 
Having said that, that will drain the entire system, making it safe to take apart ?

Yes sir. Once you get everything out of the high side, then crack the low side to be sure there's none left in it.
 
I say Rusty: Crack a fitting and walk away for a bit. "Hell I didn't know it was leaking"

If you are gonna re-use the components, seal them up, maybe, double up some plastic grocery bags and tape them over the fittings.

Me? I'd even re-use the receiver dryer---heat it awhile at low setting in the oven, to evaporate the accumulated moisture out of the thing

Right. Whose to say it didn't blow a hose or seal?
 
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