How to keep AC when pulling heads?

[Tooky]

What do all you guys do out there when you have to change head gaskets or pull the motor etc., but you intend on keeping A/C and your A/C is fully functional?

It seems like there's no way to avoid discharging the R-12 Freon since the compressor and condensor usually have to get disconnected, especially if you do a cam change.

Is there anyone out there who has changed head gaskets and kept their AC? There has to be.

 

[denny]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

The compressor is easy , I think there are 4 bolts holding it on to the bracket, take out the four bolts . Don't loosen the line, just flip it over to where the battery is.

I am not sure about the condensor, there might enought room with the radiator off.

 

[tbauer03]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

yeah just unbolt the compessor and lay it aside i took my whole engine out a couple times doing it that way.

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

well my advice would be to switch to R134a as R12 is ridiculoulsly(sp?) expensive, to recharge. get the retrofit kit.

or.......

got to a local repair shop that you know/trust and have them evacuate you freon. then when you need to recharge have them do it. but make sure they won't charge you for the R-12 you gave them.

 

[KETCH-UP]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

I was able to change my engine without loosing the R-12, the hoses will take it. This was 4 years ago, and still no leaks! I switched to R-134 on another TY and I am not satisfied with the AC. It is about 30% weaker.

 

[nallj92]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

just vent it and get it recharged with 134

 

[supersports10]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

The compressor is easy , I think there are 4 bolts holding it on to the bracket, take out the four bolts . Don't loosen the line, just flip it over to where the battery is.

I am not sure about the condensor, there might enought room with the radiator off.

yep done this about 5-6 times on diffferent trucks, including the sy, works great.

SS

 

[SY756]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

What do all you guys do out there when you have to change head gaskets or pull the motor etc., but you intend on keeping A/C and your A/C is fully functional?

It seems like there's no way to avoid discharging the R-12 Freon since the compressor and condensor usually have to get disconnected, especially if you do a cam change.

Is there anyone out there who has changed head gaskets and kept their AC? There has to be.

Like said above. Just remove the compressor and flip it over to where your battery was. Yeah, I saw the pics of your engine bay. Nice and clean BTW. I pulled the engine in mine doing this. Oh, and on your ? of the placement of the MSD, I would put it inside of one the fenders.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

i've always just unbolted the bracket from the engine and layed it over, i think that's easier than unbolting the compressor. a tip for the manifolds is either heat them in the over for a bit until good and hot or you can buy a manifold stretcher and use a prybar on the the 2-4 and 3-6 spots

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

a tip for the manifolds is either heat them in the over for a bit until good and hot or you can buy a manifold stretcher and use a prybar on the the 2-4 and 3-6 spots

The exhaust manifolds don't instanteously shrink (ie weekend or week). If you worried about them shrinking, bolt them to a set of heads when you remove them.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

the ones i swapped out on a n/a 4.3 had problems going back on and they weren't off very long

 

[Tooky]

Re: How to keep AC when pulling heads?

Wow, this is some great information you guys have shared. Vault material??

Thanks again.