The 'E' Type Forum

Hi... I am working to remove the remaining elements of a Factory AC in my S2... when I bought the car I was given the components that had been already removed (blower under dash and heat exchanger in front of radiator) the compressor is long gone, the remaining wiring and tubing is still in place. Is it worth:
1) trying to restore the factory AC (my car is a driver not a show car)
2) remove all remaining parts including the wiring when possible
3) trying to sell the components that have been removed... is there a market for these items?

Thx

BB

1) It's not worth trying to restore the factory AC with an original compressor which was relatively inefficient and used R12 refrigerant. Given you've not got the original compressor and would have to source one, you could get the A/C to work with a new R134a compressor mounted at the side of the engine above/below the alternator rather than the original on that long bracket out in front of the engine. You'd need to source an appropriate mounting bracket and custom hoses but you'd end up with working A/C looking original inside. Up to you if it's worth the effort for you or your local A/C shop to do. I'd get the evaporator and the condenser leak tested first before embarking down the new compressor route.

2) Your call, they all remove easily enough, even the extra radiator fan relay is mounted on a plate attached the the plate for the standard relay and unbolts. The wiring loom is separate so easily removable too. Depending on the system you'll have to find a new way to mount the ignition key and you'll need a new radio console (readily available) to fill the gap left when the unit from under the dash was removed.

3) Not here in the UK because the system was LHD specific and there was no RHD equivalent. Folks in the US do still have working factory A/C systems but the most useful part would be the compressor which you say you've not got. If you were trying to fit A/C to a car now aftermarket the only component from the original system you might want to reuse would be the A/C radiator out in front of the engine cooling radiator.

Thanks John for your response... is it possible replace the long bracket that puts the alternator in front of the engine with a bracket that returns it to the left side aft of the engine front? From another post they noted that the alternator will be running the opposite rotation when turned 180 degrees and therefore would need to be either be replaced or reworked in some manner.

BB

Yes it is and saves a lot of weight as well as that bracket out front is very heavy.

The alternator itself can run either way without problem, it's the fan on the front of it behind the pulley you're meant to change so the air flows the correct way through the alternator.

You can get a side mounting bracket easily from suppliers like SNG Barrett as it's the bracket for non-A/C cars.

I've read that the alternator fan you've currently got is worth something as they are NLA and unobtainable.

In my case I took the opportunity to buy a more modern alternator with an inbuilt regulator. Circa. $60 and much more reliable than the original with its remote regulator.

You should also fit an exhaust shield to protect the alternator from the heat of the exhaust manifold it's now next to.

John... there what appear to be two relays... silver boxes 1" by 3" by 2" mounted in front of the engine on the right side... what I believe is the AC wiring harness (the AC Resistor mounted on the heat shield is attached to part of the wires coming out from the under the dash)... do you know what these control? I have not followed the wires yet to see where they go, but I know at least one of them seems to be at the end of the AC harness... want to get rid of if possible. Can send pix if that helps you ID them.

Thx

BB

John... I found an in color electrical diagram and it appears that the two relays are for the fan (#1) and ac (#2)... gonna see if the wires match up on the print tomorrow!

Bob B