The 'E' Type Forum

I have a LHD car with non-functioning air con, I've removed the belt from the compressor as it had a noisy pulley.

I believe all of these were aftermarket/dealer fitment and I have no intention in recommissioning it, I love the AC in my modern Jaguar, but I am happy without it in my classic.

Has anyone removed it entirely, I'm happy to lose all of the weight of the enormous compressor but 2 questions...

If I remove the dashboard vents etc, as far as I can gather it's a bolt on unit, I just need to sort out the ignition switch shroud, but it will restore the look of the cockpit, although not a deal breaker it could be left.

I presume somewhere there will be a large hole in the bulkhead to cap off, guessing it will be almost impossible to get at ?

Also on the AC car the alternator is repositioned, but hopefully this is a case of obtaining the correct bracket.....and in the meantime it can stay where it is.

Anyone have any thoughts ?

I did it. Good luck... :)

You can of course remove the big consol with all the vents, that is just under the dashboard. It's easy to do when the radio consol is out of the way.

You will have to find a new radio console. Also, the center console is shorter on cars fitted with AC, which means even if you change the radio console, you'll have to make the center console longer (of find a new one and retrim).

You'll then have to find a way to put the ignition somewhere on the dashboard. I bought a bracket from XK Unlimited... but don't do the same, it's a piece of crap that just doesn't work. Angus said that you can buy a bracket from a V12 and adapt it to your car.

As per the alternator, yes you must find a new bracket and move it next to the front exhaust. But by doing so, the alternator fan will blow the wrong way: you have to change it.

don't throw away the removed parts, I might be interested by some of them !
I'm doing the reverse, trying to recomission the original AirCon (US 2+2 car)

I removed part of mine: the compressor which was not operative, all hoses, condenser (I installed an lightweight alloy radiator with 16" diam. pusher fan in front: much less overall weight on the front suspension without the condensor) , but retained the evaporator cassette for future owner revert back to original, plus the fact that I did not want to replace the radio console. Simple matter to change back in future. BTW: I prefer NOT to change the alternator position since I believe that it has better cooling in the current location.