Keep the A/C or pull it out?

[gogriz91]

My '73 has a dealer installed A/C setup in it. The hoses look to be in good condition, and the unit itself looks like it's newer than 30+ years old. Trouble is, it's a pain in the arse to work around, it isn't charged, and I'm guessing I'll have to convert it to R134A costing me I don't know how much. If I knew it would work worth a damn if I did get it working then I would suck it up, but I just don't know how well they worked. I'm going to upgrade my alternator in a month or two so that may help offset whtever power drain there is...but is it all worth it?

[Arne]

Is it worth it? Hard to say since we don't know where you live, or how often you'd use it there.

[sblake01]

A/C is always worth it if you're in a climate where it is necessary. I'm a MVAC tech so I have access to freon so the cost isnt that bad for me. I have done a couple of guys 240Z York systems and was able to get them to blow 40 degrees at the vents. Newer systems are a little colder but 40 isn't that bad. The main drawback in the early add on systems wasn't the system itself but the stock 240 blower motor wasn't as powerful as it could have been.

[agemeansnothing]

A/C is kinda hard to come by if it still works I'd keep it in you never know when you might need it!

[sahunt66]

I'm pulling mine out. I wonder if it's worth selling on ebay. It's a dealer installed from 1970.

[sblake01]

I've seen them on eBay. I don't know how well they sell. A Sanden compressor based system with an upgraded blower motor would work much better in a 240 than the original style dealer installed system.

[TomoHawk]

I took mine out since it wasn't working. It weighed about 100 Lbs. altogether.

[agemeansnothing]

If it was a hundred pounds that's probaly good for the car less weight factor.

[sblake01]

Your system (Tomohawk) is a better system than the old York system in the 70-73 cars. Easy to work on though the evaporator is kind of a pain. I'd rather have the extra 100 pounds and vents that cool to 35 degrees as mine does here in Southern California at least during the summer and early fall.

[gogriz91]

Right now I'm living in Georgia so it would be useful during the summer although I've lived here and in Florida before without it. I'll look more closely and see if I can see what type of unit it is.

[madkaw]

Steve ,I'm in the same boat. I'm looking at the york system on my shelf and not sure what to do. I am pretty sure I want a/c in the future but don't want to use that third pulley on my balancer.I had my balancer rebuilt and is being balanced with the crank assembly so I don't want to BOLT a extra weight on it that could come off on a performance minded motor.Is there anyone made the second pulley work for the a/c?What about MSA units, do they use 2nd or 3rd pulley.I'm scratching my memory(my engine been apart for over a year) but the 2nd pulley isn't being used(no smog pump).Are the york assemblies rebuildable?

steve

[sblake01]

The 74-78 systems, both aftermarket and factory, use the second pulley. They also mount low on the left side of the block. I don't know much about the MSA unit but some members here have is so maybe they'll chime in. As far as the York compressors rebuildabilbty (is that a word?), I'm still looking into it.