A/C...stay or go?

[derk]

I have 71 with original air conditioning. (Presume dealer installed but came with the car)

Original owner claims it worked when the car was parked 14 years ago.

During restoration, do I yank it all out? I don't need or want AC or is car more valuable with (non-restored) A/C? I am not going to go with the expense of fixing it.

Thanks for advice. Will cost a couple of pics with questions from this weekend's work in the AM....

Thanks!

[26ounce]

Facing the same question myself. The AC unit looks heavy as hell and I've heard it costs about 5 to 10 hp to run the thing, there are two reasons to remove it.

But I guess it also depends a bit on how much it will cost to get it running again.

Anyone else bothered to fix their AC? How much did it cost?

[carguyinok]

I would say that if you are going for the total stock car. Then keep it and fix it. If you are not going to fix it then pull it and set it aside. If you want real A\C for your Z then spend the money on a newer aftermarket A\C system. I have found most all A\C systems out of the 70s dont hold up or put out the cold air near as good or long as the newer ones. The newer pumps will take far less HP and cool much better in all rpm ranges where with the stock pump you may aswell shut if off when sitting still. And thats when you feel the heat in a Z as we all know.