R&R A/C condenser 330 GT

[michaelbalk330]

I have decided to replace my york compressor with a sanden, and install new condenser with real fittings instead of the push on type currently present. supposedly this will help prevent leaks, and give better cooling with newer design condenser.
Here is my dilemna- how is the Condenser removed? My car has A/C but it probably wasn't OEM because there is a well engineered custom bracket, and the controls are in the console instead of the dash vents. Regardless, its a top notch job from the 70s and Sanden will bolt right in.
My condenser seems to be mounted just behind the Grill, is about 20"x14", and has two tabs on the rear that attach to brackets that seem to go into the hood hinge mounts. I think I can remove the 2 small bolts on each side to free it up ( shown in the pics), but how does the condenser come out? from the front- it almost appears if I remove the grill, i could wiggle it out from the front? or do I remove all the horns, etc and the hood and somehow lift it out?
please help... sweating away in Atlanta
Michael

[tyang]

HI Michael,

I know with the stock A/C system, the radiator comes out and condenser is mounted to the front of it. Of course the hood has to come off to remove the radiator. Your set up is definitely not stock. I still think it may be easier to access your condenser from the radiator side.

Good luck.

Tom

[michaelbalk330]

Today I pulled the condenser. when they re-enginered the AC , and moved it to the front, it made is possible to easily remove the condenser just by pulling the grill. check out the pics. after removing 4 small sheet metal screws that held the condenser to the brackets, i just angled the assemble out. there is enough room to get a wider condenser, which my A/C guy says will improve performance, as will the new manifold type that replaces the old serpentine condenser. Next up, pull the compressor, which again, sits in a custom made bracket an appears to be removable without too much hassle. this is just an FYI as it was a nice way to put thing together. There is a sanden to york compressor adapter which allows a new sanden r134 to fit perfectly, so hopefully soon I will have AC.

[dantm]

Hi,

Is there a recommended way to refinish/refurbish these condenser unit parts? The copper gets dull and tarnished, the aluminium fins get bent and oxidized and also some of the galvanized steel that holds everything together gets dull...

Any best practices to learn from?

Thank you,



/Dan

[michaelbalk330]

dan,
not sure about that but my AC guys said the serpentine type ( like mine pictured ) are not as efficient as the new parallel flow condensers, so I am going to replace mine. also, the new ones have real fittings, not the push on type, and are less prone to leaking. Once I get it all done, I will shoot some pics and post

[dantm]

dan,
not sure about that but my AC guys said the serpentine type ( like mine pictured ) are not as efficient as the new parallel flow condensers, so I am going to replace mine. also, the new ones have real fittings, not the push on type, and are less prone to leaking. Once I get it all done, I will shoot some pics and post

That would be great to see what a new design would do. Are you going to try to make it look like the original as much as possible? For my purposes the one (and almost the only) reason I'm looking for refurbishing old components is for originality. I don't plan to charge up the AC in the vehicle once it's put back together but it has to look correct and function if needed in the future.

[michaelbalk330]

330-GT-AC-bracket.jpg (106.94 KiB) Viewed 6287 times

330-GT-AC-bracket-(1).jpg (92.21 KiB) Viewed 6287 times

Dan
since my condenser is already in a non-eom location in front of the fans and horns, I am not concerned about the originality. I am going for performance. the mods made by the owner appear very thought out. I pulled everything - see pic of the custom bracket. when Tom Y saw the bracket, he commented that it was obviously a thought out, engineered piece of craftsmanship. the beauty was I could remove it all without pulling the hood, radiator etc. lets first see if I can put it back together with a new sanden and get cold air out my vents!