Difficulty rate for replacing heat blower w/console A/C

[danjrusdug]

Questions:

Does the console A/C unit need to come out to replace the heat blower unit?

If so, how hard is that to do? Can a DIYer do it?

I've got to replace the one in my '72 Ceylon as I'm going to put it up for sale and focus my attention on the '73tii. I hate to do it, but I just made the last payment for my daughter's college and now have her wedding coming up. I'm also probably going to move and will most likely not have the 4 garage spaces that I have now.

Doug

'72 Ceylon

'73 tii Atlantik

[Mike Self]

with both a Behr unit and a Frigiking. The key is having enough slack in the A/C freon hoses to be able to pull the evaporator/blower unit (with the outer housings removed) forward far enough to weasel the heater box out thru the driver's footwell. You'll most likely have to unclip the hoses from the engine compartment to get the slack. Since these units were all aftermarket installed, the hose slack varies from installation to installation--ya may get lucky; then again, ya may not!

I did a column on this some years ago with a little more detail on how we did it. Drop me an e-mail if you have more questions...

cheers

mike

[Guest Anonymous]

The way that I did the job was to pull the unit but keep the AC connected. As mike said make sure your lines are still flexable. Pull all the usual side pannels. MAKE sure you pull the temp probe out with the center. undo the wires for the hazzard and swing the unit to the pass side footwell next to the Pass seat. Then unbolt and LIFT (pull the drain hose if you can reach it). the lifting and agles are key to keep from braking yoru drain hose. This can be JB welded if it is broken or was RIGED prior to your operation. Slide the unit over to the pass side footwell near the front. drop the box MAKE SURE you check your heater core at this time. The one I just did needed a blower motor and a heater core. The bigest problem is dealing with the old plastic that can brake. Take your time, take digital pics of the wires and have FUN!!!!

Sam

LaValle's Import Restorations

Oak Ridge, NC

[Durango_Dave]

I've gotten the heater box out too without disconnecting the hoses to the AC console. You can wrestle the AC console enough out of the way to do the job. It's not difficult, just tight and kind of a PITA. Better though than having to recharge the AC system.

[c.d.iesel]

.................I'd rather have open heart surgery without novacane

air cond in an 02 indeed.

[danjrusdug]

I'm sooooooooo looking forward to doing this.

Doug

'73 tii Atlantik

'72 Ceylon - needing heat blower replaced while working around console A/C....worse than open heart surgery w/out novacaine per CD ! ! !