Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

Decided to do the a/c delete and made a step by step of how I did it.
I am starting with the engine out of the car.














It has been a long day, so I will go back at in the morning.

For Sale
https://ls1tech.com/forums/northwest...l#post10940932
https://ls1tech.com/forums/northwest...02-camaro.html

transamsam98

iTrader: (56)

Sorry for jumping into your very helpful post but I had a question. are you going to use fiberglass or sheetmetal to cover the hole?

Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

I will be making a sheetmetal cover plate.
That will be todays project.

BMR Tech2

iTrader: (5)

I can save you alot of time. We offer an a/c delete panel that is a bolt on.

358chevycamaro

iTrader: (10)

I believe he is wanting to still retain his heater. I will be removing the heater box soon but I am still contemplating how I am going to do it because I want to still have heat...

Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

Cover is done.
I have to get an angle drill so can finish installing the screws and some sealer to go around the outer edge of the cover. Also to put the rivets to keep them from leaking.

Nabdrill

iTrader: (19)

Very nice!

358chevycamaro

iTrader: (10)

Would you care to weigh exactly how much you took out??

2 SSlow

iTrader: (26)

Wow. Very nice work. I can honestly say it looks much better than I though it would.

C_Rules

iTrader: (7)

looks like someone is on their way to a sticky nomination.
you get my vote.

Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

I have not weighed the A/C, but from what I have read on the site, it is a 51lb weight reduction.

If I can locate a scale, I will weigh the parts.

This might help:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-raci...tion-list.html

21.5!AC compressor
8.5.!AC condenser


For sale https://ls1tech.com/forums/northwest...02-camaro.html

dschmittie1

iTrader: (64)

very nice. I am debating doing the same to my car

Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

I made my forming strips 1" wide because the masking tape made it fast and simple to lay out for cutting out the sheetmetal. Put your bend line on the forming stirps at a 1/2". Make up several long strips and cut them to length as needed. One thing that helped was: If you are drilling from the inside of the box out for the rivet hole, predrill the holes in the forming strip so you can use them for a jig for drilling the rivet hole thu the plastic. Note: When installing a rivet from the inside of the box going out thru the pastic, be sure to put a washer on the rivet before setting it or the plastic may crack.


Next; go to your hammer and vice press brake and perform your bends as needed. Using a plastic hammer, bend the forming strip as needed. I used 22ga galv sheet metal so you don't have to hit the material with alot of impact to make it move. When positioning the forming strips in the vise for bending, don't hide the bend line in the vise jaw.
The material grows as it bent. Practice forming several pieces, so you know where to locate the line in reference to the vice jaws to make them come out uniform. Form the material to 90 degrees or as needed. Be gentle


This is what it looks like once you have fitted forming strips. Be patient.


Note:Pop riveted exta material in the corners for strength and to give more material in those areas to locate for the screws that will hold on the cover plate I did this at all corners.This also give 2 metal thicknesses for the cover plate scews to go thru.


If you have not already, cut out your cover plate. On your cover plate, if you have a good side you want to show, make sure you cut it out in the orientation so it faces out when bolted into place. Put masking tape around the edge and trace your patern and cut out


Measure in 1/4" so you have a reference for lining up and locating your cover plate holes.

Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

Position the coverplate and mark with a maker/ pencil where you want your holes to be. Then take it to the bench, center punch the points and drill with the 1/8" drill bit.


Using the cover plate as a templte, position it back onto the car, hold it in place, using the 1/8" bit, drill 2 or 3 holes thru the forming stips.
Remove the cover plate and drill the 2 or 3 holes you just used as a template in the cover plate to 3/16'. Reinstall the cover plate using the self tapping srews thru the holes you drilled to 3/16", attach the cover to the car. Put the 1/8" bit back in the drill and drill the rest of the holes into the forming strips.
Remove the cover plate and drill the rest of the holes too 3/16". Reinstall the cover plate and insert the rest of the self tapping screws.


Remove the cover plate and seam seal.


Paint the cover plate and let dry.


Once cover plate is dry, put a bead of seam sealer on the back of the cover plate and position on the car and secure with the self tapping screws. Next, put a bead of seam sealer around the outer edge. The cover should be free of leaks.


I purchased an angle drill part way thru this project and made drilling alot easier because of the tight area.

We are done.

mean_greenz28

Looks good! i just have one question though, i thought i heard someone say that you had to cut a little material out between the blower motor and the heater core to still get it to blow heat. Is this correct?

nemss1

his way u wouldnt have to cut out that section since his isnt flush with the firewall using a plate. his way sticks out into the firewall i tad more and air has enough room to flow around the section that those using the 'blockoff plates' have to cut

Heyfred

iTrader: (10)

1" from the firewall.

z28rob18

iTrader: (7)

ok this is an awesome write up. but i have a question that may be retarded. taking the a/c out and all the lines that go into the car do you loose use of the heater? sorry if i should be punched in the face for that but id lik to know. my a/c is broke so its comin out but it gets cold here so i need heat

RENE'S RAGE

iTrader: (96)

No. With this Mod you still keep your heat and defrost. This is a hard Mod to do with engine still in car. Hard to get to alot of spots.

dschmittie1

iTrader: (64)

I plan on doing this to mine just with the heater box out of the car since I need to yank it for my 10point install