Installing AC Lines

[meissen]

Holy crap what a pain in the arse it is to install the AC lines when the engine is all in!!!!

So far we've had to unbolt the front sway bar to let it hang lower, then we had to undo the belt, remove the idler pulley, drain the radiator, remove the lower radiator hose and the hose that goes from the radiator to the water pump. Then we had to unbolt the AC condenser to be able to get it at an angle that we could bolt the lines to the back of the condenser. Man what a pain!!!!

But, we've ran into a slight issue - does anyone know 100% if they have the bracket labeled #10 in this picture? We don't remember it being on the LT1 when we first got it, and we don't remember there being one on the 3.4L v6 when we unbolted the compressor from that engine either. We're trying to figure out if we really need it. Obviously, we haven't had it there for the few months that it's been running now but we haven't turned the A/C on with it having any freon in it to put the condenser under load, either, it's just been freely spinning without the clutch engaged.

[Kwazrollinz28]

i know i had to do it last month. lots easier without the radiator but still a major pain.

[turnerracing]

When i did my LT1 swap my 3.4 did not have that bracket but the lt1 did have that bracket. I think it would be a good idea to have but my v6 didn't have one and i used my air all the time and nothing went wrong.

[steddy]

I know my 3.8L had that bracket also behind it, presumably to help with the weight of the compressor on the aluminum front bracket. I'll throw a call out tomorrow to see if the shop scrapped everything or just the old motor. If they have it, I'll find a way to get it to you.

[MP81]

If nobody can find a bracket - you probably can make one pretty easily.

[jetice]

are you doing the two lines that run off the back of the compressor, one to radiator and the other to the block on the firewall?

[meissen]

Yup - just hooked it up yesterday.

[jetice]

wow you guys removed a lot of stuff! we did my lines Wednesday and the only thing we did was unbolt the compressor and jockey it around, and of course the sway bar. what was wrong with your lines?

[Boost Addict]

That bracket was broken on my car. I went to order a new one and when i got it it only has 1 bolt holing it to the compressor. I guess the old design was prone to breaking so they redesgined it.

[meissen]

Well - I think the main problem that we were having according to my dad is that we were using my v6 AC compressor and lines. If the AC works when it's all said and done it'll be a miracle - the metal line that goes from the compressor into rubber line and then connects to the A/C radiator is like 3 inches too long and is all wrapped around trying to get it into position... hopefully the semi-kink in it will pop out once it's full of freon.

[MP81]

hopefully the semi-kink in it will pop out once it's full of freon.

That or it'll burst and explode.

Okay - maybe not explode, but it could burst.

[FireBirdGirl02]

Lets just say Angie is very happy to AC in Red alert! lol

[Derek]

Lets just say Angie is very happy to AC in Red alert! lol

haha, you and the puppy must have been croaking cruising around in RA with no AC

[meissen]

Dad went and got the AC charged today by Jay @ Mr. Muffler in Shelby Twp / Utica. $85 for a full 2lb charge, pretty decent price considering Sierra Pontiac in Romeo wanted $65 for a 1lb recharge. Holy shit does the AC blow cold!!! It definitely rivals my 2008 Trailblazer's AC.