is there a write up of some nature on the installation of the a/c compressor on a 96 lt1 block?

Im pretty lt1 saavy, but Im kinda intimidated in doing it myself, and everywhere I go, they charge an arm and a leg...

The compressor clutch is locked up, and that has to do with the fact that the block was sitting for close to a year before I did teh 3.4/lt1 swap. Im just thinkin, is there anything that I should look out for when doin this repair? Im in Miami, and have coped this long without a/c...I just cant take it anymore...

 

Its not overly complicated, but it's just tedious. I found it best to remove the Radiator to make it easier to get the compressor out the front.
It had the manifold bolted to the rear, a bracket at the rear, and the front bolts holding it to the accessory bracket.

It would also be a goof idea to replace the other "consumables" (evaporator, expansion valve ,O rings) in the system, also make sure you dry the system out good with a vacuume pump.

When you recharge it make sure you add the specified amount of oil as well.

 

thanks for the response..its time to do some research...

by evaportator, do you mean dryer?
also, expansion valve...is that the bracket on the 2 lines?
and finally the o rings...thats where teh a/c lines meet the firewall?

 

remove the belt and tensioner, then the a/c lines Uses 1 bolt in the rear for both lines. once out of the way I belive it was 3 bolts for the a/c compressor. remember to disconect the clutch wire. the compressor then gets out head first like it is diving. I did it last month. no need to remove radiator

 

I recently replaced the line. I found it easy to use a very long extension along side the block from the rear to get to the bolt that holds the lines on the back of the compressor. Make sure you don't lose the seals under the fitting.

My best friend installs air conditioning systems (custom hotrods, school buses, etc.) for a living and he told me you need to be very careful just replacing the compressor because the crap from inside the compresor frequently contaminates the rest of the components as mentioned above.

It usually makes sense to replace the other parts mentioned. You also need to make sure you measure the amount of oil taken out of the old compressor so you can put the same amount back in the new unit.

Do some research so you don't ruin the new unit.
Jeff