I know I've read here that some people have removed their A.I.R. pipe without cutting it, so to those who have, how did you do it? I'm aware most people just cut it in two and pull it out, but if at all possible, I'd like to keep it in one piece. Thanks.

 

much much easier to cut and remove in two peices.

i wanted to remove mine in one peice also, but i got to thinking, it would be too much work and why? and how would you get it back in?

why are you removing your AIR system?

jesse

 

Points well taken.

I'm working with a custom fabricator (RFR Fabrication) on designing a set of valve covers for an LT1/LT4 that will accomodate larger RR's and the A.I.R. piping has become an annoyance to me. (Gets in the way during removal and installation of the valve covers.)

 

I believe to remove it you will have to remove the AC compressor since the pipe runs up behind it.

One tab of the pipe is sandwiched betweent the accessory mounting bracket and the block on the lower passenger side of the block, behind the AC compressor. That's why I think you'd have to remove the compressor to get the pipe off in one piece.

The way that pipe twists and turns makes it difficult to try to work out of there anyway... I ended up having to cut mine in four pieces to get it out.

 

I tried really really hard to remove the pipe intact. After about 2 1 hr tries over 2 days I cut it. It almost will come out. Its so close it will Keep you tring. But in the end you will cut it. Save yourself the blood and curse words and just cut it. BTW GM says cut it too and put it back with a hose to hold it together.

 

I just cut mine and it came out in 5min.

 

Where did you guys make the cut at? I have the driver's side part out, but not the passenger's.

Not to steal your post, Kev!

 

I think GM says to cut it in the U bend at the oil pan. When you get under the car you will see why it needs to be cut so it can be snaked out.

 

From what I remembered, you also have to remove a bolt that holds the tube and it is located behind the accessory bracket which also has to be removed. I took mine off intact in case I might have to reinstall it later...

 

That's where I cut mine at, but no go.

 

The passenger side is bolted to the A/C comressor i think. Take that bolt out and teh passenger side of teh tube will wiggle out. Ill look it up here in a bit.

 

Here you have a picture showing some of the routing of the air pipe, you can't actually see the routing under/behind the accessory bracket because it's still there but it gives you an idea at least..

http://user.tninet.se/~xus275f/Bilde...tror_borta.jpg

I tried to get to the bolt that holds the pipe between the acc bracket and the block but I failed, haven't been in the garage since, but as LWillmann said you probably have to remove the compressor and/or the acc bracket...

regards

 

Excellent pic, thanks for posting it.

I removed the bracket (2 10mm bolts holding it in place) then got the bolt out holding the pipe between the bracket and the block, so the A.I.R. pipe is completely detached--so I thought there might possibly be a way to wiggle it out of there. But, judging by that pic you posted, it appears to be quite a tangled mess in there.

 

Well you open the hood on our cars..and...there you go...

Welcome to the tangled mess heaven...

 

I removed the AIR pipe without taking out the Compressor. The Compressor is a whole nother chore by it self and I dont recommed you do it unless you want to leave it out. Dont take the compressor out to remove the AIR pipe just cut the pipe.

If you want to remove your A/C and heat on the other hand this will be a good time to do it if you want to take out the compressor. All that stuff was built to go together but not come apart. Like I say GM says cut it. You know If GM wont attempt to try to get the compressor out its very hard.