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Dino Restoration Decision

Discussion in '206/246' started by racerboy9, Aug 23, 2011.

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  1. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
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    #1 racerboy9, Aug 23, 2011
    I am progressing on my '74 GTS restoration and I'm at the point of putting the AC compressor, condenser and hoses back in the car. I am thinking of leaving them off the car and putting them in a box. If I ever decide to sell the car I could install them. For me the Dino is a fair weather car. If it is hot enough to run the AC I don't want to be driving it. Prior to starting restoration I only turned it on to see if it worked. With the targa off the cold air runs up the windshield and over your head. Not much reason to install it and gas it up unless I plan to use it. I suppose I could install everything, leave the belts off and not gas it up. Anyone struggled with this decision?
     
  2. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 dm_n_stuff, Aug 23, 2011
    I wouldn't even give it a second thought.

    Except my first thought would be, install it.

    Leave it turned off if you must. It's not like you're stealing horsepower with it off, well ok a couple maybe, and putting it back on later will be a pain in the rear end.

    If saving weight is the issue, then that's probably not truly important either, after all, you're not running the car at the track or drag racing it, right?

    I'd put it on.

    D
     
  3. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

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    #3 cmt6891, Aug 23, 2011
    +1 Put in on
     
  4. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 UroTrash, Aug 23, 2011
    One consideration is that when you get your valves set, they have to take all that crap off, adding $$$$ to the cost of a valve set.

    Ask me how I know.
     
  5. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 TheMayor, Aug 23, 2011
    One of my customers asked me to remove the AC completely from his Dino spider. He kept blowing the alternator when using it and felt it didn't do a good enough job to be worth having it.

    I didn't want to but the customer is always right. I gave him all the parts in a box and told him not to lose it.

    So, I can see it either way. Let's face it, the AC not very effective.
     
  6. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
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    #6 racerboy9, Aug 23, 2011
    Thanks for the input. I will install it and just leave the belts off. I will add my precious R12 when I think I want it operational.
     
  7. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    #7 swift53, Aug 24, 2011
    Don't compressors, like anything else, perish if not used?

    Regards, Alberto
     
  8. 2GT

    2GT Formula 3

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    #8 2GT, Aug 24, 2011
    Granted, factory Dino A/C is a bit of an oxymoron, but as long as you've got it on your Dino, get it functioning properly, and run it for five minutes or so every time you drive the car. You will ensure that the compressor is functioning, and the refrigerant will lubricate the seals in the system. The only thing worse than working Dino A/C is non-working Dino A/C! At least by doing this, you will have some justification for carrying around the added weight of the system. Fred
     
  9. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
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    #9 racerboy9, Aug 24, 2011
    OK, I'm going for the 100% fully functioning AC on my car. I'll bring along a sweater just in case it works too well.
     
  10. 2GT

    2GT Formula 3

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    #10 2GT, Aug 24, 2011
    Wishful thinking! Fred
     
  11. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 dm_n_stuff, Aug 24, 2011
    Geez, how do you know??? :D
     
  12. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 dm_n_stuff, Aug 24, 2011
    there are a couple of gaskets that are NLA for the system.

    I had some made when we rebuilt mine. I may have a couple left in the toolbox.

    PM me your mailing address, and if I can find 'em I'll shoot you a set, no charge.

    Dave
     
  13. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
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    #13 racerboy9, Aug 24, 2011
    You already sent me those gaskets a long time ago. Thanks again!
     
  14. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 dm_n_stuff, Aug 25, 2011
    how long have you been working on this project???

    That had to be 6 or 7 years ago.

    D
     
  15. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 UroTrash, Aug 25, 2011
    SmartyPants.
     
  16. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 dm_n_stuff, Aug 25, 2011
    Hey,

    That's the nickname my wife uses for me.

    How do YOU know that?

    Wait a minute...

    Have you and Alison been cahooting? :eek:

    Don't let me catch you north of the Mason-Dixon line. :D

    D
     
  17. racerboy9

    racerboy9 F1 Rookie
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    #17 racerboy9, Aug 25, 2011
    Yes, it has been many years. Too many projects! Old house restoration, other cars, business. Would like to get it done before they throw me in the old folks home.
     
  18. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    #18 swift53, Aug 25, 2011
    They can always take you for a ride...
     
  19. champtc

    champtc Formula Junior

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    #19 champtc, Aug 25, 2011
    Well, not to further cloud your decision to install/not install the AC. I too have 74 USA 246 gts and I pulled my AC a few years ago. It takes up a ton of room and makes any alternator/water pump/water pipe repair a real pain. I would never drive the car without the targa top off & windows down so the AC was never something i used. It is all sitting in a box and if I do ever sell the car I will reinstall it and possibly upgrade to the better unit that has been written about here. John Corbani wrote about a simple aluminum bracket that you could make to hang the oil cooler unit on the car and be finished with the AC components and easily re-install them later. I made one- it works great & wasn't hard. Just my two cents..
     

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