Decide For Me: A/C in or A/C out

[ChrisInNashville]

While I have my heater core being replaced...should I have my LCM (local crack mechanic) put the A/C back in or leave it out?

Vote:  In or Out

[channelb]

If you don't use it, leave it ourt.
You can sell it on ebay or this web site.
I never use mine. I just pay to have it charged it up every couple of years becasue it dicharges due to lack of use.
Your car might perform better without it.

[cth350]

if you regularly have a passenger that needs the knee space, go ahead and leave it out. Otherwise, put it back. You don't need to put the belt in if you don't want to cool the car.  Then again, if you want the cash it will bring, by all means pass it on to somebody that wants it. -cth

[J. Huber]

Hey Chris. Mine has no A/C -- never did. I have never really felt like I needed it. Keep in mind, I am in Calif. where it doesn't normally get oppressively warm. I've always felt like the top off gave me enough air -- or maybe once or twice I put soft-top up just to keep the old nose from burning.

Having said that, I think some of it depends on your driving habits. I know one of our faithful was determined to add it because he and the wife take many long trips in the summer. I also suppose that IF you ever sell, having A/C might sway a potential buyer, especially if the car originally had it. How's that for a wishy-washy answer?

James
63 230SL

[Abbas]

Keep the AC in order not to change your car. In case you wish to sell your car later it might bring a better value with an AC even if it does not work. The new owner maybe looking for a car with an AC.

Abbas

280SL W113 1969 Ivory
E280 W124 1995 Silver

[France]

Chris,

A couple of observations: A/C was a dealer option, not a factory installation.  If it was in there when your car was delivered, you probably are better off keeping it, esp. if it is a good-working Frigiking or some such.  I'm sure the purists on this forum will advise on the various models. Ditto if you want to be able to eventually market your car to anyone outside good old CA.  For me the A/C would be a decisive matter in a sale.

On the other hand, if it doesn't work super-well or is clearly a later addition, you don't use it, and you don't intend to sell the car ever, you are safe to remove it and reap the $$.

Hope this helps...

Trice
1968 280SL US, signal red/bl leather, auto, kinder seat
Sarasota FL; Alsace France; Switzerland
You only need 2 tools in life: WD40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop.

[ChrisInNashville]

The decision is:   I'm going to put it back in.

Interesting dilemna:  

It is the "original dealer installed option" (kind of an oxymoron...isn't it?).   Frankly, I think that these units detract aesthetically from the car, but I tend toward being a purist and leaving it intact.

I would not sell the unit if I took it out...but, I have never used it.

Thanks for the feedback

[blairwag]

If you're still accepting feedback, I have a couple of points for you to consider.

1) If you still live in southern Indiana, there are probably few days/times when you'd prefer to use the A/C over taking the top down. I've never felt that A/C in a convertable is much of a good idea - it's for the women out there who don't want their hair to get messed up.

2) The purists out there might disagree, but I've always felt that it's better to make the car more comfirtable than it is to retain it's original state. I had a Frigiking A/C system, and removed it last year. I've also replaced the Becker Europa radio with a JVC head unit. I've replaced the speakers up front, and placed speakers in the back.

Now, all of this is reversable. If I ever decide to sell the car, and I get a buyer who is a 'purist', I still have all the original parts that I can either reinstall myself, or give to the buyer. So, I've lost nothing, and gained a more pleasant car to drive. I still plan on installing retractable seat belts - the last of the big wish list items I have.

3) Removing that monster 'elaphant braket' (to quote Cees) made maintenance and servicability of the engine vastly better and easier. That's the bracket that holds the A/C compressor to the block. And, by removing the A/C and the minor load on the engine from the belt, I believe the engine runs cooler. I could be psychotic, but I believe the engine benefit from getting rid of that thing.

Obviously the decision is yours. I made a similar decision over a year ago, and have never looked back. I am convinced I made the right move, and am happier for it.


--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William Blair Wagner: blairwag@earthlink.net
Education is not always knowing the answer,
...but rather knowing where to look for it!
1971 280SL US Automatic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[BHap]

with the onset of global warming.....

Bob Happe
Pittsburgh, Pa
1970 280SL, white/black 4 speed

[bsimaz]

I don't see an A/C servering a usefull purspose on a convertable.  I keep my top down as much as possible.

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

[ChrisInNashville]

Good feedback.

On a 96 degree day this summer, I drove the 120 miles between my two homes.   I consumed FIVE bottles of water and was still in the initial stages of heat stroke by the end of the two hour drive.

I was shocked!  First, I realized that I wasn't a kid anymore, but more importantly, heat stroke can sneak up...and at 70mph, it could be deadly.

So, I have more summertime driving options by replacing it, I'm a purist, and now I can nurture my feminine side and not mess up my hair[:p] which is getting thined and is easily messed up.

[steven0401]

Several people have pointed out that AC adds weight, and the weight is exactly where you don't want it - at the extreme front of the car.