'77 T/A to '81 TurboT/A = A/C swap possible?!?
 

One of the previous owners of my '81 Turbo Trans Am (now a Pontiac 400) had thrown out all the A/C components probably when he swapped in the '76 400 engine.
All that remains is the fiberglass A/C housing and the hard lines that come out of it....heater and blower motor are still in place and are functional.

I have a lead on a '77 Firebird with a 400 being parted that has all it's A/C componenents still in place.

Could I swap all the A/C stuff from that '77 car onto my '81 ?!?

I've been looking at many photo's here on the forum, especially of those showing Firebirds with the A/C lines and compressor removed.
Seems like the lines that come out of the fiberglass A/C housing have different bends on earlier ('77-78) Birds compared to later TurboT/A's.


Can I make this swap work?

Do I need different A/C lines, other parts or what?

Thanks!!!

The 77 400 & the 80 301 T A/C systems were similar but different.

The Turbo motors used the shorter 80's style compressor & the 77 used the traditional longer 60's & 70's style.

If you can get EVERYTHING outboard of the evap housing from the 77,you SHOULD be able to make a functional system for your 81 with 400 eng.

You MAY need to change out your evaporator due to fitting/line differences,so make sure you get EVERYTHING A/C related off the 77 parts car,including condensor.

Have FUN!

Suppose I have a shop make me new a/c lines to to fit the '81 evaporator core, would that cover the entire problem?!?

I don't want to take the whole a/c heater box out of the car...

erik

Should be an easy swap. The turbo cars had the accumulator up by the charcoal cannister/radiator but the evap to me looks like the earlier accumulators should bolt on,all that looks identical so no that part won't need any change. Some of the early cars used a different thermostatic trigger for the clutch fan to cycle, later ones used a pressure valve on the accumulator. The 77 used the big A6 compressor vs the later smaller radial compressor.Vintage Air ewven has a bracket to use the newer Sanden compressor.