DPD air conditioning questions, service ports? dropping engine? Options

[iankarr]

Hi Guys,

My '74 came with the DPD A/C unit and it appears that the PO has already updated the compressor. I'm trying to determine the charge status and the service ports aren't anywhere obvious. Could they be the bolt-looking things on the compressor in the pic below? Are they hiding under the conical cover?

Also...

When dropping the motor, do most people unbolt the compressor from the engine? Or have the system evacuated and unhook the hoses?

Not even sure I'll use the A/C...but it's in great condition, so I figured it might as well work.

Thanks!

[jcd914]

Yes those are the services ports on top of the compressor.

There are caps that screw on over the port to keep the clean and protect the valve inside.

The receiver/drier should have a sight glass on it that you can use to tell if you are low on Freon.

It is normal to unbolt the compressor from the engine to avoid the cost of discharging and recharging the AC.

Unless it has been upgraded to R134A, it will have R12 in it and most states (maybe all) require certified/licenses technicians only service the system and require a recovery system to capture all the old Freon.

Jim