Hi guys. My 79 originally had AC, but the previous owner took it off. I purchased some parts and I'm trying to reinstall it now. My question, is I tried just setting the condenser down in front of the radiator today, and it really had no room to go in there with the hood open. I managed to shimmy it down into place, but it still looks like the hood will hit it when trying to fully open. Should it be this close? Like I said I've never had it in there before so I dunno, it just seems like there should be more room.

On my '78 with the hood up it is within about an 1/8 inch of the metal side frames holding the condenser in place. About a 1/2 inch clearance to the fin tubes in the center.
Removing the hood isn't that hard if it would make the job easier. Just need help holding and unbolting.
Jeffm2008-05-18 17:19:23

I just installed a condenser.  I took the hood off.  While it looked like you could work it in there with the hood on, I figured I'd wind up buggering up the fins.  

I installed the one in my '71 with the hood on, I just had a friend hold it closed a little until the gap was wide enough, and slid it in. Once mounted, the hood opens and closes fine, but there is very little room left!

______________

Awesome, thanks for the replies!

That's an easy decision...convert it to 134a while you have it all apart. You probably need to change some o-rings and hoses anyway. Plus you will need to pull a vacuum on the system once it is assembled. I did mine a few years back and have had no problems at all. Kstyer, a fellow member here, answered all of my questions and the procedure was trouble free. Best of luck.

Scott