well boys, despite my best efforts im still alive, and still workin on this blasted rube goldberg machine
yoinked the condenser box, along with the A/C accumulator, what i called a condenser earlier (cant tell my [MENTION=127576]ss[/MENTION]hole from my elbow). Condenser box had three flare nuts in the bay, and another inside, under the glovebox, just yank back the carpet and there it is.
there's another springlock radgebadgey going through the bottom of the condenser box, it's purpose uncertain to me (idiot), but i did'nt have to worry about it cuz its got a rubber line on the forward facing end that terminates in a steel line very near the radiator, so i could swing the condenser box outta the way with out having to worry about that awful rusty turd. Also had to mind the gray vacuum line that runs to the box, had enough slack to swing it.
even though i didnt really have to do it, that enormous plastic retainer popped right off with a violent bit of downward force. also, theres a single electrical connector to the back of the condenser box that can only be accessed from inside the passenger compartment.
and so here she sits:
and here's the carcass of the Demon Plug, the most poorly placed wear item ive seen
and hey, just for fun here's what i found when i took the passenger side wheel off