Removing Engine from a 1994 / A/C Lines can they stay?

[mechjames]

I'm about to pull my motor, either this weekend or next. I've been doing research through Alldata and my Chiltons manual. According to Chilton, on the 91-93 Explorers, you can remove the A/C compressor and move it out of the way, without disconnecting any lines. Apparently on 94, that isn't possible. The system has to be evacuated then the lines disconnected, then reconnected during assembly and have it recharged.

Has anyone done a motor removal / swap on a 94 and keep the A/C lines in place?

 

[mechjames]

I don't really want to remove all the r134, I recharged it this summer!

 

[Anime]

The issue with the 93-94's (not just 94's) is that the discharge/suction line goes from the compressor to the receiver/drier, and does so above the engine. It is apparently possible to remove the engine while keeping the lines intact, since plenty of people have done it, but you just have to unbolt the compressor, and be careful about where you set it and position the hose, and keep it held out of the way while the engine is hoisted out. It may actually be easier than in a 91-92 since that hose is all there is, and the rest are hard lines and the short hose from the condenser to the evaporator, which are of course both out of the way.

If you have any trouble, it would just be easier to evacuate the system and recharge later. R134a is cheap. I would have suggested holding off on the A/C charging if you were planning on pulling the motor.

While it's out is a good time to do stuff like all the power steering pump gaskets/hoses and the oil pan gasket/oil pump and all that, too.

 

[mechjames]

If my motor isn't damaged, then I was going to put a full gasket set in.

But there are such good deals on 2nd and 3rd gens around here right now. If I have a cracked piston like I think I have, I will probably just end up parting out and upgrade to an SOHC powered truck.

 

[rhauf]

If my motor isn't damaged, then I was going to put a full gasket set in.

But there are such good deals on 2nd and 3rd gens around here right now. If I have a cracked piston like I think I have, I will probably just end up parting out and upgrade to an SOHC powered truck.

You're willing to do all this work, but you'd give up if you had to replace a piston?

personally, if i'm doing as much work as removing and disassembling an engine, i just rebuild it while i'm at it. that way it's fresh and new. besides, the first gens beat the sohc'd second gens and stuff in a bunch of ways

 

[mechjames]

My truck has other issues then a broken piston. It needs the radius arm bushings changed, and they are stock, rivets are still in there. Needs all four ball joints, and also need to rebuild the LSD 3.73 in the rear, and a Dent in the rear drivers door and the rear hatch. I also broke off the mount for the speedo cable in the transfer case, so right now it's redneck fixed with a couple hose clamps holding the cable in, so I have to put my spare transfer case in, and that's all I know about at this point.