I am in the process of replacing my passenger side inner fender (and fender for that matter). The AC lines run through the inner. My problem is that I can't get the hoses off of at either end! One end runs into the condenser and the other into a canister. I think they are original hoses - is there anyway to tell? The clamps are the orginal as shown in Hooper's 67-68 Camaro Reference book pg 101. It would be so easy to cut the hoses and get on with life, but they look to be in good shape and I hate to destroy anything orginal. Thanks for any insight.

Tom

Your AC lines run through the inner fender? I guess I'm not to familiar with a 67.

If your going to replace the inner fender, then why not cut the old inner fender up and not the AC lines?

It is alittle time-consuming, but you can unbolt the inner housing from the fender and either drop down the inner to allow room, or pull the fender up away from the inner, for the hose to be routed away from the fender.

Going back together, I'd wrap the foam pipe insulation about the A/C hose and carefully push it towards the engine compartment to have it inside the outer & inner fender joint. I'd be very careful though doing this. This hose and its connections are 35+ years old and the slightest sideways pressure might put a damper on your whole day. If you feel/see this new routing might not work, don't continue.

Good luck....

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. The hoses run through the bottom of the inner, below and to the left of the battery shelf if you are standing at the front of the car. The pass through is a factory installation, there is a rubber lined attachment panel that bolts to the inner to keep the hoses from chaffing on the inner fender. I will duplicate this on the new inner, as soon as I get the hoses off!

Everett, as you mentioned, I am really trying to avoid using too much muscle on this problem. The tag team section confirmed that the hoses are correctly date stamped, so I have original hoses, on an original A/C setup. One thing I havent tried is to apply heat via a hair dryer to see if the hoses will become more pliable. My garage is about 50 degrees, so maybe if I get them a little warmer I can get them off.

Any other ideas?

Tom

Aha, you're talking of the liquid line from the condensor to the evaporator. I don't think any heat will help. Its been this shape for a looong time and if original, probably brittle.

I'm surprised there isn't a removable connection prior to the evap in easy view. I wouldn't believe GM didn't think about replacement later in its life.......I'm sure there's a connection at the condensor. Picture?

Yes, you are correct, I could take the hoses off on the "top" and I have tried.....same story, after 35+ years, they are stuck! I will shoot some pics when I get home from work and post them. Actually, I could sneak home at lunch time and post them after lunch! graemlins/beers.gif

Tom

I shot some pics at lunch today Take a look: http://www.greatlakesdecoy.com/camaro.htm

If you look at the photo labled Inner Passthrough, you will see a hose clamp - this is NOT a dissassembly point. The clamp simply slid down from above.

OK, how do I get the hoses off without destroying them?

Tom

Nice project !! I believe your out of luck b/c the hose connections are barbed and with 35+ years of being clamped, they are going to be hard to pull off.

Like you suggestd earlier, you might be able to heat them and twist ever so slightly and pull off at the same time. I would disconnect at the condensor.

Good luck...... hey, got a couple more qtrs for you to replace.......LOL

Thanks for the advice. I will let you know how it goes.

Tom