Hi, I am again working on my 1991 Crown Vic. This time I am trying to repair the air conditioner. I haven't had it in the car for over a year but now that I am off thought I would check into getting it fixed. I went to 3 repair shops and got 3 different quotes: Repair shop 1 (my mechanic): $2000 Repair shop 2 (Ford certified repair center): $2800 Repair shop 3 (uknown place): $2422 Why so high??? First of all, it needs a new air compressor which is about $500, then freon which is about $200, then every hose associated with the air condtion which I am not sure how much or anything like that, or what the hoses are. I have done some investigating and on jcwhitney.com found an air compressor for $199... how do I know that it will work in my car or do all air compressors fit all cars, because it didn't say Secondly, what are the hoses associated with the air condition, nobody would really tell me and I have no clue. How many, or what are they? Any help is appreciated!!!! Thanks, MJ

Recharged the vehicle with A/C and it works just fine; tested it on our way from Sacramento to Dixon, CA.  Patience is a

I respect your seniority but you are not too keen on paying attention to detail. I informed you that the vehicle is due this month for a transmission filter and oil change. In addition I had previously informed you that my wife and I have not used the vehicles A/C for sometime since we  have another Aerostar. That when in last use we had ventured from CA to AZ to OH and CA.    You are giving the perception that you took the time to analyze the vehicle but you were more concerned about being here.   Let it go, you didn't buy the vehicle and leave it at that. I do not support those of your mentality; which is out dated and hopefully will one day be forgotten.  

it is easy to remove some of it. There is a bracket you need to buy to replace your AC compressor with a pulley, because the 289/302 uses a reverse rotation. This also effects you when you go to buy a flex-fan. Tell them that it is REVERSE ROTATION, and no matter what they tell you on the contrary, they are wrong. I went around in circles with the parts dealer, pep-boys I think , because the computer didn't say it was supposed to be reverse rotation. Anyway, to continue about the AC, the rest of the AC is under the dashboard with the heater core. The ENTIRE dashboard must be removed to get to the main part, the condenser I think it is called, and is VERY expensive. If you are in a cold climate and want to remove the condenser I STRONGLY suggest that you replace the heater core at the same time. I had mine priced at several garages, and the labor alone was around $400 just to replace the heater core, and that didn't include re-pressurizing the AC(Ford had a brainstorm and placed the heater core UNDER the condensor, so when you change the heater core you must vent all the freon and remove the condensor). So I suggest that you remove the compressor, add the bracket in it's place, remove the hoses and forget about the condensor until your heater core pukes. You should buy 2 of the brackets, as well, because it is the same bracket for when you decide to remove the Power Steering(which takes about 20-25 hp from the car!). By using the brackets, you keep the same belt. I think you could prob. look on the front of your engine bay at the belt routing diagram, and buy the belt for cars that do not have AC and then route it according to the diagram. But to remove the power steering you NEED the bracket, as far as I know. Hope my long-winded message helps!

Do you know where I can get this bracket, how much is it, etc? Thanks for the Flex Fan info, I was actually planning on getting one tomorrow. Now I think I'll hold off until I remove the A/C.<br><br>Thanks again,<br>Chris

Removing the AC will not effect your flex fan situation. You can buy the kit from Summit Racing. It is made by March, and is part #MCH-1460. Cost is $41.95. It is a little different than the other one I saw, and will work for eliminating the power steering. The March kit looks just like the belt tensioner does. Flex fans are around $40, and the spacer you need is about $12.