I guess you know you have to have something in the dash or you will not have a defroster. You can rip out the compressor and ac hoses but you need the heater assembly and the dash vacuum to direct air to the windshield.

I think it would be best if I did not remove the dash air. It is not causing any problems. We thought with everything out of the way(i've removed all the carpet because i'm replacing it)it would be a great time to do it. I haven't measured fluid temperature so I have no idea about how hot things get.

Thanks for all your input.
Tere

quote:

Originally posted by Jim and Tere:
I think it would be best if I did not remove the dash air.

My only reason for removing dash air was to prevent overheating. However, my situation is more extreme than most. The 502 is a Siamese block, which is prone to overheating, and the 502 puts great stress on the torque converter, which becomes heat. Add to that a 2 1/2 ton 4WD or boat behind in CA and AZ summer heat, and I end up very concerned re overheating.

quote:

I haven't measured fluid temperature so I have no idea about how hot things get.

I would recommend a trans temp gauge for all MH oowners. It will either give you warning of the need for a cooler or it will give you peace of mind. Either can be valuable.

"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!"

Leave it alone.

Rusty,
That phrase has saved me a lot of hassle since I heard you say it a year or so ago. I'm passing it on to whoever will listen.
Thanks,
Tere

I give a resounding second to El Segundo Bill on the matter of trans. temp gauges.

Years ago I had a FWD GMC. One Spring, on the way home from our winter home in Indio, we were heading West over Pacheco Pass. Near the summit the RPM increased, but we slowed down. The rear view mirror showed a thick white cloud following us. We had just made the summit when forward progress stopped. I shut down, & we bailed out to sizzling noises & the stink of hot oil.

When the sizzling stopped, & no flames appeared, I started the engine, & shifted into gear, but the rig wouldn't move. We had barely passed the summit, & the rig would roll so we coasted down with the engine running for brakes & steering. I don't know how far we coasted, but it seemed forever until I found a place with a phone. I called Good Sam (I had subscribed to their road service just before we left Indio) they towed me at no charge to a Cad dealer in Gilroy, but he had a long waiting list for tranny work. I paid for a tow to an independent shop, & three days later, 1400 bucks poorer, we were on the way home.

Moral of the story? For less than $100 I could have installed a temp. gauge. I religiously eyeball my gauges, & that would have alerted me in time to prevent the disaster.

Yeah, get yourself a trans. temp. gauge if you don't already have one, & watch it religiously. Been there, done that.